NBA 2K11

NBA fans will appreciate the accurate nuances and historical details of 2K11 while those less hardcore might be put off by the difficulty. Those people should play it with the Move.

A precedent has been set, and there's no reason sports games should look back: NBA 2K11 is equally as impressive as it is important.

The best basketball of all time, with no strings attached. Go out and buy it.

NBA 2K11 has managed to piece together the best parts of past basketball video games to create an experience that is immersive, rewarding, and novel. Though there are frustrations that mostly stem from the level of difficulty, these are changes for the better. Without the addition of Michael Jordan, this would have been a great basketball sim. Add MJ to the mix, and you've got a complete package that will satisfy any fan of the game.

Whilst the level of realism on show in NBA 2K11 may make the game sound a little daunting, what you have to remember is that this is in every way a basketball simulation for fans of the sport rather than a sports title for the casual sports game player.

The fact that 2K Sports did so much more with this game and improved it so greatly over last year's title is stunning. This isn't just the best basketball game ever; it's the best sports game of this generation.

NBA 2K11 is the best basketball game ever. The game have top NBA stars performing like their real life counterparts based on distinct character types, a great gameplay with a strong AI and playing the games is very fun, especially Michael Jordan mode and Manager mode. Visual Concepts have improved everything from 2K10 and today NBA 2K11 is the only alternative to real basketball!

Ultimately, NBA 2K11 brings a lot of freshness to the formula. The inclusion of Air Jordan, the improved dribbling and shot stick use, the ramped-up AI, and the TNT presentation means that there isn't much to dislike about NBA 2K11.

A few things keeps NBA 2K11 from being an ultimate realization but there's no way a true basketball fan can overlook this.

The best basketball game ever.

This yearly update for the NBA 2K series has seen some marked improvements and is undoubtedly one of the best basketball games available on the market.

The Association shows great statistical depth and nice opposing management AI, and My Player provides a long and in-depth journey from proving yourself in the combines, to the draft, and eventually to press conferences, playoffs and stardom.

This is one game that should be on every sports fan's shelf.

NBA 2K11 is a fantastic game, there is nothing wrong about the game and it contains all the content like last year. One new addition is the Michael Jordan Challenge, where you can play a few of the most important moments in his career. Every basketball fan has to buy this game.

NBA 2k11 is amazing. It looks great and it offers depth that actually makes the game deeper. In other words, you can't just ignore the strategy of calling offensive plays in favor of jumping over and sprinting past the defense.

Even if the chief competitor to 2K11 hadn't forfeited the showdown this year, it's hard to imagine a basketball game bringing a more complete, authentic, and fun game of pro basketball to the court than NBA 2K11 does.

Hardcore lovers of the sport will relish the challenge, enjoy every throttling by the AI, and take their skills online. But there'll only be so many times basketball punters will endure this level of difficulty without reverting to Tourette-like hysterics. So yes, it's complex. And yes, the experience oscillates between sublime and diabolical between each game, but basketball is a complex sport. With such unparalleled presentation and unapologetic gameplay, this is likely the best basketball game ever. [December 2010 p76]

The PS3 version of the game is also easily the most responsive and it also performs faster–probably due to the console's processor.

The most accurately detailed sporting video game on the planet at this time. Make no mistake, NBA 2K11 is where amazing happens.

NBA 2K11 is undeniably the best game in the series yet, pushing forward just enough without leaving behind the fans who fell in love with this version of NBA in the first place.

If you are a basketball fan, get this game.

2K Sports has really outdone themselves and everyone else.

NBA 2K11 is a top contender for best sports game of 2011. There have been major improvements over last years edition. The game is hard to master, realistic and complex.

The dilemma over whether to purchase the game comes down to your willingness to knuckle down and learn how to play a basketball game. It will take work but you won't find a better virtual outlet for your passion once you do.

So, whereas NBA 2K10 was a moderate update in the series, 2K11 has made a heaping lot of improvements across the board to achieve a much better overall gameplay experience. The presentation is loud, full of energy, extremely realistic, and hardly ever falters.

NBA 2K11 is by far the best basketball game on the market, and arguably the best sports game in years. Take some time to master the control mechanics, and you will be rewarded with the glory of Michael Jordan.

It's not just another yearly update with some obligatory back-of-the-box modifications; it's a loving study of the greatest player of his generation and his biggest rivals, played out with beautiful sights and sounds that remind us just how great the Air Jordan era was.

2K Sports keeps surpassing itself, and NBA 2K11 could be the best and most complete basketball simulator ever.

Provided you're willing to work at it, and you can look past a dash of cheap AI, you can easily spend the entire NBA season with this game and love every minute of it. If you're wondering if it's better than NBA 2K10, the answer is a big fat "YES."

2K's gameplay is still miles ahead of EA's elite. [Christmas 2010, p.91]

With solid presentation, a great franchise mode, and strong gameplay, NBA 2K11 is an impressive package.

NBA 2K11 is currently the best basketball simulation on the market. Nothing to add.

Everything that Michael Jordan touches, turns into gold. NBA 2K11 is the best game of its kind because of all the improvements that Visual Concepts has added.

The Association Mode improvement of better trade AI is worth it alone. For players who normally stick to the online affairs, they can find and play in competitive leagues with ease.

In the end though, who would pass up the chance to be like Mike?

NBA 2K11 has gone out of its way not to be just another NBA 2K game, but a better NBA 2K game. That is something considering the size of its trophy case.

NBA 2K11 is too complex - and difficult - for its own good. It's also clearly a good game. [Issue#199, p.89]

With the exception of the horrific online performance, NBA 2K11 is really an exceptional basketball title with a ridiculous amount of depth and a shockingly challenging AI.

As one of the few franchises that can challenge the EA Sports hegemony, NBA 2K11 isn't only a great addition to a good sports series. It is compelling, challenging and competitive, and might very well be the best basketball game to date.

A gorgeously simple set of controls. [Christmas 2010, p.109]

Let's face it: it's unlikely you're going to pick this up instead of FIFA 11, but as an alternative to play when football isn't on your brain, this does the job very well indeed.

It still doesn't feel quite like the real thing, but it's very close. [Dec 2010, p.85]

Quotation forthcoming.

It's a shame there are still some hiccups that prevent this from truly soaring, and the online inconsistencies are downright crushing when you want to show off your skills to the world. But the core mechanics are so well realized and the presentation so lifelike that it's hard to keep away once you get sucked into the tantalizing ebb and flow of an NBA game.