NBA 2K2 for PlayStation 2

NBA 2K2 features all the teams, rosters, and, most importantly, rule changes (like the now-legal zone defense) found in the real NBA. Player faces have been mapped to realistic body types (complete with tattoos), so you can identify a big man like Shaq or a speedster like Iverson without looking at their numbers. The game takes full advantage of the graphics-rendering power of advanced consoles by including better texturing, lighting effects, facial animations, and a higher polygon count to make sure all the jukes, spins, jumps, and dunks are as realistic as possible. The audio is also good, particularly the play-by-play, which is accurate and speedy.

The controls are intuitive--even for people used to the Dreamcast--especially in the area of on-the-fly play calling. You can now use the right analog stick instead of the digital pad, so you don't have to take your thumb off the main controls (left analog stick) to call a new play or change formations. Other controls let you quickly and fluidly box out your opponent, spin, shoot, pass, fake, and dunk.

There are also eight street-ball courts, and this addition makes for an almost entirely new game. In this respect, it is the equal of the EA Sports NBA Live series. But NBA 2K2 surpasses EA's title with its excellent AI. This game is challenging, satisfying, and fun in both single and multiplayer modes. --Bob Andrews

Pros:

• Gorgeous graphics
• Intuitive controls
• Great AI

• A release date too long aft
  
  Amazon.com Review
  When Sega decided to discontinue the Dreamcast, it opted to make its excellent sports titles available for other consoles. And not a moment too soon. Competition is always a good thing, and Sega Sports titles, including NBA 2K2, are some of the best in the business.

  NBA 2K2 features all the teams, rosters, and, most importantly, rule changes (like the now-legal zone defense) found in the real NBA. Player faces have been mapped to realistic body types (complete with tattoos), so you can identify a big man like Shaq or a speedster like Iverson without looking at their numbers. The game takes full advantage of the graphics-rendering power of advanced consoles by including better texturing, lighting effects, facial animations, and a higher polygon count to make sure all the jukes, spins, jumps, and dunks are as realistic as possible. The audio is also good, particularly the play-by-play, which is accurate and speedy.

  The controls are intuitive--even for people used to the Dreamcast--especially in the area of on-the-fly play calling. You can now use the right analog stick instead of the digital pad, so you don't have to take your thumb off the main controls (left analog stick) to call a new play or change formations. Other controls let you quickly and fluidly box out your opponent, spin, shoot, pass, fake, and dunk.

  There are also eight street-ball courts, and this addition makes for an almost entirely new game. In this respect, it is the equal of the EA Sports NBA Live series. But NBA 2K2 surpasses EA's title with its excellent AI. This game is challenging, satisfying, and fun in both single and multiplayer modes. --Bob Andrews

  Pros:

  • Gorgeous graphics
  • Intuitive controls
  • Great AI
  Cons:
  • A release date too long after the start of the NBA season
  
  
  Amazon.com Product Description
  NBA 2K2 makes its way onto your PlayStation2 with detailed player models and a smarter AI for improved team rotation, rebounding, and all-around defense. Rosters, arenas, team uniforms, and signature moves are fully updated for the 2001-2002 season. New playbooks and a new play-calling system let you dominate your opponents more than ever before. The upgraded steal system will likely add more turnovers to the game, while a revamped low-post game ups the pressure on the defense. New NBA rules make it possible to play man or zone defense. This title also offers an expanded crossover game that increases one-on-one gameplay, depth, and strategy. Experience the thrill of playing at both NBA arenas and legendary street courts such as Philadelphia's Hank Gathers Rec Center and Oakland's Mosswood Park. NBA 2K2's broadcast presentation, cutaways, and commentary complete your NBA experience.
  
  

It's rarely unbelievable for a game to increase its success that long BUT when it is that good, YOU WILL have to expect a month or two in order to hit the gamestore shelves!

Really the time is fast, but that's the reason with NBA 2K2, with fast-paced gameplay and easy-to-grasp controls where can you find a game this good in any other store? None.

I like the graphics, despite the gameplay becoming very easy to learn from and to play; they look so cool, and everything seems realistic, even the player models and faces, it really makes me feel like I'm in heaven!

The sound is also amazing, with exciting crowds and slick shoes, and also high flying rim-rattling dunks, it's all inside, so what are you waiting for, go get your copy now!!

Overall I like this game, it is simply the best basketball game to date; a lot of people hate these types of games just because they have no gaming taste, but me as a gamer, I love it and it is highly recommended to one of my best friends, Yusef, I give this great game five stars!


nuttin but da best   April 7, 2003
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This game is ausome.All I can say is I love it.Especially the street ball games.I love dunkin it with Tmac.I'm a boy who likes the temptations.And why you ask?Because that's my style.The temptations keep me rockin and I love the way it happens.I'm a boy called Johnny Joe Hanson.Hey,dat's my name,don't wair it out.They call me Hot Stuff.Why?Because I said so.See later alligator.


Lots of fun!   February 27, 2003
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I enjoy playing the season mode. It has good graphics, replays and it's easy to play, even my 5 year old can play it. We share time together playing either at any arenas or at parks or gyms. After a while commentators run out of phrases and some little glitches in their comments, but that doesn't affect gameplay. You can now get it as a Greatest hits for less than half the original price.


A really great game   September 24, 2002
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Now normally I'm a fan of the NBA Live series, I even hung onto my little 16 Bit Sega for it and I have to say, NBA 2K2 is just awesome. It's in my opinion, it's just better than the NBA Live series on the thought that it's challenging and even very difficult in some parts such as the free throws, banging inside for a basket and even driving to the hole to throw up a cool lay up. In NBA Live, even with me picking some of the worst teams on the game, I can still score 128+ points in 10 minute quarters. When I played NBA 2K2, I actually lost and it didn't feel all that bad because it was nice to have a challenge for once.

You gotta love the Street Ball option. It's fun and a lot more diverse than on NBA Live. All in all, I give this a thumbs up and definately wait for NBA 2K3 to come out because you won't be disappointed. Happy gaming!


NBA 2K2 is off the hook!   August 10, 2002
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

NBA 2K2 is the best SIMULATION NBA game out there! NBA 2K3 will also take NBA Live 2003 out of play! I got NBA 2K2 for my birthday, and i am so supprised by the graphics that are shown in play. Now if u want an ARCADE NBA game, go for NBA Street, or Street Hoops when that comes out. thnx for reading my review and i hope u found this helpful before u buy it!