I wasn't the first one to say "Space Jam" upon seeing the latest trailer for the GameCube version of NBA Street V3, but I probably won't be the last, either. The new trailer for the game features not only a realistic simulacrum of Carmelo Anthony, but also Mario, Princess Peach, and Luigi in all their cartoonish glory. Now, we knew about the appearance of this cast of "Nintendo All-Stars" a few weeks ago but, upon seeing it in action for the first time, it's still a bit surreal. The cartoony Nintendo icons jumping and triple jamming their way around the realistic urban street court, amidst real NBA ballers, looks a little disconnected to my eyes...

　　While the idea of Mario and company rolling around on a basketball court is not a bad idea by any measure--especially if done with the same care and love found in Mario Power Tennis--what I've seen so far of the gang's appearance in the GameCube version of NBA Street V3 seems, well, odd and a bit tacked on.

　　That said, as long as these characters--regardless of appearance--control well and the game is fun, then all my griping is moot. I seem to remember "Space Jam" doing pretty well at the box office, after all...