Microsoft has gone and done it...they've made a basketball game that seriously competes with everything on the market -- even NBA 2K2. Microsoft's first basketball offering, developed by High Voltage Software, boasts tight controls, excellent graphics, signature moves, and heaps of fun. To be honest, I haven't been able to tear myself away from this game for the last three weeks. Of course, doing what I do, this can only mean one thing: I had to write a mini-guide to pass what I've learned on to you. The guide covers basic techniques that will help you shut down opposing offenses and earn mad points. We've also got a full slate of secrets to make your Driving experience all the more enjoyable.

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To make it so that your players never tire, go to the Codes screen in the Options menu and enter the code CARDIOMAN.

To play with a soccer ball, enter the code HOOLIGAN at the Codes screen of the Options menu.

To unlock the Xbox ball, go to the Codes screen in the Options menu and enter the phrase BACHMAN.

To make all of the players on the court miniature, go to the Codes screen in the Options menu and enter the phrase SMALLSHOES.

To play with the WNBA ball (white and orange), go to the Codes screen in the Options menu and enter the code GOTGAME. To turn the code off again, reenter the code.

To play with the best basketball ever made, the red-white-and-blue ABA Ball, go to the Codes screen in the Options menu and enter this code: OLDSCHOOL. Enter the code again to turn it off.

To unlock the Chicago Skyline court, go to the Codes screen in the Options menu. Enter the code WINDYCITY to unlock the Chicago Skyline court. You can only use it in Exhibition mode. Enter the code a second time to erase its effects.

To unlock the 8-Ball, go to the Cheats screen in the Options menu and enter the phrase GAMEOVER. This will make the ball appear as an 8-Ball.

To perform easier alley-oops, go to the Codes screen in the Options menu. Enter the code IGOTHOPS to activate the cheat.

To perform easier three pointers, go to the Codes screen in the Options menu. Enter the code THREE4ALL to activate the cheat.

To make trading much, much easier, go to the Codes screen in the Options menu. Enter the code GIMMETHAT to activate the cheat.

To play with a beach ball, go to the Codes screen in the Options menu. Enter the code SANDINMYSHORTS to activate the cheat.

To play with a volleyball, go to the Codes screen in the Options menu. Enter the code SPIKEIT to activate the cheat.