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

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.

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. (only on next gen version)
• Features New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul on the cover.

NBA 2K9

• Due for an October 7th, 2008 release.
• Features Kevin Garnett on the cover

• 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
NBA 2K1	Sega Sports	Allen Iverson	11/1/2000 - Sega Dreamcast	Network mode for internet play
NBA 2K2	Sega Sports	Allen Iverson	10/24/2001 - Sega Dreamcast 1/12/2002 - PlayStation 2 2/27/2002 - Xbox 3/20/2002 - GameCube
NBA 2K3	Sega Sports	Allen Iverson	10/7/2002 - GameCube 10/8/2002 - PlayStation 2 10/9/2002 - Xbox
ESPN NBA Basketball	Sega Sports	Allen Iverson	10/21/2003 - PlayStation 2 10/22/2003 - Xbox	NBA player face scans, 24/7 mode, Isomotion
ESPN NBA 2K5	Sega Sports	Ben Wallace	9/28/2004 - Xbox 9/30/2004 - PlayStation 2	The Association mode
NBA 2K6	2K Sports	Shaquille O'Neal	9/26/2005 - PlayStation 2 9/26/2005 - Xbox 11/16/2005 - Xbox 360	Shot Stick Controls
NBA 2K7	2K Sports	Shaquille O'Neal	9/25/2006 - PlayStation 2 9/25/2006 - Xbox 9/25/2006 - Xbox 360 11/13/2006 - PlayStation 3	Signature animations, 2K Reel Maker
NBA 2K8	2K Sports	Chris Paul	10/2/2007 - PlayStation 2 10/2/2007 - PlayStation 3 10/2/2007 - Xbox 360	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

• NBA 2K8 Media-player widget
• XBOX.com