NBA 2k12 scores big

David Tepper, Journalism Class
February 6, 2012
Filed under Entertainment

The world’s best selling basketball videogame franchise, 2k Sports, has returned with another slam dunk. In spite of a labor lockout which lasted 149 days for the NBA, NBA’s 2K12’s sells continue to dominate.

The game was one of the most anticipated in all genres, not just sports. The cover features three of the NBA’s greatest players of all time displaying the Bulls’ Michael Jordan, Celtics’ Larry Bird, and the Lakers’ Magic Johnson.

The theme of NBA’s best players is prevalent throughout the game. One of the newest game modes is the NBA’s Greatest which features 15 of the league’s great players and their team’s stadiums and entire rosters.

In this game mode, you take control of legends such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chaberlin, Isaiah Thomas, and Hakeem Olajuwon just to name a few.

Once you beat the other team while controlling the legend’s team, both are unlocked for quick play.

The great thing about the NBA’s Greatest mode is the chance to compare different eras in basketball. How would the 2012 Miami Heat stack up against the most celebrated teams in NBA history such as the 1996 Bulls or 1986 Celtics? NBA 2k12 will end the debate.

The most impressive improvement over past NBA 2k games is the overall presentation. The main menu is better laid out and more convenient than last year’s game.

Kevin Harlan and Clark Kellogg return as the play-

by-play commentators along with the addition of Steve Kerr.

The new play-by-play analysis makes the game feel as if you are watching the game on TNT or ESPN, rather than a videogame. It is no longer the same repetitive clichés that made you turn down the game’s volume in years past.

While playing in the NBA’s Greatest, the presentation is morphed back to the teams being played era. For example, playing in the 1970’s match up of the Lakers versus Celtics is broadcast in black and white, missing a three-point line, and the audio sounds very old school with static in the background.

Just when fanatics of NBA 2k11 thought the game play couldn’t improve anymore, 2k found a way.

The graphics are a visible step up. The player’s body, face, and uniforms are about as close to real life as a video game could be. The online game play is also much smoother and experiences less lagging.

The biggest critique of 2k12 when it was released was the absence of all rookies due to the NBA’s lockout.

Now, however, the labor dispute is resolved and all rookies and their contracts have been updated through the Internet. The game is not flawless, but blemishes are few and far between.

Many have deemed it not only the best basketball, but best sports videogame of all time. I agree. The game is packed with new and updated features that will hold you over until 2k13.

Each year is seems fans of the NBA 2k Franchise are asking the same question each year. How can it possibly get any better next year?