NBA 2K6

"Great all-round basketball game"

Overview-This year in the basketball category there's only one game that really made huge changes. And made changes that were good. That game is NBA 2k6. To me the other games NBA Live 06 and NBA 06 made changes but not necessarily for the better. I'm not going to go into that because this review is for NBA 2k6. So here it is:

Controls-10/10: To me last years 2k game didn't have that much depth to it, but this is totally different. The most notably new difference is probably the shot stick at first it's pretty tough to get used to, but when you get the hang of it it becomes second nature. Basically what you do is whatever direction you press the right analog stick in, you have to hold it there and the flick it or release just at the top of your players shot. Of course you can release whenever and still make it, but releasing it at the top gives best results. The other new feature is the new isomotion. Last years isomotion was really plain with barely any moves to do and with the moves taking forever. It just wasn't very productive or good, but this years is quick and crisp. The moves aren't as lengthy and can be done consecutively. Sort of like a chain. Also there are isomotion moves when you post up so it gives it more depth. And all this can be done by holding down R1 and moving the Left Analog Stick and moving it to do the moves. Finally the thing they've changed is the Strip and Rip feature on defense. Basically you choose what hand your defender tries to steal the ball with and how he does it. You use the Right Analog Stick to try to steal the ball away from the offensive player, and you pretty much choose if you want to try to steal the ball with your left hand or your right, or slap the ball down or hit it up into the air. All these moves should be done only at the right time however. Lastly the free mechanic has changed from last years. This year you use the Right Analog Stick to shoot your free throws. It's like using the shot stick. I know that was long but that was pretty much the main change in this years 2k game.

Graphics-10/10: As always the 2k series always owns the brands in terms of graphics, and this year is no different. However this year since 2k doesn't have the ESPN license anymore the layout had to be changed and I think it got better. I mean the ESPN colors are way to plain red, white, black, grey.... mainly all the dull colors, but now 2k has a bit more colorful layout. It's blue and yellow with some other colors.

Sound-8/10: I think this is it's only flaw. The reason is because all of the music and I mean ALL of it is hip hop/R&B, and I have no problem with that, personally I think that the only music for basketball is hip hop/R&B, but they could've at least put in some other kinds of music in the juke/music box. They didn't though and there are only a few good songs. It's still good music for some b-ball though. The commentators are at least pretty good and keep up with the action pretty well.

Modes-10/10: I also always thought that the 2k series had the better features and more features. Even after NBA Live got All-Star Weekend. This years is hasn't changed and neither has Lives' so I'm leaving them as they are. Although 24/7 has changed a bit and now its a story about someone rising to the top. Of course you have your standard quick game, association, practice, street, etc etc etc.

Re-playability-10/10: As with any sports game there's always replay value but with NBA 2k6 there's even more re-playability. There's year round scouting so you can try playing as a good aging team and try to bring in younger players or be the bad team that needs help everywhere and try to draft some good talent. Then there's always the quick games you can do as well.

Sorry for the long review but there's so much stuff to do and new things to try out I had to get it all out. As for rent or buy I'd say definitely a buy, not only for the sharp learning curve of all the new things but because you'll want to play it over and over again.
Overall score-10/10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 11/21/05