In the ongoing war between ESPN Videogames (formerly Sega Sports) and EA Sports, one battleground that remains a hotspot of contention is the hardcourt.  Basketball videogames have been notoriously lackluster when compared to the authenticity and real-life representation of their gridiron counterparts, but both the NBA 2K and NBA Live franchises have come a long way, baby. These two combatants add a bit more firepower to the war in the way of new features, improved graphics, and tweaked gameplay, but when the smoke has dissipated and the casualties tallied, which one of these games will be waving the white flag?

For the first time in my illustrious career as a sports video game reviewer, I’m doing a simultaneous review of two games in direct competition with each other.  A straight-up one-on-one contest between NBA 2K5 and NBA Live 2005.  In fact, you’ll see that the two first paragraphs of each review are virtually identical.  Check out my NBA Live 2005 review.

Benefits to being a coverboy…

…Multiple hairstyles!

ESPN NBA 2K5 is the sequel to what I considered to be the best basketball game for a home console since Double Dribble back in the old NES Days.  It provided a solid NBA basketball simulation, a few streetball modes, and the excellent single-player 24/7 mode.  2K5 is pretty much more of the same real basketball for real basketball fans with every feature enhanced.

The best thing about NBA 2K5 (besides its famous $20 price tag – cheap!) is the outstanding gameplay that developers Visual Concepts have incorporated in both the NBA five-on-five and one-on-one modes.  The ESPN series has never been all about fast breaks and rim-rattling dunks and more about teamplay and seizing opportunities, making it the number one choice for ballers who prefer X’s and O’s to $’s.  Make no mistake, you can throw down some serious thunder, but you can’t just size up a defender, crossover until he’s on the ground clutching his ankles and tomahawk with the press of a button. 

The control scheme of NBA 2K5 works brilliantly with the game and its pace.  On offense, the game does a great job of letting players create their game with a variety of options on the dribble and in the post.  Unlike NBA Live, there’s only one shoot button (X) and it’s situational – running towards the hoop with an open lane will result in a dunk or lay-up, and incorporating the left thumbstick allows players to shoot fadeaway J’s or leaners.  Passing is as simple as pressing the A button, and as complicated as pressing it twice to perform the valuable lead pass.  Y performs a hop step that isn’t nearly as devastating as NBA Live’s, and B performs Isomotion moves such as crossover hesitation dribbles.  This latest edition of Isomotion, brilliantly called Isomotion², isn’t very distinguishable from last year’s, even though there are supposed new moves.  Anyone who played last year’s version will know that the moves aren’t as flashy as NBA Live’s (and for that fact not as fun to use), but they still retain function especially when trying to create a bit of open space for a jumpshot.  It’s incredibly satisfying when you do school your defender by throwing a few hesitation moves, stepping back when the defender is on his toes, and popping a jumper in his eye.

Insert joke about Kobe and Latrell playing head-to-head or Latrell ‘choking’.

Defensively, NBA 2K5 has all the standard controls found in most games.  Block, steal, take charge, and switch player are all represented with the buttons, and the right trigger (which should heretofore be known as ‘the turbo trigger’) controls turbo.  The left trigger now asks for a double team on whoever has the ball.  It’s very useful when another team’s scoring monster gets the ball and you need to contain him.  It does however open up another man if the offense can get him the ball.  I wasn’t sure if this decision by ESPN was a good one, but after getting torched by Vince Carter when he was played by one man, I found myself using it quite a bit in crunchtime. 

Now that we’ve got the controls out of the way, let’s talk about what we all came here to discuss – how the game actually plays.  On the offensive side, the play is slowed down considerably when compared to NBA Live.  It’s all about setting up an offense, hitting a man with a laser-beam pass when he’s cutting to the basket, or settling for the open jumper.  It plays a lot like some of the teams in the East, such as the World Champion Detroit Pistons.  The defensive side is hotly contested among the basketball gaming community, but I feel doubters of NBA 2K’s defense have misused the system.  Most basketball games (ahem – NBA Live) reward button mashers, particularly with stealing the ball.  NBA 2K5 does the opposite – over-pressing buttons kills your chances at stopping the defender more than Jayson Williams kills limo drivers.  Instead, defense in NBA 2K5 requires players to do what real defenders must do – simply get their bodies between the ballhandler and the basket to force an undesirable shot.  It’s not glamorous, but it is more representative of real NBA defense (when there used to be NBA defense, that is). 

The franchise mode, called The Association, is similar to the other franchise modes in the ESPN Videogames series, allowing players to manage a team through a season on their way towards an NBA championship.  Team chemistry has been introduced this year, and having a harmonious team is more than just feng shui, it actually shows benefits on the court.  Players will visit the general manager (you) with different requests.  Some may ask for more playing time, some may ask for lighter workouts.  For example, Steve Nash may approach you in your office and harp about his contribution to the team.  One of three responses will come up, and they usually involve being harsh, complimentary, or indifferent.  Some players like a tough coach, some like their backs patted.  It’s the manager’s job to see that everything goes smoothly, or they may see a LA Lakers meltdown occur.  This all effects team chemistry, which affects the team’s output.  Another new feature is the Full Authority mode.  Each game can be simulated, played by the user, or go into Full Authority.  I’m not quite sure what developer Visual Concepts was thinking when they put this feature in, but the best way to describe it is Magic: The Gathering with NBA players on the cards.  Before tip-off, managers decide how many shots players are going to take, what offensive strategy each player will use (shoot from long range, bang inside, etc.), and how to play their man defensively (put a hand in his face on jumpers, play him closer to the basket).  Then the manager is treated to highlights of the game, showing how their strategies worked.  The better they choose their strategies, the better their players will perform.  For example, if you tell your point guard to shoot from long range and the CPU plays your man to penetrate, the point guard will make more shots.  The managers do this for each quarter, and the better they choose their strategies, the more shots they will be awarded, which inevitably leads to a higher score.  It just doesn’t seem to fit into the game, and in my opinion, has no place in NBA 2K5.  I’m more of a fan of NBA Live’s Dynasty mode than The Association.

“Baby I’m sorry.  Why don’t I just buy you another million-dollar ring and we’ll call it even?”

Returning once again is 24/7 mode, a single-player create-a-baller experience that should not be missed by any hoops fan.  In 24/7, created players match skills against NBA stars in one-on-one contests, improving their stats based on performance in training modes and their status in one-on-one competitions.  The thing that makes the 24/7 mode so addictive is the variety of one-on-one rules.  One game may require the baller to only dunk or lay-up, and another may start the baller with a 3 point deficit.  There are a ton of different parameters, and they change every hour (the mode synchs to your Xbox’s internal clock).  Defeating opponents not only improves the player’s rank, but also improves his wardrobe as well.  Tons of items are available to play dress-up on your player, from throwback jerseys to hockey masks, and virtually assure players that their baller will be unique.  Having praised 24/7 this much, it should be noted that not much has changed from last year’s version, which is a bit of a disappointment. 

Online is back to NBA 2K, and it’s better than ever.  Highlights include taking your 24/7 character online to battle, playing instant quickmatch or optimatch games, and the ESPN messaging system, but the real attraction are the tournament and season features.  Gather some friends together for a quick tournament or season and let the game do the rest.  All you need to do is create a league and wait for others to sign up.  From there, all sorts of parameters can be decided such as season length, ability to trade players, and how long is allowed between games played.

You want graphics?  Look no further than NBA 2K5.  The game looks great.  And with revamped player models and the new ‘momentum’ models, the players move with more realism than any other basketball game out there.  The stadiums look fantastic, and the fans and cheerleaders are all 3-D. 

The sounds of the game are well done in, highlighted by Stuart Scott introducing the teams and Bill Walton and Michele Tafoya reporting during the game.  The crowd is great, responding to the home team’s successes and failures realistically, and a bit of shouting from a few screaming individuals.  The soundtrack is also a highlight, featuring underground hip hop from several artists on the verge of breaking out including Lyrics Born and Rob Swift.  NBA 2K5 has also included a custom stadium arena soundtrack, similar to NFL 2K5’s, but there are less events to put selected tracks in.  In fact, you’ll probably get sick of hearing the same two cuts every time the home team or away team dribbles up the court. 

NBA 2K5 looks great, plays great, and only costs $20.  There’s no excuse for any true basketball fan not to have this game. 

Gameplay: 9.7

Quality gameplay once again highlights the 2K franchise.  This is the most realistic basketball game available.  Add to that easy online leagues, lots of unlockables, and the awesome 24/7 mode, and you got yourself the complete package.

Graphics: 9.5

Last year’s version looked awesome.  This one looks even better. 

Sound: 8.5

It sounds like basketball to me… good soundtrack as well.  The commentary is right on par, and for once isn’t annoying. 

Difficulty: Medium/Hard

Possibly one of those easy to pick up, difficult to master things going on.  Once players get into the mental idea of the game (i.e. it’s not necessary to press the steal button over and over), the gameplay really shines, and players can start ballin’.

Concept: 9.0

24/7 mode really rules the concept area.  True, it’s still the same thing as last year, but it still kicks ass. 

Multiplayer: 9.0

Online features, particularly the online leagues, are great.  With ESPN messaging, setting up games is easy.  Gamers can also take their 24/7 player online for a little one-on-one.  

Overall: 9.0

A solid 9.0 here.  Would have been higher if the development team had added a little more to the game from last year’s version.  All said, NBA 2K5 is the best basketball game on the market.  Period.  NBA team comparison: 2003-2004 Detroit Pistons – Does what it needs to do to get it done.  Teamwork and fundamentals give this game the championship it rightfully deserves.