NBA 2K6

"I like it... but somethings missing"

I have always been a supporter of the EA franchise when it comes to basketball games, I liked live 06 and we always have a rocking time when I play with my cousins, but it gets boring when playing it alone. 2K6 is more of a simulation, and is more fun when you're by yourself.

Game-play- the game-play in this game is great. The first thing you realize is that the right analog stick is not used for dribbles, but for shooting. A different flick of the stick makes a different shot. This is hard at first but what I did was to mimic my own release in a real shot and it works perfectly. The same is also used in shooting free throws.(note: you cna still shoot using the square button)

There are so many things mapped to the analog sticks. The steals are now in the right analog sticks,(like in live) You flick the stick to thr right to steal with your right hand, left to steal with left...

The crossovers/spins etc are now in the left analog stick. This takes time to get used to since you're gonna have to slow down running, press r1(now called the aggression button), then flick the left analog(this is frustrating at first, really) in a certain direction to do a certain move.

A dual player control was added this year. I had a harder time realizing what to do at first. Live did this smoother in my opinion(off-ball).

There is also an improved franchise mode(called the Association) which also features staff hiring and team chemistry. Team chemistry means that you can't just throw players with each other.

We move on to the 24/7 mode. I don't really like this type of game and I believe it has gotten more boring than last years. Your primary goal is now the EBC instead of the NBA

Graphics- They beat live in every aspect in terms of graphics. Even from afar the players are still recognizable. They have facial expressions(something live hasn't done) and when they're closed-up, it just blows you away.

The presentation still is the best from any nba game I've played. Even without ESPN they still have the quarterly reports, and the pre-game match-ups

Sound- I think the commentary is better than last years 2k5. They lost the ESPN license but they still tried to make the game's announcing superb, which they did do. You can hear player chattering and the fans sound more realistic.

OVERALL JUDGMENT

I think this game is for those people who play Association mode more than they play with friends. I still think live is more exciting and dynamic when it comes to the overall fun factor. This is less fun for me when you're playing with company

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 10/19/05