Finding a good
basketball simulation the last few years has been harder than controlling
Latrell Sprewell’s punch-first-ask-questions-later anger. Most games played
like a lawless streetball game, press the crossover button, blow by your
defender, and tear down the rim with a backboard-shattering dunk. Fast breaks
happened with more frequency than an NBA player arrested for a DUI, and the
passing button shed tears after game after game of neglect. Star players ended
up with an absurd 60-plus points, one assist, and a gazillion steals. My hope
for a playable NBA game with an emphasis on the team shattered faster than Grant
Hill’s fragile ankle. Thank the basketball gods for Sega and their release of
NBA 2K3 for the Xbox.
NBA 2K3 plays like
an authentic NBA game. Teams shoot around the 40% Field goal percentage range,
dunks are down, and finding the open man is essential. And I for one, am quite
pleased.
Sega continues
their impressive streak of great sports titles with excellent graphics,
attention to detail, and their union with ESPN for great presentation.
It’s important to
note that gamers with no patience should avoid this game, or get burned every
time they try and bust down the lane for an easy score. NBA 2K3 is a 100%
simulation that utilizes every aspect of the NBA to create an authentic
recreation of the sport where 5-footers need not apply. Even if you can barely
jump over a phone book, you can still feel like a basketball giant while playing
NBA 2K3. Forcing shots leads to bricks, and offenses really need to be set up
to have any chance to score. It’s not uncommon to commit a shot clock violation
or throw up a prayer thanks to realistic defense.
Enjoying the
gameplay of NBA 2K3 is a matter of preference. If you like razzle-dazzle
dribbling moves and automatic scores in the paint, NBA Live 2003 will better
suit your fancy. NBA 2K3 concentrates on the fine art of basketball and can be
a bit frustrating at times. Contested shots simply will not fall, and even
layups aren’t a given. If working the ball in and out, waiting for the double
team, and passing to the open outside shooter are your idea of basketball, then
NBA 2K3 is a dream come true. Defense isn’t decided by swatted shots and
mashing the steal button until it appears in your hands, but by sticking to your
man like glue and not letting him penetrate. It’s a system that takes a while
to get used to, but in the end will reward players with defensive stops by way
of solid D.
Offensive and
defensive plays can be triggered with the flip of a joystick. Using the D-pad,
coaches can call post plays, pick and rolls, and many other plays on the fly.
If you find yourself getting burned by shoddy man-to-man defense, change your
defense to a 2-3 zone and watch the offense get confused. Players can even set
up an isolation offense and keep your point guard on the wing, then call a post
up play to work a two man game for either a one-on-one situation in the paint,
or kick it out for an open jumper after a double team. It’s a very technical
aspect of the game that requires just as much coaching skills as ball handling
skills.
The franchise mode
is one of the deepest out there. Taking a team to the championship game is more
than just playing good basketball. From the front desk, players can organize
workouts, trade and sign players, or change coaches. Don’t like your team
getting burned on offensive rebounds? Sacrifice fast breaks and tell your team
to crash the boards. You can even set players as primary or secondary options
for some much needed offense. The stats category is loaded with League Leaders,
rookie reports, and All-Star votes. It all makes for an incredibly involving
series of seasons for the serious GM, but can also be set to automatic for
casual managers.
Sega has always
dazzled with the graphics of their sports games, and NBA 2K3 continues the
excellence. Each player does have a striking resemblance to their professional
counterparts, from headbands to hairstyles. The courts are probably the best
looking I’ve ever seen, and NBA 2K3 does a great job of portraying the size of
each arena. On the court, players do move a bit slow, and the motion captured
animations sometime occur when you don’t want them to. After the whistle
players have excellent animations, occasionally wiping the bottom of their shoes
or stretching weary limbs. Little things like players’ heads following the
ball, animations of players fighting through screens, and post basket
celebrations (Darius Miles and Quentin Richardson even do the double fist to the
headband thing) add NBA 2K3 is the best looking basketball game and offers an
excellent visual representation of a real NBA game. Sega has hyped up making
players sweat as the game progresses, but in reality they begin to look a little
more like wax figurines.
The audio of NBA
2K3 is exceptional. The crowd roars with home team baskets, have custom chants,
and even count down the shot clock as it is winding down. The commentary is
pretty solid, but does occasionally repeat itself. The soundtrack is pretty
basic, and nothing to write home about, but the crowd and on-court sounds make
up for it.
NBA 2K3 is rated E
for everyone.
Gameplay: 9
This is the most
authentic basketball game out there. With the exception of the rough passing
game, the controls are fantastic.
Graphics: 8.5
The courts and the
crowd are very impressive. The players do look a little like action figures
rather than NBA players though.
Sound: 8.4
The commentary is
either hit or miss. At times, it will be spot on, but can get old.
Difficulty: Hard
This game isn’t
simply about running towards the basket and throwing it down. NBA 2K3 is
definitely 100% sim, and it shows.
Concept: 9
Sega has made a
game that will alienate some casual gamers who aren’t knowledgeable about
basketball, but basketball purists will love it.
Multiplayer: 8.5
NBA 2K3 supports
Xbox Live, so you can play your friend from across the country. Those who don’t
have Xbox Live will enjoy playing with or against their friends.
Overall: 8.9
A very solid
basketball game for fans or true-school hoops.
