NBA 2K1

Sega comes off the pine and heads straight for the rack with the second installment of their enormously popular NBA basketball series. You may think that this would be just a simple rehash of the first title in the series and that the most major change you would see is the addition of the "1" to 2K. However, if you thought that, you'd be about as ignorant as an Eskimo talking about palm trees.

While Sega didn't completely overhaul the system, it's easy to see the vast number of improvements they made with this year's offering. First off, you have the addition of franchise and street modes into the game type department. There's also the addition of all time greats, minus a certian #23 from the 50's-90's. Also, the graphics were given a few touch-ups and extra animations were added. If that isn't enough to get you interested, there's one more thing that they added this year, but what was it? Oh yeah, internet play.

The Street mode is probably one of the nicest new additions, as it lets you play pick up games of 2-2 through 5-5 on five notable street courts including Rucker and Goat park. Street play is fast and filled with smack talking and high flying dunks and fast breaks. Swat blocks that send the ball sailing out of bounds and rim-ratteling Eastbay Funk Dunks prevail over the more traditional style of the other game modes.

The franchise mode is easily as deep as any we've seen on any console, including a complete draft at the end of each year, multi player and draft pick trades, injuries and retirements. The only problem I found with this mode is that while you can import created players into season, exibition, playoff and street modes, you can't bring them in for your franchise. A bit of a dissapointment when you're looking to build up the LA Clippers around the high flying play of Tom Shooks.

Speaking of created players, NBA 2K1 has the absolute best create-a-player system that I've seen in any basketball game, maybe in any sports game period. The sheer number of customizable options on your player is amazing. The game has a built in last name recognition system and if you have a name that matches any of the names already stored in the game, then you can hear it called over the PA after your pathetic 5'6" jabronie fouls out. Also, you can customize everything from appearance to accessories and shoes, which include some familiar looking makes from Reebok, Converse and a few Nike rip-offs.

The player models are incredibily detailed, right down to the tattoos and "WWJD" bracelets. You wouldn't believe just how much difference it makes, having the familiar placement of tats and arm bands in giving each player their own personality. (Look real close and tell me if you find any armbands, tattoos or varying sock lengths in Live) If there's one knock against the player models, it would have to be that they all look like they've spent the last three years popping steriods and working out six hours a day. Guys like Antonio Davis and Karl Malone have arms that would make Big Poppa Pump jealous. However, the players are at least in proportion to each other, so it really isn't a big concern, just something to work on for next year.

In the gameplay department, you have all the nessecary tools to put on a clinic at your disposal and this time, you'll have to use them, since the computer actually plays defense. On the easy settings, you can still pump-fake and take it to the rack, but if you crank up the difficulty, the computer will put some serious D on you. Offensive and defensive sets are readily available, but one thing to note is that when you start an offensive set, the ball has to be in the hands of the player indicated on the display. Otherwise, you can steal, post up, swat-block and do just about anything the pros do...short of traveling.

The sound is really nice with a good interactive crowd, decent two man commentary and funny as hell player chatter. I suggest you crank up the player volume in the sound options and prepare to laugh you boo-tay off. It has to be some of the weakest trash talk I've ever heard, but man is it classic stuff.

While I haven't personally played the game online, everything I've heard has pointed toward lag-free play due to some good programming by Sega's nerds.

The one thing that sets this game out in my mind is the sheer variety it gives the player. No two players look identical, which is for the most part, a good thing. Players like Tracy McGrady, Allen Iverson, Darius Miles and Brian Grant all look great, while some player faces are really comical. Chicago's young stud Marcus Fizer bears a striking resemblance to the guy from "Powder" and some of the players with more rounded heads are somewhat cartoonish. The sheer variety of moves in this game is amazing, too. There are reportedly 150 unique dunks in the game. It shows too, because you see something new every time you play. From breakaway two-handed windmills from Vince Carter to baseline monster slams complete with hanging by big men like Brian Grant and Shaq, you'll never complain about seeing the same dunk too many times. Also, the little nuances like player interactions and smack talk at the line are all done without cut-scenes like the ones in live. This really keeps the flow of the game going and keeps you into the game.

Overall, NBA 2K1 is THE BEST basketball game available to date. Sharp graphics, realistic gameplay (12 minute quarters yield believable scores if you play like an NBA team), responsive controls and a slew of options make this the premiere game to own for any NBA fan.

The Good!		The Last Word(s): If you like basketball and you own a Dreamcast, this is a must have game. A bevy of options and solid gameplay make this the kind of game that you'll play for quite some time. (Or at least until next year's edition.) Final Rating: 93% Iconish
Great mix of simulation and arcade basketball Player Model Detail Online Play
The Bad...
Hit-or-Miss Player Faces No Created Players In Franchise Mode Flat Announcing
The UGLY.
The future of the NBA Live series