Shoeb's Full Review: NBA Inside Drive 2000 for Windows
Is it raining outside? Can't find anyone for the quick three on three? Do you just want to lace em up and grab the round ball for a game of 21 but don't have anyone to hoop it up with? I've got your solution. And I promise you won't have to pay more than a $20 to get the job done.
Ok...so I can't deliver with 9 guys knocking on your door or move you up to a spot on the next pick up game, but I can have you playing in the Forum as a player for the Lakers. Or the Bucks. Or any other NBA team and arena you can think off. It's called NBA Inside Drive 2000. It's more than just a PC competitor to NBA Live. Even though NBA Live may have more options, its hard to contest that Drive 2K doesn't deliver the graphics, arcade style 5 on 5 play, and great commentary.
For a mere $20, (or $15 in most places) you can play one of the most realistic arcade style hoop games on the market. Only the monopoly of Microsoft could bring you so much action for such a little penny. They have crammed in every player, active rosters (updates to come), a lot of signiture moves, dunk replays, all the arenas, a decent practice mode outside the arena, coaching strategy, and the voices of Kevin Colabro and color commentary by Marques Johnson.
Additionally they offer a variety of back down moves in the post, multiple deke moves, four difficulty levels, four modes of play from single game, season, playoffs and practice, and hundreds of NBA moves thanks to the awesome Ray Allen of the Bucks.
Graphically this is one of the most intense games I've seen. Just when I thought NFL Fever 2K had realistic looks, Inside Drive loads up with reflective floors (almost too real - the floors shine so good, you'd think they had the entire boys scout troop out there all the time buffing up the wood), players that really resemble their real life counterparts (Iverson still has the corn rows), and dunks that shatter the rim (just turn the sub up a little). The respective arenas even have championship banners hanging. Even the free throw angles keep changing to give you a TV style look. The sound continues to deliver with squeaking shoes on tight cuts to the hole, and the ball swishing through the net. The voice overs from the commentators don't get too out of hand, and they adjust for game stats and season stats (like Shaq's free throw shooting - MJ started dogging him at the beginning of the season with phrases like 'ok this should be interesting' but after I got the hang of it, MJ was saying 'this guy is automatic'). Although at times they can be annoying, I always find them saying a new phrase or comment with each game that I play.
Combined with the MS Gamepad (a must have), the play is really intuitive. The deke moves are easy to command and they work. And once you move the player in certain spots in the paint the auto moves kick in if its clear. If its good enough, then the replay will show you what a double pump dunk over two defenders would look like (try Kobe B. that boy's got mad hops).
There are deficits to the game though. Like not enough strategy. Play calling is hard to implement since you really can't practice them. The players seem to be a little too big for the court, so it becomes a little hard to manuver through traffic, and the difficulty levels are a little too biased one way or the other (on rookie you can beat a great team by 30-40, but on the harder levels you will find yourself losing by the same to the Mavericks (believe that)). Foul calling is sometimes suspect, but thats most games (just like life) but one suggestion would be to include more animations for the victims of charges (like falling if you get trucked). The shooting is a little tough to get a grip with and draining the three is even harder and it may take a little while before you get used to the free throw shooting. Don't expect to put yourself in the game as you can't create your own players. There aren't many general manager tools, except player trades and even then there are no dollar caps.
But, what Inside Drive lacks, it makes up for in game play. The AI is pretty good, although sometimes non franchise players will light it up on you. Teams play like they do in the NBA (Sacto Kings are amazing - White Chocalate J. Williams really does the behind the back passes, and keeps the tempo up throughout the game). For petes sake its the price of getting nachos and a drink at an NBA game. So I could list more problems, but the game is made for entry level PCers with the mind set of a video game console. So for a quick game when friends aren't willing, just hoop it up with the pros baby.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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