Platform: GC, PS2, XB

Developer: Visual Concepts

Publisher: Sega

Genre: Sports

ETA: October 2002

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NBA 2K3

The NBA 2K series might very well be the finest on the sports market right now and it only looks to get better with the 2K3 edition.  Headlining the new features for this year is an improved presentation, improved graphics, and AI sliders.

Sega Sports signed a deal with ESPN last spring that will incorporate the sports network’s broadcast style and stat layout into all of its games this upcoming year.  Although I think the mystique and prestige of ESPN will help NBA 2K sell a few more copies, I can’t help but be wary of whether or not the game’s outstanding play-by-play will take a hit.  I have always loved the 2K series two fictional play-by-play guys.  They were witty, on the ball, and most importantly, accurate.  I’m not saying the new guys aren’t going to succeed, but think of all the real-life video game play-by-play teams that crashed and failed horribly?  All I’ve got to say is, “Don Poier and Reggie Theus”.  And with ESPN now having exclusive rights to the former, “NBA on NBC” block, a Bill Walton and Steve “the Snapper” Jones combo could be a possibility.

Last year when the game was ported from the Dreamcast to the PS2, X-Box, and GC, many thought that the games still had that “Dreamcast” look and feel.  In simple terms, the graphics weren’t good enough.

NBA 2K3 gets a major facelift (almost literally) from last year’s game.  From looking at some of the screenshots from early builds of the game the facial quality and expression are ravishing.  Hair now has texture and thickness.  This year’s game climbs another rung up in the quest of photo-quality graphics.

Players will also now sweat.  Their bodies will actually glisten and gleam as the game goes on.  The nets will swish and sway according to the physics of the shot.  While I think this is going to be a cool feature, I hope that the rim physics are equally worked on because this was a problem last year.  If you were to go to instant replay and check, players attempting a dunk wouldn’t even touch the rim when dunking.  The ball would also not touch the rim on a shot.

But the most welcomed addition is the AI sliders.  Anyone who played the game last year above the easiest difficulty setting knew of the deft CPU shooting touch.  It was not unusual for the CPU to shoot at a 70 or 80 percent clip from the field.  With the AI sliders gamers will be given the option to nullify the CPU to some extent.  

Other note-worthy upgrades are in the passing and shooting aspects of the game.  You will now have the option to choose the pass type and direction of your pass.  This will help out immensely in the open court, as you aren’t bound to the same speed and type of pass.  Jump shots are also tweaked as the trajectory of your shot is determined by the height of your player’s jump.

There are promised upgrades in the franchise and street game modes.  With the sudden splurge of European talent in the NBA, the game will give you the option to scout players overseas.  Playing defense and the low-post game is also improved.

The game will be released on October 22 and online capability will be available for both the PS2 and X-Box consoles.

- Tim Martin

(August 4, 2002)