It is the first video game to be developed internally at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.

NBA ShootOut is a game which features polygon generated basketball players with motion-captured animation.

[11] While he noted sometimes inaccurate controls and glitchy sound effects, Scary Larry of GamePro gave the game a strong recommendation, citing the roster of real players, realistic features, beautiful polygonal graphics, and fluid animation.

Both agreed that the graphics are impressive, but Dindo Perez argued that "Shootout should have played greater emphasis on gameplay", saying it is not realistic enough, whereas Video Cowboy asserted "the game has solid gameplay and a big-league look.

However, he felt the gameplay was decent and the options and player roster were impressive, and concluded "NBA Shoot Out doesn't unseat NBA Live 96 as the basketball sim champ, but it has definitely raised the stakes for next year's battle."