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Platform: Xbox 360
Rating: 9.2 | 0 User Reviews | Send to Friend
By Scott Hesel
Ever since Double Dribble arrived on the NES, basketball games have been fatally flawed in some way or another. From the choppy movements of the Lakers vs. Celtics series, to the ice skates of the 16 and 32-bit NBA live games, the complex finesse game of basketball never quite translated to consoles. Even last generation’s 2K vs. Live rivalry never produced a truly great representation of basketball, as the former’s meticulous dedication to realism suffocated the improvisational aspects of the game, while the latter’s arcade mechanics allowed you to produce regular 30-point games with Michael Olowokandi. Luckily, the 2K series has gotten it all right with its third attempt on the Xbox 360. With a wide array of responsive post moves, the ability to control off the ball players, give-and-go passing, and the effectiveness of the shot-stick in delivering finishing moves on drives to the basket, there are many realistic and satisfying ways to score here. Players pretty much perform to their strengths and weaknesses, ie don’t try completing that pick’n’roll with Joel Przybilla. The only real on-court flaw is the difficulty of pulling off quick defensive player-control switches, resulting in a few too many cheap baskets for the computer. Outside the court, there are plenty of the usual bells and whistles, but the sheer depth of “The Association” franchise mode puts 2K 9 among the greats in that category, so long as you’re not expecting Darius Miles to be happy with his role on your team as the 15th man. Finally, any basketball title that features The Meters’ song “Sissy Strut” over the PA system during the game is a winner in my book.
GAME PLAY: 8.9
The closest a basketball game has gotten yet in producing a realistic representation of the offensive game. The defensive player-control switching can be frustrating at times, however.
GRAPHICS: 9.5
Player models are incredibly realistic, and the crowd, coaches, and mascots correspond well to their real-life counterparts.
SOUND: 8.8
Crowd noise really follows the ebb-and-flow of the game. Soundtrack is killer. Players need to communicate and trash talk more.
VALUE: 9.6
“The Association” is one of the better franchise modes ever created.
OVERALL: 9.2
Best b-ball game on the planet for now.
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