NBA 2K2

NBA 2K2 features all the teams, rosters, and, most importantly, rule changes (like the now-legal zone defense) found in the real NBA. Player faces have been mapped to realistic body types (complete with tattoos), so you can identify a big man like Shaq or a speedster like Iverson without looking at their numbers. The game takes full advantage of the graphics-rendering power of advanced consoles by including better texturing, lighting effects, facial animations, and a higher polygon count to make sure all the jukes, spins, jumps, and dunks are as realistic as possible. The audio is also good, particularly the play-by-play, which is accurate and speedy.

The controls are intuitive--even for people used to the Dreamcast--especially in the area of on-the-fly play calling. You can now use the right analog stick instead of the digital pad, so you don't have to take your thumb off the main controls (left analog stick) to call a new play or change formations. Other controls let you quickly and fluidly box out your opponent, spin, shoot, pass, fake, and dunk.

There are also eight street-ball courts, and this addition makes for almost an entirely new game. In this respect, it is the equal of the EA Sports NBA Live series. But NBA 2K2 surpasses EA's title with its excellent AI. This game is challenging, satisfying, and fun in both single and multiplayer modes. --Bob Andrews

Pros:

• Gorgeous graphics
• Intuitive controls
• Great AI

• A release date too long after the start of the NBA season

(This review refers to the PlayStation2 version of this game.)