When I first got my Sega Dreamcast in November of 1999, the first game I picked up along with it was NBA 2K. I was amazed at the quality of the graphics, and as everyone knows, graphics sells (as opposed to sex sells). Yet, when I popped this disc in my new toy, I was not only amazed at the graphics, I was amazed at the features, amazed at the details, totally amazed (so I'm redundant). It does have it's quirks, but overall it's the best B-ball game of the Y2K games (even over NBA Live).
As with most basketball games, it comes with the usual features. You can just start off with a basic exhibition game (to get a feel of the game). There also is a customizable season mode, choosing between 82, 56, 28, and 14 game length. You also can go straight to the playoffs, picking between 7,5,3,or 1 game series. Obviously the shorter modes are in place for those without the patience to go the whole way (weenies).
Within the season and playoffs, there is excellent statistical tracking. Practically every imaginable statistic is counted, outside of fines, ejections and drug busts. League leaders are also tracked with outstanding quality, and also tracks stats by team (most points a game, field goal percentage, that stuff).
So, how does this game play? Once you get used to the control, rather well. It is only useable with the analog stick, so that's odd getting used to (unless you always used the analog on your PlayStation or N64). If you use the directional pad, all it does is call up a play screen (imagine me screaming for the player to move, then realizing I was using the d-pad!). There are also the usual show off moves, like crossovers and the sort. They aren't really necessary though. Shooting the ball does take a bit getting used to. If you wait too long, and release after the peak of your jump, you'll brick it. Either that, or it will get packed right back in your face (packed- read: block). Release it at the exact point and you'll do well. But, Shaq cannot hit three pointers!
The main quirks are evident. First, the goofy one. Say your opponent scores a basket. Well, no matter what, your center has to do the inbounds pass. Any basketball know-it-all knows that the center should be the first one down the floor! So here's Shaq stumbling back from half-court to do the inbounds pass. Very strange.
Two, the very odd and different. The free throw meter is very hard to get used to. You take the top R and L buttons and line two arrows up with them. Get them overlapping each other, and straight over the basket, and shoot. Easy right? Ha. Not easy. It requires an unbelievable amount of skill. I still can't average over 75 percent free throws in a season.
Now, to the graphics. Did I say they are amazing? They are. The courts are detailed to the last nitpicky detail. I mean every last touch is there! The courts shine like hardwood should. As for the actual players, wow! Each one has their actual face slapped straight on their head! Their body type is scaled exact as well. And, believe it or not, the coaches are in this game! Each coach is also scaled down to exact detail as the real person. Now THAT'S detail.
The sound is there, but it's a bit lacking. Outside of the rather lame menu music, there isn't any (outside of the player introductions. Did I mention those are amazing too?). The effects are cool though. The crowd is loud, cheering and booing when necessary. The players also squeak their shoes on the hardwood. It even has a good swishing sound! The PBP is alright, but not the greatest. Between the three big basketball games (Live 2000, Inside Drive 2000, and NBA 2K), they all tie for being average. They do call the game as they should, but do repeat a lot.
Oh yeah, one other thing that bugs me. This game, despite saying it takes 185 blocks on a VMU, uses about 191 actually. For those who don't have a Dreamcast, a VMU only has 200 blocks of memory. So, figure all that and you'll realize you need an extra VMU just for this game (like I did balancing seasons in NBA and NFL 2K). So really, you spend $50 for the game, and $20 for a VMU to save games on it.
On the whole though, NBA 2K is the best basketball game, at least on Dreamcast (comparing with NBA On NBC, that's not saying much). It' also the best b-ball game for any of the systems this year. If you like basketball, you'll love NBA 2K.
Sequel to the very popular Dreamcast basketball game NBA 2K Online play option allows you to compete with 8 Dreamcast players via the Internet Motion-...More at Amazon Marketplace
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