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.

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. [ [http://2ksports.com/games/nba2k7/#features NBA 2K7 Playstation 3 Features] www.2ksports.com]

eries Features and Awards

NBA 2K7

*Received no awards.
*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. [ [http://gametrailers.com/player/22838.html NBA 2K8 Dunk Contest Walkthrough] www.gametrailers.com] (only on next gen version)
*Features New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul on the cover.

NBA 2K9

*Due for an October 7th [ [http://xbox360.ign.com/objects/954/954501.html IGN.com] ] , 2008 release. [ [http://palgn.com.au/article.php?id=8472&sid=d8b20c1a4adef4917ff6b2ccf2ec4d0b&title=Manhunt+2+dropped+from+Take+Two+release+schedule Manhunt 2 dropped from Take Two release schedule - Nintendo Wii News - Australia's PAL Gaming Network ] ]
*Features Kevin Garnett on the cover [ [http://www.gamercenteronline.net/2008/06/05/kevin-garnett-cover-athlete-for-nba-2k9/ Kevin Garnett Cover Athlete for NBA 2K9] GamerCenterOnline] [ [http://www.operationsports.com/newspost.php?id=250054 NBA 2K9 Cover Athlete Announcement] Operation Sports]

*NBA2K9 have a few more promising features than last year’s predecessor. Introducing seamless player information updates and improved feedback systems are on the agenda for the first time from this franchise. Rated the best basketball simulation for the last seven years, 2K has redesigned much of its franchise. With this latest release there is much more focus on creating an online community.
*2K will employ people who constantly analyze statistics from the real world and commute them into this basketball simulation. The consumer will then be able to offer instant feedback for these employees on how to better create the most realistic basketball simulation as possible.
* The soundtrack includes: [http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3170377] ::"Root Down" by Beastie Boys, "Dem Nah Ready fe We" by Blackwizard, "Duke Of Hazzard" by Blockhead, "Mac Mac" by Bloody Beetroots, "Sofa King" by Dangerdoom, "You Dont Love Me (No, No, No) (Extended Mix)" by Dawn Penn, "RootZilla Beez" by DJ Rasta Root, "In Yo Face" by DJ UNK, "Going On" by Gnarls Barkley, "That Undaground (Remix)" by Jamalski, "Sharpdrest" by Mochipet, "Pretty Loser" by Mommy and Daddy "Silly Putty" by Money Mark, "Spaz" by N.E.R.D., "Funky In the Middle" by Nickodemus, "Creator" by Santogold featuring Switch and Freq Nasty, "Light the Fuse" by Skeewiff, "Loose (instrumental)" by Spank Rock and Benny Blanco, "Jump 'N' Move" by The Brand New Heavies, "2K Pennies" by The Cool Kids, "Coleen" by The Heavy, "Moving Closer to The Sofa" by The Limp Twins, "Cissy Strut" by The Meters, "Passin' Me By" by The Pharcyde, "Step Back (Deekline and Ed Solo Remix)" by Ursula 1000

Minimum Requirements:OS: Windows Vista, XP, or 2000 CPU | CPU: Pentium 4 2.4 Ghz Single Coreprocessor or equivalent (2.8 Ghz for Vista) RAM: 512 MB or more (1 GB for Vista) Disc Drive: 8x orfaster DVD drive | Hard Drive: 10.5 GB or more free space | Video: DirectX 9.0c compatible * | Sound:DirectX 9.0c compatible | Input: Keyboard or dual-analog gamepad
* Video card with 128 MB or more memory and one of the following chipsets is required: ATI x1300or greater | NVIDIA 6600 or greater | DirectX 9.0c compatible card with Shader Model 3.0 support.

*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

Notes

* 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

* [http://www.rocketxl.com/nba2k8 NBA 2K8 Media-player widget]
* [http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/n/nba2k9/ XBOX.com]
* [http://www.operationsports.com/index.php?filter=Basketball&sportid=3/ "NBA 2K9" Updates]
* [http://www.xbox360achievements.org/game/nba-2k9/achievements/ "NBA 2K9" Achievements]
* [http://www.theotherseason.com/#/about/ "The Other Season"]
* [http://www.sportsgamer.com/content/2252/nba-2k9-power-forward-ratings/ "NBA 2K9 Power Forward Ratings"]
* [http://www.sportsgamer.com/content/2253/nba-2k9-center-ratings/ "NBA 2K9 Center Ratings"]
* [http://www.sportsgamer.com/content/2240/nba-2k9-small-forward-ratings/ "NBA 2K9 Small Forward Ratings"]
* [http://www.sportsgamer.com/content/2238/nba-2k9-shooting-guard-ratings/ "NBA 2K9 Shooting Guard Ratings"]
* [http://www.sportsgamer.com/content/2237/nba-2k9-point-guard-ratings/ "NBA 2K9 Point Guard Ratings"]

References