NBA 2K
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.
History
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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. NBA 2K7 features many minor problems, or glitches. One of these is during game play the announcers voices will become suddenly silent and the crowd will make a constant sound. The sound made is "Eeeeeeee".
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.[1]
Series Features and Awards
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.[2] (only on next gen version)
- Features New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul on the cover.
NBA 2K9
- Due for an October 7th[3], 2008 release.[4]
- Features Kevin Garnett on the cover[5][6]
- Features List: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/n/nba2k9/
- Screenshots: http://media.ps3.ign.com/media/954/954500/imgs_1.html
- Videos: Teaser I: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/38325.html, Teaser II: http://www.gametrailers.com/player/38325.html
Games in the Franchise
Title | Publisher | Cover | Release Date - Platform | Innovation |
---|---|---|---|---|
NBA 2K | Sega Sports | Allen Iverson | 11/10/1999 - Sega Dreamcast[7] | |
NBA 2K1 | Sega Sports | Allen Iverson | 11/1/2000 - Sega Dreamcast[8] | Network mode for internet play |
NBA 2K2 | Sega Sports | Allen Iverson | 10/24/2001 - Sega Dreamcast[9] 1/12/2002 - PlayStation 2[10] 2/27/2002 - Xbox[11] 3/20/2002 - GameCube[12] |
|
NBA 2K3 | Sega Sports | Allen Iverson | 10/7/2002 - GameCube[13] 10/8/2002 - PlayStation 2[14] 10/9/2002 - Xbox[15] |
|
ESPN NBA Basketball | Sega Sports | Allen Iverson | 10/21/2003 - PlayStation 2[16] 10/22/2003 - Xbox[17] |
NBA player face scans, 24/7 mode, Isomotion |
ESPN NBA 2K5 | Sega Sports | Ben Wallace | 9/28/2004 - Xbox[18] 9/30/2004 - PlayStation 2[19] |
The Association mode |
NBA 2K6 | 2K Sports | Shaquille O'Neal | 9/26/2005 - PlayStation 2[20] 9/26/2005 - Xbox[21] 11/16/2005 - Xbox 360[22] |
Shot Stick Controls |
NBA 2K7 | 2K Sports | Shaquille O'Neal | 9/25/2006 - PlayStation 2[23] 9/25/2006 - Xbox[24] 9/25/2006 - Xbox 360[25] 11/13/2006 - PlayStation 3[26] |
Signature animations, 2K Reel Maker |
NBA 2K8 | 2K Sports | Chris Paul | 10/2/2007 - PlayStation 2[27] 10/2/2007 - PlayStation 3[28] 10/2/2007 - Xbox 360[29] |
Blacktop Mode, Hotspots |
NBA 2K9 | 2K Sports | Kevin Garnett |
== Notes == 10/7/2008
- 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.
External links
References
- ^ NBA 2K7 Playstation 3 Features www.2ksports.com
- ^ NBA 2K8 Dunk Contest Walkthrough www.gametrailers.com
- ^ [http://xbox360.ign.com/objects/954/954501.html IGN.com
- ^ Manhunt 2 dropped from Take Two release schedule - Nintendo Wii News - Australia's PAL Gaming Network
- ^ Kevin Garnett Cover Athlete for NBA 2K9 GamerCenterOnline
- ^ NBA 2K9 Cover Athlete Announcement Operation Sports
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/198053.asp?q=nba%202k GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/913950.asp GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/516692.asp?q=nba%202k2 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/535205.asp?q=nba%202k2 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/535399.asp?q=nba%202k2 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/535395.asp?q=nba%202k2 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/561228.asp?q=nba%202k3 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/561227.asp?q=nba%202k3 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/561226.asp?q=nba%202k3 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/914722.asp?q=ESPN%20NBA%20Basketball GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/914723.asp?q=ESPN%20NBA%20Basketball GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/920672.asp?q=NBA%202k5 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/920671.asp?q=NBA%202k5 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/928299.asp?q=NBA%202k6 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/928300.asp?q=NBA%202k6 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/928263.asp?q=NBA%202k6 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/934521.asp?q=NBA%202k7 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/934522.asp?q=NBA%202k7 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/932864.asp?q=NBA%202k7 GameRankings.com
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- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/939853.asp?q=NBA%202k8 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/939854.asp?q=NBA%202k8 GameRankings.com
- ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/939852.asp?q=NBA%202k8 GameRankings.com