- Publisher: Sega
- Release Date: Oct 21, 2003
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Represents the pinnacle of the sport in videogame form with its nearly flawless gameplay and wide assortment of modes.
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A basketball technician’s dream. Games against the CPU realistically mimic a real game, while scrimmages against friends received a boost of energy thanks to sped-up gameplay and better shot blocking. ESPN NBA Basketball 2K4 retains the top slot by just a hair.
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Game InformerESPN NBA is not only one game but two, and they both kick ass... The best in video game basketball. [Nov 2003, p.146]
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A masterpiece.
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Drop-dead gorgeous and the gameplay is as smooth and realistic as ever. ESPN looks, plays and sounds as close to the real NBA game as you can possibly get on a console right now.
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A great portrayal of professional basketball. While its counterpart, "NBA Live," may have more razzle and dazzle, ESPN has the fundamentals covered. If you know the difference between a "2" and a "5" when it comes to basketball positions, ESPN is your choice.
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Not only is the gameplay tight, but the addition of 24/7 mode adds a whole new level to the term "must buy"... Overall the best playing basketball game this season.
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Play MagazineWhen you face a player, it's almost like a fighting game: who will execute the proper move first? [Nov 2003, p.104]
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PSM MagazineTreads the fine line between simulation and arcade play - and pulls it off. It's quite simply the best hoops game on the PS2. [Dec 2003, p.40]
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Until the developers master the riddle of team A.I. (players here don't always respond properly in certain situations), work remains undone. Even so, this year's model is great.
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If you are planning on buying only one basketball game this year, ESPN NBA Basketball is the one to get.
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I like more of a sim aspect in my sports games which leaves me undecided about the new arcadish feel of this game.
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While there are still some control problems that keep it from being perfect, Sega's dominance on the hardwood continues. This year makes it a three-peat.
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With its excellent graphics and myriad game modes, ESPN NBA Basketball is a good, strong title. The gameplay quirks like rebounding difficulty and the canned animations are there and can be frustrating, but are easily overlooked when you take in the big picture.
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Overall while it's actually quite fun it really is lacking in imagination, leaving it in the same league as many of its average competitors.
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Clearly, the 24/7 mode is the most impressive element, and it could've easily been its own release. All combined, it adds up to a very good game, due largely to the breakout star.
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GMR MagazineJust as "Madden" continues to dominate gridiron play, so does ESPN NBA Basketball on the hardwood. [Dec 2003, p.84]
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It's the bugs, the lousy camera, ... and absolute necessity to adjust all of the gameplay sliders to find that decent game that shoots the overall score way down.
Awards & Rankings
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15
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71
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#71 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
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User score distribution:
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Positive: 33 out of 39
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Mixed: 2 out of 39
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Negative: 4 out of 39
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May 5, 2018One of the first times "My Player" mode was introduced that I could remember. Almost better than NBA Live in this game...
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H.S.Jun 30, 2004
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EdwardF.Mar 30, 2004I think the controls are easy.rebounding and dunking are very easy.