Conquest Mode works pretty much the same way it did in last year's game, with players going for domination over basketball territories to create their own conglomerate. However, this year's edition sweetens the pot with rewards, as players pass around attributes to improve their players. They also have management duties on hand with Season Mode, carefully watching over team chemistry and free agents. Furthermore, pick-up games and ladder challenges are also available.

In terms of presentation, the game does reasonably well. Although every aspect of the basketball engine hasn't come completely full circle (players don't look that great up close), the action runs at a brisk 60 frames per second, with multiple camera options available. The commentary is pretty good, and not nearly as bad and repetitive as it is in its PS3 counterpart.

In addition, NBA 08 has impressive wireless support. Players can hop online, download new pinball tables and hook up with fellow players via AdHoc and Infrastructure. This eliminates some of the pain that the AI brings, although not all of it. What's the point of setting up computer-driven defensive players around the basket if Jermaine O'Neal is able to waltz in -- every single damn time -- to score an easy bucket? Brick walls would've been] more effective.

SCEA San Diego has made minor improvements to NBA 08, but not where they were most necessary. A sports game needs formidable opposition, but not the type that completely dashes out the hopes of any kind of victory. The mini-games and Conquest Mode make it worth a rental, although it feels rather stupid to recommend an NBA game for something other than basketball.