NBA 2K3

"So you want to play some ball, well get ready beacuse this is IT!"

The game:

Well obviously the game is about basketball and so much more. Normally in a basketball game you play and win or lose this is not the case anymore. Sega has brought us a new sports genre called the 2K3 series. Now you can play a quick game of basketball or go to the streets play a season or franchise mode where you call the shots hire or fire coaches GM's free agents and recruiting. This game is the whole package.

Graphics:

The word WOW does the most justice for this games graphics. The uniforms are bump mapped you can actually watch the players sweat. Even the fans are individual with some jumping up and down. Everything from the fighting for position under the rim to jumping for a ball going out of bounds is so well detailed you will think is this a real game or a video game. You can tell each player from one another and see there emotions it is truly amazing. I can only say that this is truly the best looking video game I have ever seen. It also runs at a constant 60fps which makes it so sweet to look at.

Gameplay:

Another fantastic element is the gameplay. It has been improved from last year it is easier to call for picks you have more pivot abilities you can fake a pass do a crossover or go to do a cross over and pull back for a switch.. There is improved passing with the addition of the right thumbstick as a passing tool. The backing down of players has been enhanced and looks way more realistic. There is so many offensive plays to call from and many defensive as well. This game has the whole deal as far as game play goes.

Sound:

The sound is fantastic from the screeching of the sneakers to the chanting of the crowds you will feel as if you are a part of the game. The commentary has to be the best commentary I have ever heard there is not the constant repeat of the same sentence over and over. Of course it takes advantage of the dolby 5.1 which just adds to the immersion of the game. As far as sound could go in a basketball game they did a fine job.

Re playability:

With the online play and of couse the Sega Sports Challenge this game has so much playability. How can you ever get tired of playing competition online or in the form of a friend. As far as 1 player goes there is a lot here as well with franchise mode or the streets to going for the record with Sega's Sports Challenge you will find yourself like me totally into this game.

Over all:

Sega has brought us sports game fanatics the best series to date with the 2K3 series. Every game I have played beats all the competition hands down with no exception however with Madden 2003 I have to admit it's pretty close. So if you like realistic sports game's and not those fake arcadey types where you run and gun the whole game but like to use defense and run a strategic offense you will HAVE to buy these titles from SEGA.
This game missed the 10 only because the ability to run a fast break is very hard and when you go to pass for the fast break the player tends to stop in his tracks for some unknown reason.

Sega has pulled it off again another great sport title brought to us by Treyarch and Sega.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/03/03, Updated 01/03/03