NBA 2K3

"The game's Sick Wit It, makes me wanna Skip To My Lou, and's fresh like Hot Sauce."

This game is amazing. No doubt, don't sleep on it, cuz if you have ANY interest in Round Ball, you're gonna wanna cop this game. Everything from realism, graphics, sound and gameplay is off the charts good, and improves on everything from last year's stellar NBA 2k2.

Realism: 10
This, in my opinion, is the most important part of a sport's game. I don't wanna be able to hit the trey with Shaq, just the same way I don't wanna be dunkin' with Steve Nash, know what I mean? in this game, Jason Kidd drops more dimes than a parapeligic cashier, Allen Iverson has more moves than a criminal who doubles as a belly dancer, and Tracy McGrady's game is as versatile as Brooke Burke's sex appeal(Sexy enough for men, but doesn't bother women too much). They have even some of the lesser known players (Tony Parker, Doug Christie, Jason Richardson, etc.)playing the way they play the game in real-life. The computer is great to play agaisnt, because it's almost as hard to shop Shaquille O'Neal in this game as it is real-life (don't quote me on that). It makes you have to become analytical, and actually use all the great coaching options to deny some of the great powers in the league.

Gameplay: 10
This is second only to the Realism of NBA 2k3. You have button combinations for cross-over (I like the turbo behind the back cross-over myself), although not as cool in concept as the NBA Live Freestyle set-up, is still very cool. Each player (well, each big name player, the smaller name players are all the same) has a different shot, meaning you have to hold the shoot button for a certain amount of time until you release it for it to be at it's highest accuracy. The fouls/violations are very accurate (they never call traveling, just like in the real NBA!) and add to the overall realism of the game. There's backing up player's in the post (KG is especially good at that), pivoting, hook shots, turnaround jumpers, and my all-time favorite move, the jumper that turns into a pass at it's peak. That's just sweet to use when you have, say, a Chris Webber who goes into the hoop, bringing two people or more with him, goes to shoot, passes it to Peja Stoyakivic at three point line, giving him an easy, open trey. Pure genius, thank you Visual Concepts, thank you.

Graphics: 10
Great graphics. The big name players are all accurately made, face and build wise, and there are random faces for lesser known players. The courts are accurate and look great. Overall, the graphics are some of the best for the PS2.

Sound: 9
Sound is always iffy in sports games, there's the hit or miss music and the almost always awful commentary (except maybe the NFL Gameday series, sadly it's that games only pro). The music here is just the menu music which is the ESPN Basketball music, which I'm accustomed too. There's also some music during the game during the timeouts, which is realistic and doesn't bother me. The commentary is actually pretty varied, which is usually the main problem with sport games commentary, and overall is pretty solid. The weakest part of this game, but still very good.

Presentation 10
Love it! I watch ESPN any time I watch TV, and the presentation from the main menu, to the bottomline during games, to the Weekly Wrap-Up, it's just perfect. There are perfect little touches that make this game special, like when a player comes in, he stretches his legs a little bit, when a player makes or misses a free throw, he taps (basketball fans know what I'm talking about) hands with a teammate. The commentary goes well with the overall feel of the game.

Pros and Cons
PROS
-Very Realistic
-Top-Notch Gameplay
-Good Graphics
-Above-Average Commentary/Music
-Great Presentation

CONS
-Limited Music (Really, just one track)

Final Thoughts
Overall, this game gets my highest rating, a 10. I think magazines like EGM should give this game a platinum, but won't because it's a sports game. This is the greatest Basketball game since NBA Live '97, and Visual Concepts will continue to improve on it. I feel kinda sorry for EA Sports, and, well, I've always felt sorry for 989 Studios, I mean come on ,they're going to hell for causing me so much pain. DAMN YOU GAMEDAY! DAMN YOU!

Buy Or Sell?
Definitely Buy.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/18/03, Updated 02/18/03