Once again we find ourselves in the same yearly dilemma.  Do we go for EA Sports addition to their NBA games or do we go for the 2K Sports series that has given EA a run for their money as well as dropping the purchase price.  NBA 2K6 is here and while it isn’t a completely new game it changed just enough to make this the one that beats out the more than decent NBA Live 06. 

The changes to the NBA 2K games over the years have seen the welcome addition of the IsoMotion feature and the loss of the ESPN brand that gave the game its cable sports presentation.  Yet despite the loss of the ESPN feel the series has managed to keep bringing basketball fans a game that not only plays like a dream but looks amazing and possesses enough game modes to keep any sports fan happy.  So while NBA Live 06 has some great features, its NBA 2K6 that plays so much better thanks to some new tweaks to the gameplay. 

For starters the game introduces the Shot Stick, a shooting system that, with the right thumbstick, allows you to decide where to shoot as well as what type of shot to take on the fly.  That means you can pull off fancy dunks or reverse layups just with the flick of the right thumbstick.  It works just fine once you learn how to use but it doesn’t come close to the much welcome addition that is Dual Player Control.  The Dual Player Control allows you to control a specific character in motion in order to make a big play.  This really just allows you to command a specific player to drive up the lane so you can make a quick pass to him for an easy bucket.  Of course, you have to do it before your window of opportunity closes right in your face.

The opponent AI was always something of a weak spot but then again the series managed to reflect a real player’s ability on the court.  Yes there are some moments where you’ll go “Hey, why is Vince Carter always being called out for traveling?” but then again you’ll come to see how close to the real deal Allen Iverson or Jason Kidd play.  The control scheme once again fits perfectly on the Xbox, making everything from layups to alley-oops simple to pull off.  It’s easy to make quick line changes on the fly and free throws are handled perfectly.

All the usual game modes are back and some of them see great improvement.  Association, for example, is now the deepest franchise mode in any basketball game thus far and fans will certainly be drawn into its lengthy affair that adds personal upgrades to individual players instead of a team as a whole.  You’ll have your players running drills and taking care of all aspects of your franchise.  This is as deep as it comes in terms of a Franchise mode and it will be sure to consume all your time attempting to take your favorite team to the very top.  Then there’s 24/7: Road to the EBC, a mode that allows you to create your baller from scratch and pit him against various players throughout courts in San Antonio to San Francisco.  It’s a real blast developing your baller’s skills by completing fun drills and you’ll even play against celebrity players.  It’s a great mode that has evolved to an addictive mini-game gamers won’t mind playing again and again.

Then, of course, there’s the Xbox Live support and it’s excellent.  Not only does it run smoothly enough but it also allows gamers to create their own league but also join one and participate in tournaments.  Downloadable content is in the works and there are constant updates making this a homey community you’ll turn to often when a friend isn’t around to play against.

On the graphical front, NBA 2K6 is a gorgeous game that is even better than last year’s version.  Last year the visuals were beautiful but now there’s even more detail to the character models and the arenas look alive with nicely rendered fans and arena detail.  Really, I don’t expect the game to look any better than this ... until, of course, the series makes its inevitable jump to the Xbox 360.

The collection of hip-hop tunes might not be the best but at least they add flavor to the main menu.  What wins big here is the great televised presentation that does an amazing job of bringing the game to life with fans, PA announcements and on the court chatter.  The game hasn’t lost much of its littlest details so you’ll hear the swish of the ball entering the basket and the fans going wild.  I even like the color and play by play handled by Kenny Smith and Kevin Harlan but the sideline commentary by Craig Sager is hardly ever insightful and sometimes hardly even insightful.  Listen closely to what he says and you’ll see what I mean.

With little changes in the overall design or gameplay, the improvements introduced in NBA 2K6 make for an amazing basketball game any b-ball fan or any sports fan in general should own.  It certainly does outshine EA Sports’ NBA basketball game in so many ways.  Don’t get me wrong, NBA Live 06 shows off some great moves but in the end its style and substance that will win you over and this one has plenty of both.  I highly recommend you purchase this one. 

Gameplay: 9.0
The new improvements to the already great gameplay make this the addictive joy that we’re already familiar with.  The new Shot Stick is pretty good but it’s the Dual Player Control that is a dream come true.  It doesn’t get any better than the new Association and 24/7 mode.

Graphics: 9.2
The visuals just keep getting better and better every year and NBA 2K6 sees some beautifully detailed player models that look good while dunking.  The arenas look great as well with more natural-looking fans and a better overall televised presentation.

Sound: 8.0
The collection of tunes is comprised of Ok hip-hop and that’s okay seeing as you’ll only hear them during the main menu screens.  The best stuff comes from the court, particularly the televised feel to the presentation.  The play by play and color commentary is handled decently enough but Craig Sager’s sideline reporting is just plain awful.

Difficulty: Medium
Overall the opponent AI acts much like the real life players so expect cover boy Shaq to be a dominant force but fail miserably at the free throw line.  Even in the Rookie setting you’ll have to put up quite a defense and keep an eye on players like Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter.

Concept: 8.5
The Crib is back and there are plenty of great extras to unlock.  Our favorite game modes are also back but the newly revamped 24/7 mode alone is well worth the purchase price.  Xbox Live is where the action is and it’s the same addictive joy we enjoyed last year.

Multiplayer: 9.0
Once again this is the addictive online basketball game that will consume your soul and you will surrender to its fast and furious yet silky smooth framerate that makes this one your new favorite Xbox Live title.  You can join a league or create one and there are tournaments pitting you against players just as skilled as you are.

Overall: 9.0
NBA 2K6 just proves that you can improve on a series that already comes close to perfection.  The changes are minimal but the changes that are here make for an even better experience worth your time and money so pick this one up right away.