With the NBA season sprinting towards the basket, the college basketball season just tipping off, and the recent release of NBA 2k23, it's truly a slam dunk time of the year for basketball lovers.
Basketball video games have been around for decades, and some are far better than others. Redditors have suggested their favorites, and although most are more mainstream, there are a few classics that are definitely worth playing.
NBA Showtime: NBA On NBC
Arcade / Dreamcast / Nintendo 64 / Game Boy Color / Playstation
Released by Midway in 1999, NBA Showtime had many unique features that set it apart from other basketball games. I-braveheart loves it, and fellow Redditor H3rQ133z still plays it on N64, and it's "without question the best basketball video game" in their eyes.
There's a sense of nostalgia to the game, as it's modeled after the pregame show that was featured on NBC. It was the first series to exhibit 3D graphics. If a player makes three shots in a row, they are labeled "on fire," which allows the player the ability to shoot from nearly anywhere without penalty. While the game does contain team rosters, it also had many secret playable characters, which include some of Universal Picture's most notable movie monsters like Frankenstein's monster and the Mummy.
NBA Jam
Arcade / Super NES / Sega Genesis / Game Boy / Playstation
The 1993 predecessor to NBA Showtime, Redditor Errattik has some strong words in support for NBA Jam, saying it's "some of the most fun I have ever had with a game."
What the Redditor is referring to is the gameplay. NBA Jam is unique in that it defies the laws of physics - players can slam dunk by jumping higher than science allows. Not only is it two-on-two basketball, but there are also no foul or free throws. NBA Jam is very similar to NFL Street, both of which are among the best forgotten sports gaming franchises.
Barkley Shut Up And Jam!
Sega Genesis / Super NES / Evercade
Nicodroz has fond memories of playing Barkley Shut Up and Jam!, reminiscing about going to get a ball in the corner of the court: "If you didn't grab it fast enough, you'd hear Charles say 'Go get the damn ball!' This is completely in sync with Barkley's character and a perfect name for the game itself.
Having Charles Barkley in the game was only one cool aspect of the game. The player had a choice between playing as Barkley or fictitious characters while playing in an outdoor court. The game was very similar to NBA Jam with regard to gameplay. With fewer rules and fouls, Barkley Shut Up and Jam! made for a fast, looser experience, separating it from many other basketball games.
NBA Live 03
Windows / GameCube / Xbox / PlayStation / PS2
Redditor ioftenwearpants remembers playing NBA Live 03 with their roommate, describing the games as being "very competitive because Shaq is unstoppable and Ray Allen's jumper hit all the time."
The operative word here is "competitive." That was the main goal of the developers, and the game certainly delivered in terms of realism. For example, the speed of the players was fast, resembling real-life NBA players. The A.I. are a lot smarter, and the controls are more fluid than ever before. Shaq's 98 overall rating was higher than anyone currently in NBA 2K23.
College Hoops 2K8
Xbox 360 / PS2 / PS3
PapaJisinmyhouse truly believes that College Hoops 2K8 is one of the greatest basketball video games, saying that it's "underrated as hell."
This is the last of the College Hoops series due to licensing issues. That in and of itself makes the game special. There is a new "2k share" feature, allowing roster sharing between gamers (helpful due to the game containing over 300 Division 1 teams). College Hoops is very similar to the NCAA Football series in that a player can become a coach and take their favorite school, alma mater, or an underperforming school and lead them to a championship. March Madness is what ultimately makes the game so appealing for players.
NBA Live 04
Windows / GameCube / Xbox / PS2
One Redditor, susahamat, states that "John Stockton's 3 point in that game was absurd." KATgonnaGetThatYarn is in agreement, saying that "alley oops were so overpowered." This can be attributed to the new controls that allow players more creativity with regard to shooting and dunks.
The game was the last EA game to feature Michael Jordan, yet the first to feature the Charlotte Bobcats. A big drawing point of the game was the ability to use points earned through gameplay to not only improve a team but put towards apparel in the NBA Store. Apparel such as jerseys and shoes can be seen being worn by the NBA players during games.
NBA 2K16
Windows / Xbox 360 / Xbox One / PS3 / PS4 / Android / IOS
Nweber15 believes that NBA 2K16 is the last good 2K basketball game. They feel that "2K got harder as far as gameplay goes."
This is certainly true, as the main goal of the game was to increase realism, and this was done in a multitude of ways, For instance, body scanning made NBA players look more realistic, even adding their respective tattoos. Spike Lee was heavily involved in the presentation, making the game feel fresh and exciting. The biggest improvement was in terms of the MyGM and MyLeague. It gave players more control than previous iterations, such as negotiating NBA contracts and relocate franchises. These additions make NBA 2K16 one of the best 2K games.
NBA Live 05
Windows / GameCube / Xbox / PS2
Redditor not4hookups loves NBA Live 05, mainly due to the Slam Dunk Contest. This is among one of the many features that are now commonplace in basketball games.
The most attractive of these features is the NBA All-Star Weekend. This mimics the real-life weekend that takes place in February every season and includes the 3-point Shootout and the Rookie vs. Sophomore Game. The Slam Dunk Contest can be challenging to master at first, but highly addictive when able to do so. The new Freestyle Air feature allows the player creativity with dunks and tip-ins, therefore emphasizing the most glamorous aspect of basketball.
NBA Street Vol. 2
GameCube / Xbox / PS2
NBA Street Vol. 2 is 3-on-3 basketball, which has the feel of playing basketball after school with friends. It is among one of the many discontinued sport video games that deserve a revival.
The game adds trick moves, dunks, and a Gameplay feature that involves a point system that can be used to buy items like players and courts. Redditor assistanmanager praises the story mode in the game. Be A Legend Mode is exactly what it sounds like. A player is created and as they rise through the street ranks, they have the opportunity to become a street legend champ, even attaining a unique nickname.
NBA 2K11
Windows / Nintendo Wii / Xbox 360 / PS2 / PS3 / PSP
MasterTeacher123 nominates NBA 2K11 as the best basketball game and fellow Redditor bball0718 agrees, saying that "the game is so smooth and responsive" in comparison to newer versions.
The Association and MyPlayer modes are present, as are the inclusion of classic NBA teams, which are used in the Jordan Challenge mode. This mode is focused on Michael Jordan, and is the highlight of the game. One aspect of the mode allows the player to relive Jordan's most memorable career moments. Another aspect of the mode is similar to that of MyPlayer, but the player gets to take control of Air Jordan himself. Jordan can be put on the gamer's favorite team and the best part is that his appearance changes to coincide with his progression.
Source:gamerant.com