NBA 2K2 Review

For the past few years the NBA 2K series has been the undeniable king of video game hoops. Sega continues the tradition with another slam dunk title. Fortunately for non-Dreamcasters, NBA 2K2 was brought to the PS2. The opposite can be said for Dreamcasters, because NBA 2K2 is made basically the same way as the Dreamcast version of the game.

Incredibly, the PS2’s graphics are not much better than the Dreamcast version of the game. Actually, the graphics are almost identical, the crowd, courts, and players for the most part. The PS2 version does possess coaches, players, and cheerleaders who are all interactive on the side-lines. Unlike other b-ball titles, NBA 2K2 is all game. You don’t need over-the-top crap to make it a great sports simulator. Actually, the only good sports simulators are ones that take the game seriously.

The commentary gets old very quickly, with repetitive comments and dull jokes. Most of the sound will come from the player’s shoes (squeaks), loud fans yelling garbage, the crowd booing the opposing team, and the crowd screaming when you are on a roll.

The core of the game is the gameplay itself. Not only does the A.I. astonish, but it is actually difficult to defeat them if they are on “pro�. The game lets you wean your way into maturity by starting out in the rookie mode, and then they hammer you once you join the big boys. In pro, the computer uses new techniques, bumps up the skill level, and guards like a hawk. They are also very accurate at their fouls, especially last second intentional ones. Unfortunately, free throws are so simple, you are almost guaranteed the bucket.

NBA 2K2 has a slew of game play modes such as exhibition, season, practice, street, and franchise. As is, NBA 2K2 offers more than you could want in a game that you will only be playing until you earn enough money for 2K3 or 2K4 (once it comes out).