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NBA 2K

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When it comes to digital hoop action, there's no doubt that NBA 2K sports the most luscious visuals ever seen in a basketball game. It's not the best-playing basketball game out there, as it does commit some serious fouls with its questionable artificial intelligence. But like NFL 2K before it, this is yet another sports game that Dreamcast owners will want to show off to friends.
The clean graphics show some extremely well-detailed players, stadiums, fans, and even coaches. While the player animations aren't quite smooth as glass (there are quite a few speed-ups and slowdowns), the players do move in a fairly realistic manner. When you see the instant replay of your favorite power forward delivering a massive dunk, you'll cheer. To complement the visuals, Sega has added play-by-play and color commentary to document the on-screen action. While this does get a little repetitive, this feature ultimately adds to the atmosphere of realism.
NBA 2K shows some trouble with controls. This is most apparent in handling loose balls. You'll cringe as you occasionally watch long passes sail out of the court, resulting in mindless turnovers. This is especially painful to watch when the Dreamcast can't complete passes to computer-controlled players. These stupid turnovers can, will, and do affect a game's final score--and have even caused a few games to be restarted in disgust. On the positive side, NBA 2K contains a new finesse-based method of hitting foul shots that requires that you squeeze the control triggers in near perfect synch.
The create-a-player and coaching options make it relatively easy to lead your team from postseason TV watchers to championship ring owners.
While the 2000 season's prettiest basketball game offers more than just the most delicious eye candy, there is still a lingering feeling that NBA 2K could've been much better with a little more fine-tuning. At the very least, while NBA 2K is recommended, it is anticipated that the successor NBA 2K1 will offer even more backboard-breaking fun. --Mark Brooks
Pros:
- Spectacular graphics that show plenty of detail
- Play-by-play and color commentary add to the fun
- Easy to play, but different from most console roundball games
- Foul shots are a highlight
Cons:
- Graphics suffer from occasional slowdown for no apparent reason
- Controls could be stronger
NBA 2K2

sega
NBA Showtime: LA Lakers vs New York Knicks

Midway Entertainment
Showing off the extreme attitude of the arcade smash hit NBA Jam, Midway's NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC brings intense two-on-two arcade-style hoops to the Dreamcast. The emphasis is on fanatical basketball, with gravity-defying dunks and over-the-top animations. The game lets you select from 140 actual superstars representing all 29 NBA teams. Throw in wacky unlockable players such as team mascots and characters from other Midway games, and NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC is a fun departure from the more down-to-earth basketball simulations.
Complementing the goofy gameplay is a feature-rich player editor, where you can customize everything from your created player's height, weight, and ability to clothing and facial features. With a TV-style presentation and impressive visuals, this is one hoops game that any arcade sports fan will enjoy. Simply put, if you liked NBA Jam, you'll love NBA Showtime. --Sajed Ahmed
Pros:
- Remarkable in-game graphics, and even more impressive replays
- Detailed sideline commentary
- 4-player simultaneous action makes it a great party game
- Endorsed by Shaquille O'Neal--what more could you want?
Cons:
- 2-on-2 arcade basketball has been around forever
- Shallow arcade play, without lasting depth or long-term playability
NBA 2K1

"Sega of America, Inc."
NBA Hoopz
NBA Hoopz is strictly for the basketball fan who thinks the sport is all about spectacular dunks, lots of shoving, and little or no strategy. With the goofy gameplay and hyper-exaggerated NBA player renderings, b-ball purists probably will (and should) dismiss this as the dumbest of arcade games.
Hoopz is basically the latest generation of basketball games in the ultra-arcadey NBA Showtime or NBA Jam vein and has little in common with the more accurate NBA simulations out there. In most respects it plays slightly better than the older arcade-style titles, if only because Hoopz is a three-on-three game.
Most gamers will immediately notice the enlarged heads and huge biceps on even the lankiest of NBA players. Also, the fast-paced action basically centers on hurling the ball around the court as quickly as possible without any regard for complicated play calling. In fact, most ballers can easily jump 25 feet above the rim for ridiculous, death-defying dunks that, of course, deliver the ultimate in sports fantasy.
Unlike most of the 2001 season of "real" basketball games for the system, Hoopz stretches gameplay with a few mini games. Included are variants on 21, Around the World, Three-Point Contest, and even the old-school 2Ball that features two-on-two team play. There are also unlockable courts for you to find. You can also easily create your own players and cause havoc throughout the NBA with wild league trades and customizations.
While the courts and backgrounds are decently drawn, the player models are disappointingly blocky and fail to capitalize on the system's power. Hoopz gives players a backward walk and the give-and-go, among other moves, but the game's emphasis on shoving, steals, and strategy-defying action confounds these nuances. --Mark Brooks--This text refers to the PlayStation2 version of the game.
Pros:
- Very easy to play
- Mini games and unlockable courts
- Strictly for basketball neophytes
Cons:
- Cartoony player graphics are uninspired
- Little to no strategy required, which kills off longevity
- Possibly too silly for its own good
ESPN NBA 2 Night
NBA 2K1 - Parent

SPIG