NBA 2K Series Overview
From Hoopedia
NBA 2K is a basketball video game series that was initially exclusive for the Sega Dreamcast starting in 1999. The series was originally published by Sega, under the label Sega Sports and developed by Visual Concepts.
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History
Sega had attempted to make two basketball game titles without the team licenses in Pat Riley Basketball in 1991 as well as David Robinson Basketball in 1992. Both titles were quasi-arcade-style, and neither captured the attention of the marketplace. It would be almost a decade before Sega re-entered the basketball video game market, with the NBA 2K series -- along with the full players' association license. Both the simulation style of play as well as modern 3D graphics would allow Sega to compete head-on with EA Sports for the first time.
The first four games of the series featured commentary from fictional announcers "Bob Steele" and "Rod West" (voiced by Bay Area sports radio personalities Bob Fitzgerald and Rod Brooks), but since NBA 2K3 the game's announcing team has been something of a revolving door, featuring commentary from the likes of Bill Walton, Tom Tolbert, Kevin Frazier, Michelle Tafoya, and Bob Fitzgerald. The color and play-by-play commentary in NBA 2K6, NBA 2K7, and NBA 2K8 is provided by Kenny Smith and Kevin Harlan, respectively. Craig Sager provides sideline reports. Peter Barto is the PA Announcer.
In 2002 Sega implemented the American television network, ESPN's brand with their Sega Sports video games. The ESPN brand was used for 3 games until ESPN signed a 15-year deal with EA Sports.
In 2005 Sega would later sell the NBA 2K series along with Visual Concepts to Take-Two Interactive. The series is currently published by 2K Sports, a publishing label started by Take-Two.
The PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 have superior visual graphics to their counterparts. The next generation consoles also added features that will improve game play and realism. These features are what set the game a part from past basketball games because they add so much depth to the game itself. NBA 2K7 has four bonus features for the next generation systems. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 capture every player’s unique style of game play, which they call Signature Style. For example, the game captures Allen Iverson's “killer” crossover and Shawn Marion’s unique shooting style. Shot Stick Pro is another feature added to the next-generation consoles. This feature allows you to control the different types of shots you can take at the basket. The shot selection varies from dunks, floaters, fade-ways, and many others. The Isolated Post Play features are captured post play moves that could be used to attack the basket. This feature is a branch from the Shot Stick Control. Isolated Post Play moves are drop steps, hook shots, and many more. These three features make the game real because it adds real moves you would actually see in the NBA. The last feature is the 24/7: Next mode for the next-generation consoles. This feature was originally on all consoles in the past, but now only found on the next-generation models. This certain mode is NBA 2K7’s story mode. In this mode you create your own character and play against NBA’s most elite in the street.
The PlayStation 3 version of NBA 2K7 was the first version to support motion sensing controllers with a free throw shooting mechanic that has the player move the Sony SIXAXIS controller in a motion similar to a real free throw shot.
NBA 2K
NBA 2K7
Received the IGN award for Best PlayStation 3 Sports Game of 2006. Features Shaquille O'Neal on the cover.
NBA 2K8
Features a Slam Dunk Contest & Three Point Contest mode similar to EA Sports NBA Live series (only on next gen version).
Features New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul on the cover.
The PS2 version of the game has a minor glitch in "The Association" game mode. The game MAY freeze up if any team is up by 1-3 points in any quarter.
NBA 2K9
Due for an October 3, 2008 release.
Games in the Franchise
Title Year Publisher Cover Platforms Innovation
- NBA 2K 1999 Sega Sports Allen Iverson Sega Dreamcast
- NBA 2K1 2000 Sega Sports Allen Iverson Sega Dreamcast Network mode for internet play
- NBA 2K2 2001 Sega Sports Allen Iverson Sega Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube
- NBA 2K3 2002 Sega Sports Allen Iverson PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube
- ESPN NBA Basketball 2003 Sega Sports Allen Iverson PlayStation 2, Xbox NBA player face scans, 24/7 mode, Isomotion
- ESPN NBA 2K5 2004 Sega Sports Ben Wallace PlayStation 2, Xbox The Association mode
- NBA 2K6 2005 2K Sports Shaquille O'Neal PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360 Shot Stick Controls
- NBA 2K7 2006 2K Sports Shaquille O'Neal PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360 Signature animations
- NBA 2K8 2007 2K Sports Chris Paul PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Signature animations, Blacktop Mode
- NBA 2K9 2008 2K Sports Dwight Howard Playstation 3, Xbox 360 TBA
Reception
X-Play gave both NBA 2K6 and NBA 2k8 for the Xbox 360 a 4/5.
Notes
Every game has featured the 2K Sports development team that made the game as an unlockable basketball team.
[Shaquille O'Neal] and Allen Iverson are the only players to appear on the edition of the game in consecutive years and Allen Iverson has appeared on the cover the most times.
Sonic the Hedgehog is an available create-a-team logo in some earlier versions of the game, acting as a reference to Sega, a company that merged with 2K.
NBA 2K and 2K1 for the Dreamcast became Sega All Stars titles. Due to the console's short lifespan in North America, few other Dreamcast games became Sega All Stars.
Each of the games has Legends Teams from each decade 60's, 70's 80' and 90's but the game does not feature Michael Jordan as a legend on any NBA2k except NBA 2k3.
