NBA 2k2

How many different ways can I say a sports game is insanely good? NBA 2K2 has turned into a legitimate dynasty. Look the word up--it means the series is large and in charge (I'm so street), and will probably remain that way for several years to come. For the sake of people who have never played past editions (not everyone bought a Dreamcast), I won't compare too much. It's important to note, however, that no other PS2 bailer comes close. The presentation is simply incredible: The flickering reflections on the shiny court surfaces, the rowdy fans in the front rows, the hot-momma cheerleaders-they all look straight out of a TV broadcast. The players appear realistic and move naturally; they don't trot around like robots as in certain other PS2 BB sims. And the variety of animation is huge. It seems like every physical action is matched with the appropriate reaction. Two players collide, and it actually looks like there's real inertia at work (no human pinball here). To sum it up, NBA 2K2 does the little (and not so little) things so well, you're free to become totally immersed in the contest. I don't know how I could lay it out more simply than that, but that's the main reason it's so good. Multiplayer contests are, as always, the most entertaining way to play the game. Not to sound like a kiss ass, but it's great to finally have a high-caliber basketball franchise like this. Now the challenge will be keeping it fresh from season to season.

Basketball is a high-scoring game, which makes it ironic that most computer opponents don't have a clue on how to put points on the board. The 2K2 guys, however, can light it up with more ferocity than a pit bull at a beef jerky convention. First time on the court, they beat my cocky ass by 20. I made adjustments and still lost by 27. NBA 2K2 doesn't cheat to win. It makes that "extra pass" that TV announcers talk about to get to the hoop. The beauty of the game is that its sweet graphics and charged-up atmosphere make even losing fun. And if you can't beat the Lakers before long, well, have your little sister play against you for chrissakes.

It's a three-peat. This is the best damn basketball game out there, again. VC has owned the court since releasing NBA 2K back in 1999, and NBA 2K2 only takes the franchise to greater heights. Stunning player models and lifelike animation (aside from that silly steal lunge) grab your attention. Quick-hitting gameplay and a solid layer of depth keep you coming back for more. NBA 2K2 shines brightest in the multiplayer setting, but it's also a worthy single-player experience thanks to some nifty A.I. My one complaint, as is the case with most VC games, is that the Franchise mode needs to be more user-friendly. Other than that, this game is so money.