NBA 2k1

Hoops games are a dime a dozen these days, but very few have ever gotten it completely right. As such, the quest for the ultimate fa-ball game continues, and Sega Sports along with internal U.S. development team Visual Concepts, are throwing their hat into the ring with MBA 2000 (working title), Sega's 128-Bit, Dreamcast-powered basketball juggernaut.

Featuring 1600-1700 motion-captured animations, NBA 2000 displays some of the most realistic, lifelike movements yet found in a sports game. While there are still some issues regarding ball placement (players look like they're palming the ball at the moment), the graphics are astounding, from both the complexity of the player models (each face has been texture-mapped with the actual player's face, i.e., Latrell Sprewell looks like himself) to the exceptionally detailed arenas. Ad banners hang from the rafters and, should you want to, you can see all the way up to the ceiling via the free-roaming camera. To say the level of detail in the game is incredible would be an understatement. The crowd is made up of individual sprites as opposed to mooshy-looking blurs like you'll find on the PS or N64. Details like players tattoos will be in place, as will other things like hair, goggles, knee-pads, elbow pads, socks...you name it. In fact, the game is so detail-precise, if you use the camera to scrutinize even the most minute detail, zoom in on a player and you can see the little mesh-holes on his jersey. There are even polygonal coaches stalking the sidelines. Look out!

As previously stated, the number of motion-captured animations is staggering, but unlike many other mo-cap-heavy games, this does not compromise the control. Usually you have to wait until the end of a mo-cap sequence before you can enter another command, making gameplay often frustrating and unresponsive. In NBA 2000, every move is interruptible, making the video game as spontaneous as the real-life game. Going up for a lay-up or a slam, but think the traffic is a little too heavy? Then heave a no-look pass behind your back or dish to the open man flanking the perimeter, with no sacrifice in response time. Visual Concepts is also keeping the little things in mind, such as making iit easier to run down the baseline without going out of bounds while attempting a three from the corner.

Scheduled to arrive in time for the beginning of the next NBA season, NBA 2000 is going straight for the jugular, taking on the likes of NBA Live with extreme confidence. One of the most promising basketball games to come around in a long while, b-ball fans will want to pay close attention to how this one develops.

NBA 2K1 is a basketball simulation game developed by Visual Concepts and published by Sega. It was released for the Dreamcast console in 2000 and was one of the first sports games to feature online multiplayer functionality. NBA 2K1 is known for its realistic gameplay mechanics, impressive graphics, and extensive player customization options. It has since become a classic among basketball fans and is still regarded as one of the best sports games of all time.

Gameplay and Mechanics

NBA 2K1's gameplay mechanics are what make the game truly stand out. The game is incredibly realistic, with player movements and ball physics closely resembling those of a real basketball game. The controls are easy to pick up but take time to master, making the game accessible to players of all skill levels. The game's AI is also impressive, with computer-controlled teams playing with the same level of intelligence and strategy as their real-life counterparts.

One of the most significant improvements from previous iterations of the game is the inclusion of the Shot Stick feature, which allows players to perform a variety of shooting techniques by using the Dreamcast's analog stick. This feature adds a level of depth and strategy to the game that was not present in earlier versions.

NBA 2K1 offers several game modes that cater to different play styles. The most popular mode is the standard exhibition mode, where players can play a quick game against the computer or a friend. The game also includes a season mode where players can control their favorite NBA teams and compete in a full season with playoffs. The game's Franchise mode adds even more depth, allowing players to manage their team's finances, make trades, and sign free agents.

NBA 2K1's online multiplayer mode was also groundbreaking for its time, allowing players to connect to the internet and compete against others from around the world. This feature was especially impressive considering the Dreamcast was released in 1998, years before online gaming became widespread.

How does it compare to the modern ones?

While NBA 2K1 may not have the updated rosters and modern graphics of NBA 2K22, it still holds up remarkably well over 20 years later. In many ways, NBA 2K1 laid the groundwork for the modern basketball simulation game, with its realistic gameplay mechanics and extensive customization options. The game's online multiplayer functionality was also groundbreaking for its time and set the stage for the online multiplayer modes that are now a staple of modern sports games. While NBA 2K22 may have more features and updated rosters, NBA 2K1 is a classic that any basketball fan should play.

Review: 8.5/10

NBA 2K1 is a must-play for any basketball fan. Its realistic gameplay mechanics and impressive graphics make it one of the best sports games of all time.

Pros:

• Realistic gameplay mechanics
• Impressive graphics
• Extensive customization options
• Multiple game modes
• Online multiplayer functionality

Cons:

• Limited roster of teams and players
• Outdated graphics compared to modern basketball games

Like its NFL counterpart, NBA 2000's gonna raise the roof when console gamers get a look at its slick graphics. The player models sport an impressive level of detail--their faces are so realistic, you'll recognize famous athletes in a flash. Even the arenas look tight, from the scoreboard to the hometown crowds that cheer and boo the action. The game even features fully animated coaches, refs, and scorers tables. Best of all, Sega's promising a speed of 60 frames per second, which is wicked fast

As far as features go, details were still scarce at press time. Each team plays in the style of its real-life counterpart and NBA coaches designed the playbooks. Players will respond to in-game situations like their real-life counterparts, too...but that probably doesn't mean Rodman will take off mid-season to hit the craps tables in Vegas. Along with all the pros, NBA 2000 will also provide four-player action, trades, and season play. As long as the gameplay keeps up with the razzle-dazzle, NBA 2000 should tip off to plenty of interest from the hoops crowd.

The next generation of sports games for the Dreamcast will be hitting a virtual court near you this fall, starting with Visual Concepts' already outstanding-looking NBA 2000. Forget what you think you know about the graphics in hoops games--this title contains hyper-realistic eye-candy like you've never seen before. For starters, each athlete will be imbued with lifelike details, including accurate placement of wristbands, elbow pads, and even tattoos. Visual Concepts will also use eight body types instead of just one to accurately sculpt each player. Other projected graphical highlights include 100-plus dunk animations, authentic replications of every NBA stadium, coaches pacing the sidelines, a layered interactive 3D crowd, active scorers' tables, and more.

While NBA 2000 is still early in development, Visual Concepts is looking to round out the incredible graphics with competitive A.I. opponents that will play and react to in-game action with court smarts. It also plans to infuse each team with its appropriate playing style, so the Lakers use their run-and-gun offense, but the Heat use their slow-paced defense-first attack. This design plan gives NBA 2000 superstar potential.

Get ready to eat some Spalding-burgers online, as Visual Concepts brings NBA 2K1 out of your living room and on to SegaNet. One glance at the new features is enough to set any NBA thug wannabe's heart racing. Aside from the online play, there's a Street Mode (2-to-2 to 5-on-5) featuring some of the famous playground haunts nationwide. And you get 50 classic players who span five decades to choose from. Want a little online 2-on-2, Magic and Legend Larry vs. Vince Carter and Kevin Garnett? You got it.

Game engine refinements include a revamped passing system (no more pass to the outta-bounds ghost) and an expanded list of defensive moves (swat blocks, anyone?). For the proverbial icing on the cake, the number of funky flush dunks has been doubled to nearly 150. Finally, 2Ki's online lobby system promises some polish that its NFL cousin lacked, including the ability to check ping rates when you've been challenged. Aww yeah...look for Our Team bailers online by the end of October.

What's the deal?

We may sound like a broken record when we say, "It's the first insert sport here! to have online play for a console!" when we talk about Sega's sports games, but that's exactly what NBA 2K1 delivers. "Almost everyone who has tried the game online can barely detect a difference with offline play," says Visual Concepts' Rustin Lee. "Our game will not 'chug' unless your connection is horrible."

You might want to make sure you have some choice bandwidth because if NBA 2Ki's newfound depth pans out, you'll be burning up the phone lines while you learn the intricacies of the game. A new low-post game will let you bump, grind and drop step to the basket, while the refined passing system should help fast-breaks and halfcourt offenses operate more realistically. "We take pride in capturing the subtle nuances of the NBA that fans have grown to love about it," says Lee. We reckon fans'll grow to love NBA 2K1, too.

So why is it a must-get game?

The original NBA 2K had its flaws but showed immense potential as a next-generation basketball game. Just a modest amount of hoops time with the sequel online convinced us that this would not only be a novel online game to have, but a great hoops simulation as well.