ESPN NBA Basketball

Install Game

Click the "Install Game" button to initiate the free file download and get compact download launcher. Locate the executable file in your local folder and begin the launcher to install your desired game.

a game by	Visual Concepts
Genre:	Sports
Platforms:	XBox, Playstation 2
Editor Rating:	8.5/10, based on 2 reviews
User Rating:	8.0/10 - 3 votes
Rate this game:
See also:	Sport Games, Basketball Video Games

ESPN NBA Basketball is a video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by Sega. The game was released in 2003 and was available on PlayStation 2 and Xbox. ESPN NBA Basketball aimed to provide players with a realistic basketball experience, featuring real NBA players and teams. The game received critical acclaim for its gameplay mechanics, graphics, and presentation. Even with that, we don’t see more NBA games coming out with this title anymore, and it is always interesting to see in sports games. So, what’s this game all about?

Gameplay and Mechanics

ESPN NBA Basketball's gameplay mechanics were designed to be as realistic as possible, giving players an authentic basketball experience. The game's controls were easy to learn but difficult to master, allowing players to perform a wide range of moves and tricks on the court. The game featured a variety of game modes, including quick play, season mode, and online play.

One of the unique features of ESPN NBA Basketball was the "IsoMotion" system. This system allowed players to perform a wide range of dribble moves and fakes, giving them the ability to create their own shot opportunities. The game also featured a "freestyle control" system, which allowed players to perform various tricks and maneuvers with the ball.

The game's presentation was also noteworthy, with realistic player models and animations that made the game feel like a real NBA game. The game's commentary, provided by ESPN announcers, added to the realism and immersion of the game.

How does it compare to other similar games?

ESPN NBA Basketball can be compared to NBA 2K, another popular basketball video game franchise. While both games offer a realistic basketball experience, NBA 2K has improved on the gameplay mechanics and presentation over the years, making it the more polished and immersive game. NBA 2K also has a wider range of game modes and customization options, making it more appealing to players who want to experience different aspects of basketball.

Review: 8/10

Overall, ESPN NBA Basketball was a groundbreaking game that provided players with an authentic basketball experience. The game's realistic gameplay mechanics, controls, and presentation were impressive for its time and set a standard for future basketball video games.

While the game's graphics and sound effects may not be up to par with modern games, ESPN NBA Basketball still holds up as a fun and challenging game.

Pros:

ESPN NBA Basketball's gameplay mechanics were realistic and challenging, allowing players to experience an authentic basketball game.
The game's controls were easy to learn but difficult to master, providing players with a sense of progression and skill development.
The game's presentation was top-notch, with realistic player models, animations, and commentary that added to the immersion of the game.

Cons:

The game's graphics, while impressive for its time, are now outdated and may not be appealing to modern gamers.
The game's online mode, while innovative for its time, may not be functional anymore due to the game's age.
The game's sound effects, such as the sound of the ball bouncing and the crowd noise, could become repetitive over time.

Overall rating: 8

Download ESPN NBA Basketball

XBox

Install Game

System requirements:

PC compatible
Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Playstation 2

Install Game

System requirements:

PC compatible
Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Game Reviews

People say:

The name change from 2Kto ESPN hasn't affected the quality of this basketball package, and it's a pretty package indeed. ESPN easily shines as the best-looking b-ball game this year--everything from the superdetailed player models to TV-perfect ESPN presentation looks stellar. Eye-candy aside, the gameplay actually i borrows a choice page from NBA Live's book by introducing dribbling moves via the right analog stick. Though not as extensive a repertoire as EA's bailer, these crossovers and spins help open up gameplay and accelerate the tempo. Yet, ESPN truly shines with its innovative 24/7 mode. Create a player from scratch and unlock all sorts of goodies by completing drills and challenges against past and present NBA greats. Like me, you'll keep cornin' back for more as special events (synched to your console's internal clock) become available on select dates. Minor problems arise--the camera's not close enough to the court, and players far from the ball often stand around like statues--but otherwise, ESPN's hardwood remains the place for shootin' hoops.

Back with the ESPN name and presentation, Sega's already-great game matures even further. Obvious enhancements include better animations (like uniforms that adapt to player movement), a more user-friendly approach to defense, and a redefined free-throw system, but the secret of ESPN's continued court dominance lies in its perfect pace of play. Go to a real NBA game (or watch on television if you live in the sticks or don't have the scratch) and you'll see the exact feel and gait simulated in this game.

ESPN makes strides toward being a perfect simulation of professional basketball, but until the developers master the riddle of team A.I. (players here don't always respond properly in certain situations), work remains undone. Even so, this year's model is great--improved fastbreaks impart a much quicker and smoother feel to the action, the new 24/7 mode offers incredible fun and depth, and online play works quite well. Overall, it's one of the best basketball games released to date.

Overall rating: 9