NBA The Run, the new NBA Street-inspired arcade streetball game developed by Play by Play Studios, will be released this week. The basketball gaming community has had ample chance to see the game in action recently, thanks to a handful of closed and open betas. Whether you’ve taken part in those playtesting sessions for a hands-on preview of the game yourself, or you’ve seen other people’s footage and impressions, at this point you have a rough idea of what to expect. There’s definitely excitement, though not everyone is impressed. At the very least, there are some concerns.

If you’ve listened to any of our podcasts where Dee and I have discussed NBA The Run, you’ll know that we too have a mixture of complimentary and critical opinions of what we’ve seen and played so far, and feel both hopeful and concerned. We want to see the game succeed, but we’ve already identified some of the key challenges that it will face in its quest to do so. And so, I’m metaphorically crossing my fingers and hoping for the best as we enter the final countdown to the game’s launch. To that end, I’m sharing some last minute thoughts before I get my hands on the retail version of NBA The Run, and we ultimately see how it fares in the weeks and months to come.

NBA The Run Has Promise

In the wake of multiple playtesting sessions, one of the most promising signs for NBA The Run is that there have been positive impressions. There’s been (valid) criticism of course, but people have had a good time playing the betas. It’s clear that the game has an audience that likes its style and design principles, and how it’s shaping up so far. The developers have taken feedback from the playtesting sessions on board and made changes that gamers were pleased to see. As Dee has noted on the podcast, they’ve not only done a great job of being receptive to feedback, but also marketing the game. It’s not the game that everyone might’ve been hoping for, but people are still intrigued.

For my part, while I haven’t spent as much time with the game as Dee has, I did enjoy jumping into the second playtest (shout out once more to ThaLiveKing for hooking us up with some codes). Sure, I wasn’t left thinking that this is definitely going to be a hit on the same level as NBA Street, but I also wasn’t totally repulsed by the gameplay. There were satisfying moments – offensively and defensively – and I wanted to play more. Yes, there are some janky moments and ways in which the gameplay can and should improve, but I didn’t have to work too hard to have fun. When the enjoyable moments outweigh the frustrating ones, games can overcome a bit of roughness.

It’s already inspired an enthusiastic fanbase, though there is a drawback to that which I’ll come back to. However, once again it’s clear that there’s interest in the game, so I’d say it’s going to be given a fair chance. There are some great concepts, like featuring famous street courts from around the world, and mixing things up with different rules and gameplay modifiers that are randomly chosen before each match. The art style is fantastic, and some of the players’ faces are superior to their NBA 2K counterparts. In short, the combination of nostalgia for NBA Street, familiar gameplay concepts, new twists, general quality, and good marketing have all set up NBA The Run for success.

It’s a Risky Premise

With that being said, there is a major drawback to NBA The Run: it’s online-only, PvP. While online play is obviously extremely popular and something that a new basketball video game will understandably look to feature, quite a few gamers have already expressed that the lack of offline play or a solo campaign is a deal breaker. It doesn’t help that there still appears to be some confusion surrounding the fact that it’s PvP only. Yes, the game can be played alone if you wish, but it’s not the single player gameplay that a lot of people have in mind. You’re still playing against other people online; there’s no exhibition play against the CPU, or any local multiplayer options.

That’s not what everyone wants or was hoping for when they heard that a new arcade streetball game was in the works; especially if they’ve been waiting for a sequel or spiritual successor to NBA Street (more on that shortly). Not everyone enjoys online play, where the quality of the gameplay experience is heavily reliant on the skill level and sportsmanship of your teammates and opponents alike. Unfortunately, it’s the only mode of play in NBA The Run. NBA 2K has a toxic online scene that from all accounts is even worse than when I was dabbling in it, but it also offers modes with local solo, co-op, and head-to-head play. There’s other content that it can fall back on.

NBA The Run won’t have that advantage. That means the online gameplay experience has to impress, and keep people hooked long-term. That’s easier said than done when it relies on and can easily be ruined by other gamers! It’s also going to be crucial that there are no connectivity problems at launch. If there are disconnections, or difficulty finding matches, or poor connection quality in general in the first week, it’s going to be extremely damaging because there’s no offline campaign or exhibition games to play instead. The premise of an online-only PvP basketball game is already alienating to a lot of virtual hoopers, so NBA The Run can ill-afford to have any server issues.

The Community Could Make or Break NBA The Run

On one hand, it’s awesome to see that the desire for choices in the basketball gaming space and willingness to support a new property has led to NBA The Run cultivating a dedicated community, even before the game has launched. On the other hand, such devotion can quickly mutate into toxic fanaticism, and I’ve already seen some of that. Unfortunately, the game has some very vocal supporters who are trying to shout down all criticism. In particular, they try to dismiss unfavourable comparisons to the NBA Street games, usually with snide remarks about NBA The Run being a different game, NBA Street being in the past, people just being blinded by their nostalgia, and so on.

The problem is that when you make a game that’s meant to be a spiritual successor to another property, comparisons are both inevitable and fair. Even if the concepts are slightly different, you can compare the games on a technical level, and hold up the old title as the benchmark. Beyond those comparisons, there are clearly people who have become too invested in the idea of NBA The Run being The Next Big Thing and a huge success, to the point where they don’t want to hear any criticism, no matter how valid and well-reasoned. Ironically, this kind of cheerleading threatens the potential success of NBA The Run, since it’s standing in the way of constructive feedback!

Shooing away anyone who doesn’t just want to be a cheerleader isn’t only antithetical to seeing a game improve, but it also discourages the kind of support that a brand new title needs to cultivate. It reminds me of the discourse around the NBA Playgrounds games. So many valid criticisms were dismissed with “They’re not NBA Jam or NBA Street”, conveniently overlooking that they differed from those classic games in some questionable ways, among other problems. And now, both NBA Playgrounds games are largely forgotten and irrelevant, removed from digital storefronts with the servers for NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 set to shut down in August. Just some food for thought!

Admirable Responses from the Developers

Thankfully, though the voices trying to stifle criticism are loud, they are a minority. Moreover, it also appears that while the developers appreciate the enthusiasm, they are still listening to people who have constructive feedback to share. They’ve tweaked the tuning in response to complaints and criticisms during the closed and open betas. Your mileage may vary as to whether they’ve made the right changes so far, but the important thing is that they’re willing and able to finetune the experience. They’ve even been able to change their approach to animations that were poorly-received, and add a dribble move button. It hasn’t solved everything, but again, they’re listening.

This bodes well for the game’s potential to improve and grow post-launch. Now, it’s still vital that it makes a great first impression, and keeps people hooked beyond the first week. However, even if NBA The Run is well-received at launch, it can’t be a completely finished product. As more people get their hands on the game and figure out any exploits and so forth, tuning and balance fixes will be essential to maintain a healthy and accessible online scene. More players and variants will have to be added, since the launch roster is a little thin to say the least. I do believe that some offline content and modes of play will need to be added for the game to be truly successful.

Once again, the developers have been open to criticism and suggestions for ways that NBA The Run can improve. I wish they were a bit more enthusiastic about adding an offline campaign, and with all due respect, I think the decision to make the game PvP only was a myopic one to begin with. Still, I appreciate their dedication to the project and willingness to hear constructive feedback above the din of the fanboys. I must also commend Play by Play Studios for being so willing to allow people participating in the closed betas to not only freely share their impressions, but also their gameplay footage. Their confidence in the product and gamer-friendly approach is admirable.

Fingers Crossed

I won’t lie. As much potential as NBA The Run has, there’s also a chance that it will crash and burn. If nothing else, interest may peter out after a few weeks or months because of the lack of content and offline play. Many basketball gamers have been hoping for a revival of the NBA Street series, or a suitable spiritual successor. Again, the comparisons are inevitable, and not unfair. Even if people are willing to accept that this is something new, they’ll still have expectations from a quality standpoint. From what I’ve played and seen, I can absolutely see gamers enjoying NBA The Run, but I can see others being disappointed by the gameplay, or the fact that it’s PvP only.

Nevertheless, it has a shot at succeeding. It’s clearly piqued gamer interest, and I think it can be fun enough on the sticks to keep people playing; even if they’re traditionally not big online gamers. Play by Play Studios has also done a superb job of promoting NBA The Run and cultivating a fanbase that’s eager to support the game, and give it a chance to grow and improve with post-release updates. As much as I believe it was a miscalculation to not include any offline modes beyond practice, the developers are trying to do everything right as far as listening to sensible suggestions and thoughtful feedback. This isn’t some cheap cash-in on nostalgia; they want to make a great game.

Of course, passion doesn’t always guarantee success, but in this case it certainly has me hoping for the best outcome for NBA The Run. I’d like to see the developers’ hard work pay off, and for us to have a fun new basketball video game to play. I think that NBA The Run has already achieved something important in demonstrating that the NBA license isn’t out of reach for smaller developers, or indeed anyone apart from Take-Two. As Kobe Bryant famously once said though, job’s not finished. I hope that the retail version of NBA The Run will allay my concerns, and that it’ll realise its full potential with strong post-release support. Again, I definitely have my fingers crossed.

The post Monday Tip-Off: Fingers Crossed for NBA The Run appeared first on NLSC.

Sayantifico
Sayantifico Mega Draft Class Project

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80 years ago today, the NBA – then the Basketball Association of America – was founded at the Commodore Hotel in New York. Appropriately, this week’s NLSC Top 10 Plays contains many tributes to the history of the league! From the first Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals showdown in NBA Live 99, to Wemby swatting shots in NBA The Run, to Kobe’s clutch play in his eponymous era in NBA 2K25, the stars from yesterday and today are strutting their stuff across eight different basketball video games in our latest countdown. Let’s get to the action!

What was your favourite highlight this week? Sound off in the comments below, and once again, get in on the fun by sending us your best plays! Remember, as long as it’s a basketball game, it’s eligible for the countdown. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to us on YouTube for more basketball gaming videos.

The post NLSC Top 10 Plays of the Week: June 6th, 2026 appeared first on NLSC.

One of the goals of sim games such as NBA 2K and NBA Live back in the day has been to represent the league as realistically and with as much detail as possible. It’s something that games have been able to achieve with greater success as technology has improved, from deeper modes to regular roster updates. To that end, throughout the years we’ve generally been able to point out things that are missing from video games. That includes aspects of the real NBA that haven’t ever appeared on the virtual hardwood, for one reason or another.

Sometimes though, it’s been the other way around, with games including things that we don’t end up seeing in real life. I’m not talking about the over the top action of the arcade games, or the fictional content that we occasionally see in sim titles. There was a reason to include these things in games, but various circumstances prevented them from occurring in reality. As such, basketball video games have captured snapshots of What Ifs, and what would’ve been if not for an unusual turn of events. Some of them look like mistakes – and indeed, they may be roughly implemented in certain cases – but there was originally a need for them. Instead, they became interesting oddities.

1. 1999 Philadelphia All-Star Court

The 1999 lockout wasn’t the NBA’s first labour dispute, but it was definitely the most destructive. Weeks of games were cancelled, resulting in the shortest season in league history. When the action finally got underway, the extended break and abbreviated offseason and training camp led to some ugly basketball early on. The stoppage also contributed to the premature decline and downfall of players like Shawn Kemp and Vin Baker. And of course, with the shorter schedule, the planned All-Star Weekend in Philadelphia needed to be cancelled. The logo for the 1999 event had already been unveiled, but we never got to see the stars balling on a court bearing that branding.

Well, not in real life, anyway! You can actually find the 1999 Philadelphia All-Star court in NBA Live 99 and NBA in the Zone ’99. Notably, exhibition All-Star games in NBA Live 99 are played on the 1998 All-Star court in New York, but the Three-Point Shootout and All-Star Game in Season mode feature the updated floor and location. As for NBA in the Zone ’99, it has a dedicated All-Star Game mode along with the Three-Point Shootout and Dunk Contest. Even though none of those events took place and the 1999 Philadelphia All-Star branding was ultimately reworked for the 2002 Weekend, NBA in the Zone ’99 preserves those original midseason plans.

(Note: The above paragraph has been edited since the original posting to accurately describe the implementation of the 1999 All-Star court in NBA Live 99. Thanks to Pep for the correction!)

2. Original Schedules in Seasons That Lost Games

On the subject of lockouts and things that only appeared in video games as a result of them, that naturally includes the original season schedules. In the real 1999 season, we didn’t get to see the Utah Jazz open the year against fellow Western Conference powerhouse and eventual champion San Antonio Spurs. Instead, they tipped it off against the post-Last Dance Chicago Bulls, in what is undoubtedly one of the saddest NBA Finals rematches the regular season has ever seen! The original schedule is still playable in games, though. The 82-game season option in NBA Live 99, NBA Jam 99, and the aforementioned NBA in the Zone ’99, still uses the original 1999 schedule.

As an aside, NBA in the Zone ’99 included the new 50-game schedule, and it was also patched into the PC version of NBA Live 99. Once again though, if you want to play what would’ve been, you can do so by selecting the 82-game option. The 1999 season titles weren’t the last to be affected by a lockout as NBA 2K12 likewise had to launch with final 2011 season rosters, and an 82-game schedule that would be tossed out and replaced by a 66-game campaign once the labour dispute was resolved. In hindsight, given that the league dictates release dates, it’s odd that games weren’t pushed back in light of those lockouts. Of course, they ended up with interesting content as a result.

3. Voided Trades & Signings

Basketball video games have featured plenty of phantom stints, as I’ve covered in my Friday Five articles over the years. However, while those players never suited up in a season or Playoff game for specific teams in real life, they were nevertheless officially on the roster at some point, thus their presence isn’t an inaccuracy. Also, while those phantom stints are interesting, they aren’t necessarily uncommon, as demonstrated by the fact I’ve been able to write 21 articles on the topic! Conversely, voided trades and signings are far rarer than players briefly being members of a team on paper. It’s even rarer for those – shall we say, exorcised phantom stints – to be captured in any games.

It has happened though! Yes, I’m going to cite two of my favourite examples here. The fourth revision of the arcade version of NBA Jam Tournament Edition features the cancelled Robert Horry for Sean Elliott trade between the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons. It’s either half-completed or half-reversed, as they’re still wearing their old jerseys and erroneously have each other’s portraits. As for voided signings, Michael Redd is on the Dallas Mavericks in NBA Live 2003 PC. Since the roster cut-off date passed while the Milwaukee Bucks were still dragging their feet on matching the offer for their restricted free agent, the game features Redd on the “wrong” team.

4. Players That Ended Up Never Playing in the NBA

Just because you wind up never tallying a single minute in an official NBA game, it doesn’t mean that you can’t end up in an NBA-licensed video game! When it comes to players who have appeared in more video games than actual NBA games, there are some fascinating stories. One of my favourites is JamesOn Curry, who technically has the shortest NBA career with 3.9 seconds of court time in his lone NBA contest. Mind you, at least Curry actually played in a game that counted! A number of second round picks (and a few first rounders), as well as training camp signees, have been on rosters long enough to be included in games, but were released before they could even debut.

There’s Cory Hightower, a Flint, Michigan basketball legend and promising prospect who was drafted in 2000, but never made it beyond training camp. You can find him in NBA Live 2002 though, albeit with a generic face and misspelled first name. Peter Cornell is another player from that era who was signed long enough to appear on the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic in NBA Live 2002 and 2003 respectively, but was cut before the season began. 1999 Knicks Draftee Frederic Weis – the player that was infamously posterised by Vince Carter at the 2000 Olympics – was on the team in Fox Sports NBA Basketball 2000. In short, it’s a long list with some fascinating tales.

5. Full 2020 Season & Regular Playoffs

Whereas NBA Live 99, NBA Jam 99, and NBA 2K12 include schedules that were never played due to games lost at the beginning of the season, NBA 2K20 features a schedule that wasn’t completed as planned! That is of course due to the shutdown on March 11th 2020 as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. While a plan to restart play was approved on June 4th – six years ago yesterday – the rest of the 2020 season was obviously anything but normal! 22 teams played eight more games to determine Playoff seeding, all in the NBA Bubble in Orlando. The NBA Finals took place in October, and then the 2021 season started in December following a brief offseason.

None of this is reflected in NBA 2K20. Whether you’re playing MyLEAGUE or MyCAREER, you can play a full 82-game schedule with teams both travelling and hosting games in their cities as normal. Modders re-created the Bubble, but it wasn’t added in any official updates. I don’t blame the developers for not doing that. I can only imagine how hard it would’ve been to implement those changes to the season post-release, compared to the NBA Live 99 and NBA 2K12 patches that accounted for the lockouts. Besides, it’s kind of nice that NBA 2K20 preserves an image of what we were expecting to see pre-COVID, including a championship without an asterisk.

OK, OK, that was cheap ragebait for Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James fans! In all seriousness though, what are some other things – events, stints, branding – that only appeared in basketball video games for one reason or another? Have your say in the comments, and as always, feel free to take the discussion to the NLSC Forum! That’s all for this week, so thanks for checking in, have a great weekend, and please join me again next Friday for another Five.

The post The Friday Five: 5 Things That Only Appeared in Games appeared first on NLSC.

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Oscar Robertson Face – Young

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MyCAREER stories have undoubtedly been hit or miss. From the way they impact the gameplay experience to the quality of the stories themselves, some have managed to enhance the mode, while others have unfortunately detracted from it. For me, “The Way Back” – the story of NBA 2K19’s MyCAREER – was one of the stronger tales. It took us along a very different path to the NBA, with some genuinely captivating story beats. Sure, there’s a glaring plot hole that could’ve easily been avoided with only a slight change to the ending, but even that makes it interesting!

With that in mind, “The Way Back” is definitely one of my favourite MyCAREER stories. It also helps that the developers got creative in adding interactive elements beyond the usual gameplay. Not only did we have character and dialogue choices, but there were also hoops-related activities ranging from a barnyard pickup game to mini basketball at a fair. This also includes a memorable tribute to the history of the NBA 2K series, as our MyPLAYER ends up playing NBA 2K8 during the course of the NBA 2K19 MyCAREER story. Let’s take a look back…way back…

First of all, a quick recap of “The Way Back” for those who don’t remember, or didn’t play NBA 2K19 MyCAREER. Basically, your MyPLAYER – inexplicably named AI – has to take the long road to the NBA after going undrafted. Beginning in China, he ends up in the G League, where he clashes with the villainous Marcus Young who also aspires to make it to the big time. After being backstabbed by Young and cut in disgrace, AI finally gets his shot at the NBA with the help of his college teammate Corey Harris. Along the way he meets a love interest, is mentored by a former NBA player he admires, and learns a thing or two about patience, humility, and being a pro.

Again, I think it’s one of the best MyCAREER stories, and it’s a shame that we can no longer play it now that the game’s servers have been shut down. If nothing else, it’d be fun to replay those mini-games and interactive sequences in NBA 2K19 MyCAREER, including the game of NBA 2K8. So, how does that come about? After an exhibition game between AI’s fictional Shanghai Bears and a team of NBA Stars featuring Corey Harris, AI and Corey are catching up over dinner. At Corey’s urging, they explore the city, and end up in an arcade. AI points out an NBA 2K8 arcade cabinet; something that never existed as far as I know, but for the sake of the story, let’s pretend it did.

After calling it a “classic 2K” – a ranking that I’m inclined to dispute – they reminisce about spending countless hours playing it in their dorm. While the timeline may seem off considering that NBA 2K8 was released in 2007, and the setting of NBA 2K19 MyCAREER would mean the two were in college in the 2010s, this is immediately explained by AI mentioning that the game originally belonged to Corey’s brother, and that “everyone was too cheap to buy the new console”. Putting aside the unfortunate connections to the currently all-too-common “you’re broke” rhetoric, it’s realistic that a bunch of college students would be stuck with an old console one of them brought!

Corey taunts AI by suggesting that it was the one game that he let him win at, banter that naturally prompts them to sit down and play some NBA 2K8. That is to say that we get to play some NBA 2K8, right in the midst of NBA 2K19 MyCAREER! It’s a short game as the quarter length is set to two minutes, but we can play it through to the end and defeat Corey (i.e. the CPU). We can’t change any gameplay options, and we’ll always be taking on the Boston Celtics with the Houston Rockets. Both the 2008 Celtics and 2008 Rockets are classic teams in NBA 2K19, so it’s a safe bet that that’s the reason NBA 2K8 was the old release chosen to make a cameo in MyCAREER.

The really cool part of this interactive sequence is how the gameplay and visuals resemble NBA 2K8…well, for all intents and purposes. Let’s begin with the visual effects. Not only is there a filter resembling a CRT screen – something that’d be more common in 2007, and college students might still be stuck with years later in addition to an old console – but the textures look much less detailed and lifelike compared to NBA 2K19’s regular graphics. The overlays and scoreboard are retro, though they admittedly resemble the ones from NBA 2K7. I do believe it’s still meant to be NBA 2K8 with those rosters, but it’s probably why they simply refer to it as a “classic 2K”.

While the throwback visuals and repurposed classic teams set the scene, perhaps the most impressive aspect of this glimpse of NBA 2K8 in NBA 2K19 MyCAREER is the gameplay. During this sequence, the controls mimic the ones found in NBA 2K8. That means no right stick dribbling; it’s purely the old Shot Stick. Obviously those aren’t the controls that I normally prefer, but I appreciate that they were portraying NBA 2K8 so authentically. As a mini-game purely intended to break up the usual MyCAREER experience with a bit of flavour content, they could’ve gotten away with having contemporary controls. Instead, they went the extra mile to be era-appropriate.

It’s especially impressive because as far as I can tell, they didn’t just emulate NBA 2K8 (or NBA 2K7 for that matter) within NBA 2K19 MyCAREER. Again, the overlays are a mismatched re-creation – though obviously still appropriately of the general era – rather than the actual assets. Even with the filter, the player models are far more detailed and realistic than the NBA 2Ks of the mid-2000s, and you can also see modern animations. If someone can prove otherwise than I’ll certainly admit to being wrong, but all signs point to the developers successfully “de-making” the NBA 2K19 gameplay and graphics to feature NBA 2K8 as part of the MyCAREER story.

Even though NBA 2K8 isn’t one of my favourite releases in the series, I really enjoy that they did that. With NBA 2K19 being celebrated as the series’ 20th anniversary, I like that they found a way to pay tribute to an earlier title with such authenticity. It’s a clever use of licensed historical content. It was a good way of fleshing out the back story of AI and his former teammate, with a scenario that you could definitely see happening with college kids in the early 2010s. And of course, it was an unexpected but certainly welcome interactive sequence in the midst of a long story cutscene. It may not have been completely necessary, but it was nevertheless an excellent touch.

Win or lose, the story will advance, with Corey either good-naturedly celebrating his victory, or showing grace in defeat. Indeed, no matter what the outcome, the story ends up using the NBA 2K8 showdown to underscore one of the themes of “The Way Back”, that being AI’s need to grow up and be less self-centred. Indulging in nostalgia from their college days establishes AI and Corey’s friendship and what they have in common, but also demonstrates how they’re different and have grown apart. Corey has matured, while AI hasn’t. To that end, that game of NBA 2K8 ends up having a narrative purpose on top of being a fun throwback and added interactivity for us.

Incidentally, this is where the story ends in The Prelude. As such, apart from another dialogue option, the NBA 2K8 showdown with Corey Harris is the last interactive part of that pre-release glimpse of MyCAREER in NBA 2K19. In hindsight, it was a good place to put a bookmark in “The Way Back”, giving us the option of picking up the story as AI arrives in Los Angeles if we choose to keep using our MyPLAYER from The Prelude. Considering that we had the ability to earn VC and upgrade that pre-release MyPLAYER – and that playing through MyCAREER once unlocked the ability to skip the story in future playthroughs – it was a good idea to do just that.

The ability to access and play a game in whole or in part within a sequel – what TV Tropes refers to as an Embedded Precursor – definitely isn’t unheard of. Super Mario Bros. 3 included the original Mario Bros. as a multiplayer mini-game. You can play Maniac Mansion within its sequel, Day of the Tentacle. Beating the original Donkey Kong arcade game is necessary to finish Donkey Kong 64. It’s not very common with basketball video games, though. Notably, the NTSC release of NBA Live 06 for the PlayStation 2 included a stripped-down, emulated version of NBA Live 95 for Sega Genesis. Mind you, for legal reasons, all of the players had to be made fictional!

Thanks to licensing an array of classic teams, NBA 2K19 was able to provide a more authentic flashback to NBA 2K8 as part of its MyCAREER story. It’s obviously not as accessible as other examples of Embedded Precursors, since not everyone plays that mode. Once again though, it was a very quick glimpse of an earlier game in the series, simply intended to be flavour content and a fun mini-game to make “The Way Back” more interesting. It also tied nicely and logically into the story, providing a means of both exploring the protagonist’s character and setting up a scene that underscored one of the main themes. It’s both enjoyable to play, and an excellent storytelling device.

Could it have worked if different classic teams were used to simulate another earlier game in the series? Sure, but NBA 2K8 is a better fit for the timeline. Is it actually NBA 2K8, considering the NBA 2K7 overlays and the fact it’s only referred to as a “classic 2K”? I’d say the 2008 rosters make it fairly obvious that it is; the developers just employed some creative license, perhaps because NBA 2K7’s blue colour scheme is nicer. Am I reading too much into its relevance to the plot, like I’m in high school English class? The “it’s not that deep” crowd will no doubt say yes, but I stand by my literary analysis! In short, it was a fun throwback that made a great story even better.

The post Wayback Wednesday: NBA 2K8 in NBA 2K19 MyCAREER appeared first on NLSC.

No matter the genre, online gaming undoubtedly has its ups and downs, depending on what you’re playing and who you’re playing with! To that point, this week we reflect on two very different online basketball gaming experiences. The first is the recent open beta for NBA The Run, while the second is our latest four and five-player Parsec sessions with NBA Live 96 for Super Nintendo and NBA Live 10 for PlayStation 3. We also have some further impressions of NBA The Run to share ahead of its release next week. We’ve still got our concerns about the game, but we’re keeping our minds open and fingers crossed for a successful launch, and are hoping for some fun times on the virtual blacktop.

To get involved with the mailbag or to provide any feedback on the show, hit us up in the comments, reach out on social media, or post here in the NLSC Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. You can also find the show on our YouTube channel, along with the rest of our video content. As always, thanks for tuning in, and go get buckets!

The post NLSC Podcast #633: The Ups & Downs of Online Gaming appeared first on NLSC.

Just like any other sport or physical activity, injuries are an unfortunate inevitability in basketball. From hard collisions and rough landings, to dirty play and simple wear and tear, there’s a possibility of getting hurt. Injuries have altered the course of series, seasons, and entire careers. You could say that they’re one of the leading causes of What Ifs! To that end, because injuries have a significant impact on the NBA, it only makes sense that they’re part of basketball video games. I’m mostly referring to the simulation games, but there’s a place for them in arcade titles as well.

Sure, in the moment, you may not be exactly thrilled to see injuries occur. You don’t necessarily want to see your virtual players get hurt any more than you’d wish for the injury bug to bite your favourite teams and players in real life. There are undoubtedly times when you’d prefer not to suffer any injuries on the virtual hardwood, so you’ll switch them off in the gameplay settings accordingly. If they’re unavoidable – such as being a story beat in MyCAREER – they can be extremely frustrating. However, I can attest that injuries have actually enhanced a handful of my franchise and career mode games. As such, they’re conspicuous by their absence in titles that don’t feature them.

In-game injuries certainly aren’t a recent innovation. As far back as the 90s, hard fouls carried the possibility of scratching players from the lineup. In early NBA Live titles, players could be injured and unavailable for the rest of the quarter, or sidelined for the remainder of the game. There were no specific injuries as in later games, but it was a still a realistic touch that could make things difficult if we lost a star or another key player. Of course, because we wanted to see games become deeper and even more realistic, we dreamed of those in-game injuries carrying over to the following game in season play. In lieu of that, we had to use our imagination, and sometimes other tools.

For example, if a player was injured for a quarter, we might have him miss the next game or two. Also, since there was a rule at the time that any player placed on the inactive list had to remain inactive for five games, you could have him miss more time for added realism. If a player was injured for the rest of a game, he’d be held out for a few weeks to simulate a more serious injury. We created “injury generators” that randomly selected a player in your lineup and an injury for them to sustain, along with a number of games for them to miss. Other methods such as rolling dice, flipping a coin, or drawing slips out of a hat, could be used to determine multi-game injuries.

As self-imposed challenges, these were obviously all done on the honour system and at your own discretion, if you felt it might ruin the fun. I’m sure it sounds incredibly weird and laughably primitive to anyone who didn’t grow up with those early games, but they were effective solutions for injecting some more realism into titles that didn’t have that level of detail yet. While they’re certainly not preferable to players actually being able to sustain injuries that last beyond the current game, I do have nostalgia for those makeshift solutions. They speak to how passionate we were about the games, how much we wanted to see them improve, and how willing we were to improvise.

Eventually, we came to see that depth added to the sim titles. In addition to players getting hurt during simulation, injuries sustained during gameplay could have an impact on future games. Furthermore, the injuries were specific: sprains, fractures, tears, and so on. Some were minor and just affected performance, while others were serious and put players on the shelf. It was the realism we’d been hoping for, and had been trying to emulate. Injuries could still be a bit too infrequent, so we didn’t ditch those injury generators and other solutions right away. Once sliders allowed us to determine injury frequency though, we could usually just leave it up to the games.

Mind you, I was still employing some self-imposed restrictions and imagination for my Chicago Bulls Dynasty in NBA Live 2004. If a player was placed on the inactive list, I wouldn’t activate them until five games had passed. Jay Williams was on the roster, but as he’d suffered what appeared to be (and ultimately was) a career-ending injury, I kept him on the inactive list throughout the entire 2004 campaign. I had a couple of players sustain minor injuries, but even though they were listed as day-to-day, I opted to sit them in order to both avoid further injury and challenge myself to play short-handed. It was more interesting than having a healthy roster for 82 games!

That held true for my Chicago Bulls Dynasty in NBA Live 06 as well. Injuries played a huge role in that memorable game becoming one of my all-time favourite virtual hardwood experiences. Naturally, at first it was a bummer when Ben Gordon broke his wrist and was ruled out for 20 games. However, that led to me deciding to sign Latrell Sprewell as a free agent, and finding a way to remain competitive without my rising star. In fact, thanks to injuries, no player on my roster ended up playing in all 82 games; a first for any of my full-length seasons! Along with Gordon missing out on being named an All-Star, it really added to the underdog feel of that first title run.

Although I have mixed feelings about MyCAREER stories saddling us with injuries – especially in NBA 2K17 when a bug negated my All-Star selection – being hurt has added to the journey. From riding the bench for the first two games and then getting an opportunity when a teammate went down, to missing a few more games later in the year with a hurt ankle, to having your very own “Flu Game”, injuries and illness do make NBA 2K14 MyCAREER’s tale more interesting. As I’ve played through six full seasons, having Carmelo Anthony and Terry Hanson suffer season-ending injuries has definitely resulted in each campaign having its own vibe, narrative, and challenges.

The fun that I’ve had with basketball video games as the result of injuries – whether I’m controlling the entire team or just a MyPLAYER – is why I believe they’re an essential part of franchise and career modes; assuming that you desire that level of realism, of course. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with turning off injuries if you find that always having a healthy roster is more enjoyable, and there are plenty of scenarios and ways of playing through seasons where it would be. If you do want the realistic touch of injuries and they’re not part of the gameplay however, you really do miss them. To that point, unfortunately they ended up being removed from NBA Live.

I remember how exciting it was to see injury animations in the NBA Live 10 demo. Players would hold their head or arm, clutch their knees and ankles after crumpling to the floor, or limp back up the court following a hard fall or collision. The commentary would acknowledge that they looked hurt, and might have to come out of the game. Best of all, unlike in previous games, these apparent injuries didn’t just occur when there was a foul, which was far more realistic. Sadly, that was the extent of injuries in the demo and the retail version of NBA Live 10 alike. Players will appear to get hurt, but they won’t be forced to the bench in the current game, or sidelined for future ones.

This lack of injuries was one of the factors that made it difficult for me to get hooked on NBA Live 10’s Dynasty mode all those years ago. While I’ve since developed a new appreciation for the gameplay and enjoy dusting it off for all kinds of exhibition showdowns, a season without the risk of losing any players remains unappealing. My enthusiasm for the NBA Live 16 Dynasty that I started last year has likewise been dampened by the prospect of having my entire lineup available all season long. I’m not ready to abandon it completely, but the risk of injuries adds to the flavour of the franchise experience. Without them, it’s missing an extremely important ingredient.

Now, you might suggest that I fall back on some old methods here. I’d be lying if I said that they hadn’t come to mind, and part of me really likes that idea. It’d be a fun throwback, not to mention back up nostalgic boasts about my generation’s ability to enhance our gaming through imagination and improvisation! At the same time, I’m not entirely keen to go so old school here. My expectations are different now that basketball games have advanced as much as they have. Just as I’m not inclined to pore over a printed street directory when I have Google Maps on my phone to navigate, I’d rather just play a title that features a deep, robust franchise mode and in-game injuries.

As I noted, injuries can also play an important role in arcade basketball video games. Whereas they’re a vital component for authenticity in the sim games, in arcade titles they can add a strategic element to the gameplay. I’ll admit that part of the reason I prefer NBA Jam Tournament Edition to the original NBA Jam is because I actually played it first, but after comparing the two, I still believe that TE made some excellent upgrades. One of them is the injury level. The more a player is knocked down, the more nondescript injuries he sustains, causing him to slow down and suffer a drop in performance. Stronger players can weather more hits before they start to get injured.

The injury level made the gameplay in NBA Jam TE slightly deeper. There was now risk and reward to the physical play. Opting to shove your opponent would wear them down, like the Bad Boy Pistons beating up on other teams back in the day. Of course, your players could suffer the same fate if you couldn’t avoid the physicality. However, shove attempts can leave you out of position and behind the play with depleted turbo, so it wasn’t always an ideal approach. Moreover, injuries provided an incentive to make substitutions so that players could recover and perform at their best. This meant playing with some different faces, and trying to avoid being stuck with bad matchups.

It’s a factor that’s missing from later arcade releases, including otherwise fantastic titles such as NBA Hangtime, NBA Jam 2010, and NBA Jam: On Fire Edition. As there are no injuries in those games, there’s usually never any reason to sub unless you’ve got a mismatch, or you feel like switching things up. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean if you have an OP duo, you can just ride them through an entire game no matter how often they’re being knocked to the floor. Again, they’re still superb games and they built on NBA Jam Tournament Edition in other ways, but the way that injuries encouraged subs added to the strategy, balance, and challenge.

With that being said, whether by design or by choice, basketball video games can still be a blast without injuries. I believe that in-game injuries that can carry over to future games in season play are essential to include in sim games, but there should always be the option of turning them off. Similarly, as much as I think that injuries in NBA Jam Tournament Edition were beneficial and could’ve enhanced its successors, I’d also still nominate On Fire Edition as the best NBA Jam title, and a contender for best arcade hoops title, period. I’d never say that anyone is wrong for preferring not to lose any players due to injury, particularly as there are times when that’s my preference, too.

Nevertheless, injuries have been and continue to be an important part of the virtual hardwood. Their absence from NBA Live during the seventh and eighth generation releases is another example of how the series took a step backwards, and lost some vital depth. Strange as it may seem to desire such an unfortunate turn of events, the risk of losing players and adjusting your lineup and strategy is a crucial element of a sim experience that strives to emulate real life down to the last detail. They make the games in season play feel alive, and connected. As unlucky as they seem when they occur, injuries have been a fortuitous mixed blessing that’s enhanced my gaming.

The post Monday Tip-Off: The Importance of Injuries appeared first on NLSC.

The ratings for all players have been updated to reflect their 2026 season performance. Plenty of new cyberfaces have been added, along with updated Draft Class and Playoff files. It’s definitely worth checking out if you want to update NBA 2K13 with 2026 rosters! Additionally, updated Eurobasket jerseys have been added to the 2025 FIBA Eurobasket mod.

For those who are unaware, PatTheHead’s project contains decades worth of historical NBA rosters. Not only that, but there are comprehensive roster mods for the ABA, BAA, NBL, ABL, PBLA, and NBPL. You’ll also find rosters for Olympic and other international tournaments, going right back to the early days of basketball. As I’ve said before, the project is undoubtedly a love letter to hoops!

Download the latest version of the roster here in our Downloads database. For more information on the project and previews of what’s to come, be sure to check out the release and support topic here in the Forum. Once again, a huge thanks to PatTheHead for his hard work on the 2026 update and other rosters for NBA 2K13, and everyone else who contributes to the project! It’s wonderful to see an old favourite being kept alive with a mod that’s freely available to everyone in the community.

The post 2026 Rosters for NBA 2K13 Updated (PatTheHead) appeared first on NLSC.

This week’s NLSC Top 10 Plays is another demonstration of the artistry of the dunk, with players pulling all kinds of tricks out of their bags and putting each other on posters. Things also get a little cartoonish – dare I say looney – with the number one play in the countdown! There’s also a great play from a four-player co-op session of NBA Live 96 for Super Nintendo, another glimpse of high-flying action in NBA The Run, and some awesome mods and historical content on display. Let’s get to the action!

What was your favourite highlight this week? Sound off in the comments below, and once again, get in on the fun by sending us your best plays! Remember, as long as it’s a basketball game, it’s eligible for the countdown. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to us on YouTube for more basketball gaming videos.

The post NLSC Top 10 Plays of the Week: May 30th, 2026 appeared first on NLSC.

As I’ve taken a few more trips around the sun, I’ve developed stronger opinions about veterans seemingly being shooed out of the NBA. It just doesn’t feel right when long-tenured players – especially former All-Stars – end their careers so unceremoniously. Of course, as Jackie MacMullan discussed in a column some ten years ago, veteran NBA players don’t always know when their time has come, and when to let go. She cited R.C. Buford, who recalled an embarrassing 15-minute workout by an unnamed former Spurs player after they expressed an interest in returning midseason.

Mind you, some players do retire too soon, while others have shown that they can still be productive in their late 30s and even into their 40s. There have also been successful comebacks, even if those players weren’t quite as good as they were in their prime. As much as “Wizards Michael Jordan” is a meme, that stint is slightly underrated, as MJ was finding his groove prior to his knee injury. With that in mind, I’m in favour of players making or even just considering comebacks. There are some fascinating What Ifs with the ones that almost happened, and they could’ve been a blast in video games, too. And so, here are five more comebacks that would’ve been fun for hoops gamers!

1. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: New York Knicks (Or Maybe, the Detroit Pistons?)

It’s surprising that this isn’t one of the bigger stories when it comes to NBA What Ifs. At the very least, it flew under my radar for a long time! Perhaps it’s because it didn’t come all that close to actually happening, but the possibility of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar returning in 1991 should be mentioned alongside the potential comebacks of Wilt Chamberlain and other Legends. Nevertheless, Kareem did indeed consider making a comeback in the wake of Magic Johnson’s announcement that he was retiring due to his HIV diagnosis. On top of generating positive buzz and helping to raise awareness, he also intended to donate a portion of his salary to help with HIV/AIDS research.

There were no discussions with any teams, though naturally once Kareem floated the idea, there was interest. His former coach Pat Riley was very open to having him on the Knicks, and then-Pistons GM Jack McCloskey wouldn’t rule anything out. Both are intriguing scenarios, especially with the Knicks already poised to contend for the title in 1992. Though Kareem had obviously slowed down and taken a back seat to Magic in his later years, he could still play. As Riley noted, he kept in fantastic shape, and could’ve been a solid backup to Patrick Ewing. That Knicks team may still fall to the Bulls, but they’d be great in video games, especially as a retro squad nowadays.

2. Magic Johnson: The Two Comebacks That Didn’t Happen

Speaking of Magic Johnson, he did end up making a comeback in 1996; just another event that made that legendary season special! There were other potential comebacks, though. The first was in 1992, after winning gold with the Dream Team. Magic suited up for the Lakers in the preseason and played well, but in the early 90s, there was still a lack of understanding about HIV/AIDS. As such, other players – most vocally Karl Malone – were concerned about the risk of infection, despite the unlikelihood. When Magic suffered a cut in a game against the Cavaliers (actually just a scratch that didn’t even bleed), the reaction to the incident contributed to his decision to remain retired.

Magic’s eventual comeback in 1996 has an interesting and complicated legacy, but if nothing else, it allowed him to walk away on his terms. The Lakers renounced their rights to him when he retired again, which helped clear cap space to sign Shaquille O’Neal. Unsurprisingly, the idea of playing with Shaq appealed to Magic, leading to thoughts of another comeback. It would’ve had to wait until January 1997 because of his rights being renounced, but we realistically could’ve had a Lakers team featuring Shaq, Magic, and a rookie Kobe Bryant! That squad would be a blast to use in any of the 1997 video games, and I’d absolutely want them as a classic team in NBA 2K.

3. Carlos Boozer: San Antonio Spurs

In the aforementioned Jackie MacMullan article, it’s revealed that there was mutual interest in Carlos Boozer joining the Spurs in 2016, after he remained unsigned the previous season. However, the team wanted him to participate in their June minicamp, which the former All-Star declined. Boozer also subsequently decided against joining the Spurs’ Summer League squad, and by the end of July he’d signed on to play in China. His best days were behind him, but he’d still been solid for the Lakers in 2015. I’m not saying he would’ve made the Spurs contenders, but he could’ve shored up their bench. It’s also the kind of depth that makes teams more fun to use in video games.

Furthermore, it could’ve set a great example for other veterans who may be eyeing comebacks. Look, I’m sure it was a blow to the ego of a former All-Star and once-coveted free agent to be asked to prove himself alongside draftees and other NBA hopefuls. I can see how it would feel disrespectful. However, as R.C. Buford said, he’d sat out a year, and they wanted to evaluate him. Whereas Antoine Walker and Baron Davis were willing to play in the D-League when attempting their comebacks, Boozer seemingly let pride get in the way of an even better opportunity. Had he not, it could’ve illuminated a path back to the NBA for other veterans seeking one more shot.

4. Jerry Stackhouse: Toronto Raptors

MacMullan’s article also includes some insights from Jerry Stackhouse, who at the time was an assistant for the Raptors, and just a few years removed from being that aging player whose career was petering out. Stack recalls how he initially earned more minutes than he anticipated as a veteran mentor when he outplayed some of his much younger Nets teammates, but ended up being benched following a coaching change. He was therefore rusty when called upon in the Playoffs, and his final games were unimpressive to say the least. Stack’s skills didn’t just disappear though, and as an assistant for the Raptors in 2016, he held his own against their players in practices.

Needless to say, thoughts of a comeback crossed Stack’s mind; particularly when the team was in search of a stretch four. Personally, I’d have loved to see that happen! On top of making the virtual Raptors interesting in video games, it could’ve destroyed a bunch of ignorant narratives. It would’ve been beautiful to watch people who assert that the 90s were lacking in skill, and that 6’7″ forwards from that era would be small guards today, tie themselves in knots whenever they were asked to explain why a 6’6″ swingman drafted in 1995 was not only knocking down threes, but capable of playing power forward in a supposedly “evolved” modern NBA…and at the age of 42, no less!

5. Clyde Drexler: A Contender in the Early 2000s

Even as we were entering the mid 2000s, it still seemed possible that we might see stars of the 90s making comebacks. While some were proactively pursuing a return, others were merely open to the idea. To that point, unlike Dennis Rodman, Clyde Drexler wasn’t looking to make a comeback circa 2004. He was still receiving offers from teams though, and while he stated that it’d take a strong pitch from a contender to lure him out of contented retirement, he also didn’t completely shut the door on the idea. In fact, The Glide opined that he could still be effective in limited minutes off the bench as a player-coach, and even called the prospect of being a role player “fun”.

It could’ve been fun for us basketball fans and gamers, too. Had he signed on with any of the contenders from the early 2000s, there would’ve been plenty of interest in how well he played, and if he could make a positive contribution in a smaller role. Though he’d obviously have lower ratings, his virtual counterpart would also make that team novel to use on the virtual hardwood. Among other What Ifs, I also wonder if it might have made it more acceptable for other stars to either stick around as player-coaches when they’re past their prime, or consider making comebacks in such a role. We often see it as sad, but I think Drexler could’ve shown it can be done with dignity and grace.

Do you wish these comebacks became a reality? Are there any other rumoured returns that I haven’t yet covered that you would’ve been keen to see? Have your say in the comments, and as always, feel free to take the discussion to the NLSC Forum! That’s all for this week, so thanks for checking in, have a great weekend, and please join me again next Friday for another Five.

The post The Friday Five: 5 Comebacks That Would’ve Been Fun To Play With (Part 6) appeared first on NLSC.

SexCurryBeats
LA Fitness
AAU Gym
House of Clutch MT Arena
Chris Brickley Gym
Animation Lab
Rec Arena
Blacktop for NBA Games
MP Builder Court
2KVenueLab (Updated to v1.4)

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Tim Hardaway Face

Thanks to everyone who continues to contribute to our Downloads database! If you need help uploading files, be sure to check out this video tutorial. For more information about downloads, the modding community, and Mod Releases bulletins, please see this FAQ in our Wiki.

The post NBA 2K26 Mod Releases: Courts & Tim Hardaway Face appeared first on NLSC.

I’ve really enjoyed going back and developing more of an appreciation for the seventh generation NBA 2K titles prior to NBA 2K13. Well, most of them! NBA 2K6 is now one of my favourite basketball video games, and I also ended up getting hooked on NBA 2K7 after revisiting it. NBA 2K8 felt like a misstep – an opinion that you’ll find in contemporary reviews of the game – but the series quickly got back on track with NBA 2K9. That game immediately shot up my rankings after I spent some more time with it, which includes a co-op Chicago Bulls Association with Dee.

That brings me to NBA 2K10. Like its predecessor, I think it’s unfortunately come to be overshadowed by the admittedly fantastic releases that followed it. To that point though, it’s still an excellent game in its own right. There are definitely aspects that its successors improved upon, but NBA 2K10 is still comparable in terms of its overall quality and how fun it is on the sticks. And so, just as I warmed up to its counterpart from EA Sports after it entered my rotation in 2021, I’m now quite fond of NBA 2K10 as well! Let’s take a look back…way back…

I’ll start out with what has always been my biggest complaint about every NBA 2K game before NBA 2K13: the dribbling controls. Even as I’ve become more proficient with the original Isomotion controls, I still believe it’s an inferior mechanic to NBA Live’s various iterations of Freestyle Control. With that being said, NBA 2K10 has one of my favourite takes on Isomotion prior to the adoption of right stick controls in NBA 2K13. The controls in the PC version – which are similar to the Alternate A layout in the 360 and PS3 releases – provide crossover and spin move buttons. The similarity to pre-Freestyle Control NBA Live titles makes it very accessible to me.

Additionally, the full range of Isomotion moves can still be performed using the left stick in conjunction with the shoulder buttons. I find that I can get by fine using the face buttons though, and they’re much handier in a pinch. Contrary to what’s printed in the manual, the default control layout and other alternate layouts from the console versions don’t actually appear to be available in the PC version. That’s unfortunate as choice is important, and I expect some gamers would prefer the other configurations. Still, I personally think the PC port opted for the best one. However, it did sacrifice the pick and roll/call for slip screen button, so all picks must come via playcalling.

The Alternate B controller configuration on console actually features dribbling moves on the right stick, but it’s nowhere near as good as NBA Live’s Freestyle. Moreover, it also removes the Shot Stick controls, as well as the ability to contest shots with the right stick on defense, so I’d suggest that it isn’t preferable. As such, I’d recommend sticking with the default layout or Alternate A configuration on console. Again, aside from losing the pick control button, the PC version’s lone configuration option feels like a good choice. Between the two buttons and the full Isomotion controls using the modifier and left stick, the dribbling moves are accessible and satisfying to pull off.

Thanks to the Shot Stick, the shooting controls are deep. They’re mostly logical and straightforward: hold the right stick left or right of the basket to finish left or right, in the direction of a player’s movement to perform a drifter, away from the basket for a leaner, and so on. When sprinting to the basket, holding the Shot Stick in different directions will perform different styles of dunks accordingly. Post play feels a bit contrived to me, though. Hooks and jumpers are simple enough, but I’m not a fan of incorporating the shoulder buttons to perform a spin, up and under, or step through. It works, but it doesn’t feel intuitive, particularly as there’s no manual post-up control.

Still, for the most part I like the controls in NBA 2K10. Alley-oops involve an extra button – the modifier plus pass, rather than a single button for lobs as in NBA Live 10 – but they work much better! The lack of pick control in the PC version eliminates an easy way to set them up when playing solo, but when players are in the right position you can hit them with the lob for the throwdown. Defensively, you’ve got all the tools to make stops, though steals are perhaps slightly too hard to come by on the default slider settings. There’s a bit of “press steal to foul”, but the game does reward good timing. Blocks are fun, whether they’re big swats or more controlled deflections.

Rebounding is solid. As in NBA 2K9, sometimes battling on the boards will result in a cheap, canned goaltending or offensive interference call, but not as frequently. For the most part, the gameplay in NBA 2K10 is fairly well-balanced. Lower difficulty levels can end up being too easy for experienced gamers, while the higher levels will display some vicious comeback logic. Strong, sensible play will be rewarded though, and the CPU’s rallies don’t feel quite as phoney as they do in NBA 2K8. Shooting percentages and scores can sometimes be higher than normal, but generally speaking, NBA 2K10 was attempting to be as realistic as possible on the virtual hardwood.

To that end, you can expect the right players to be taking the most shots, and for the AI to be running plays and seeking to take advantage of mismatches and mistakes. The CPU does tilt the balance in its favour at times with the usual tricks, some of which are still issues even today. You can expect to rack up a few turnovers thanks to psychic steals, and the AI will rig the dice roll on some difficult shots that the user is more likely to miss. Jumpshots are viable, so you won’t necessarily have to pound it inside just to keep up with the CPU. Release points are tied to animations though, so timing jumpers and free throws can be tough without a meter or another visual cue.

While some of the advanced controls are complex compared to NBA Live 10, and the AI can be quite brutal in an effort to provide a challenge, I’ve come to really enjoy the gameplay in NBA 2K10. The controls are responsive, and the players feel a bit lighter than their NBA Live 10 counterparts. NBA 2K10 undoubtedly has the advantage in animation quality and variety. NBA Live 10 is one of the strongest seventh gen NBA Live titles in that regard, but NBA 2K10 has it beat as far as looking more lifelike in general, as well as providing deeper authenticity with the amount of signature player animations. The wider array of generic animations is also a strength of NBA 2K10.

As much as I love NBA Live 10, it has the same problem that many NBA Live titles have had. A majority of its dunks and layups are more suitable for driving finishes, but look awkward and are sometimes less effective from a standing start. The dunks in particular favour highlight plays, which is certainly fun but also tends to be riskier. Even during the seventh generation, NBA 2K was doing a better job of providing quick flushes and other simple driving dunks, as well as an array of shots in the paint and standing dunks under the rim. It makes the action look far more realistic, not to mention it feels like you’ve got a better arsenal of moves to throw at your opponents.

The atmosphere and presentation in NBA 2K10 is excellent, imitating a late 2000s NBA on TNT broadcast as closely as possible without the branding. Kevin Harlan and Clark Kellogg are on the call, and they’re great as always. Cheryl Miller is working the sidelines, and her reports add to the immersion. There are also pre-game rituals for players and teams alike, from LeBron James’ chalk toss to Dwyane Wade’s pull-ups on the rim. Notably, the rituals aren’t cutscenes, so you might see a player performing theirs in the background while the camera is focusing on another player of interest. The rituals each have their own frequency, so as to avoid becoming too repetitive.

NBA 2K10 also features the debut of the short-lived Pressbook as part of its game wrap-up menu. The Pressbook features a slideshow of moments from the game you just played, from angles that you’d expect to see from NBA photographers. These screenshots could be uploaded to 2K Share – while that was still available for NBA 2K10 – and downloaded for use elsewhere. The Pressbook only lasted until NBA 2K12, and while it may not seem necessary these days, I believe that it could still be useful. Not only could it save time by not having to pause to get the perfect screenshot in instant replay, but it could also generate some cool thumbnails for content creators!

I’m by no means a graphics snob – as is evident from my love of retro gaming – but I still appreciate good visuals. NBA 2K10’s graphics are great for the time, and I’d also deem them to be a slight improvement over NBA 2K9. Player faces are definitely hit and miss though, with some looking more like action figures compared to NBA Live 10’s realistic likenesses. Obviously gameplay is paramount and some bad faces won’t prevent me from enjoying the on-court experience, but it’s worth noting that it’s one area where NBA 2K lagged behind in 2009. Indeed, NBA Live 10 features a better face for Kobe Bryant than NBA 2K10, despite him being the latter’s cover player!

Once again though, gameplay is what matters the most. While NBA Live 10 is more accessible and still a blast on the virtual hardwood, NBA 2K10 offers more depth and authenticity. It’s also the superior release when it comes to modes. The Association in NBA 2K10 remains deeper than Dynasty in NBA Live 10, in just about every way. In addition to allowing up to 30 user-controlled teams, Association includes the option to play preseason and D-League games. Fictional players from the D-League can also be signed. Contracts include both player and team options, as well as no-trade clauses. Three team trades are possible, and picks from the next two Drafts can be swapped.

Draft Classes can now be customised, though you can still auto-generate them. On top of scheduling team practices to develop your roster, you can have individual players take part in drills to improve their ratings. The Academy in NBA Live 10 provides a similar function, but only once a month, and some of the drills don’t impact ratings as they’re supposed to. NBA 2K10’s Association also allows you to scrimmage whenever you like, rather than during a monthly training session. Head coaches can be hired and fired, and they also eventually retire. There’s a wealth of stats and information screens to keep up with the league, and simulated results are pleasingly realistic all around.

In short, while NBA Live’s more streamlined franchise experience could still be fun, NBA 2K’s mode continued to strive for more depth and authenticity. Had I been able to get into the gameplay all those years ago, I expect that I’d have had at least a few memorable Association games! Dynasty mode in NBA Live 10 is still a commendable effort, thanks in large part to the overhaul that was made in NBA Live 08. It’s missing the level of detail that can be found in The Association in NBA 2K10, though. Many of the basics were covered, but NBA 2K was just doing a much better job of catering to hardcore hoop heads who wanted an in-depth representation of being an NBA GM.

NBA 2K10 also features the debut of My Player, the series’ original take on a career mode. Gamers were able to get a taste of the new mode prior to launch, via the Draft Combine DLC. This paid add-on – available for $4.99 USD on PS3 or 400 Microsoft Points on 360 – allowed you to complete drills to improve your Draft stock. Indeed, it’s the only way to get drafted in NBA 2K10’s My Player. If you don’t have the add-on, you’ll instead be signed as an undrafted rookie by a random team. That’s the only path on PC, since it didn’t get the DLC. Drafted or undrafted however, you’ll play in the Summer Circuit: the game’s legally-friendly name for the NBA Summer League.

The Summer Circuit consists of six games, providing you with an opportunity to start levelling up your player before your rookie season. Each game has a set of objectives that will earn additional Skill Points to spend on upgrades, and help you to impress your team. The Summer Circuit is followed by Training Camp, which is basically your last chance to earn a spot in the rotation and avoid beginning your career in the D-League. It’s easier said than done given that you begin with an Overall Rating of 39! Even with the advice and support of the 2K Insider, you’re probably going to have to toil away for a few games in the D-League before finally making it to the big time.

It’s not a terrible approach, and considering your starting attributes, it’s considerably more realistic than being touted as a can’t-miss prospect like newer games do! Starting in the D-League can also result in more playing time much earlier, and against easier competition. The downside is that that makes the road to the NBA much longer. Six games of the Summer Circuit is probably three too many. Playing in the D-League alongside fictional players can lose its novelty quickly, and low ratings all around can make for some ugly basketball. I’d say that future games made the correct choice in getting us to the NBA sooner, even if it results in being rather underpowered at first.

Unsurprisingly, most of the bells and whistles from later iterations of My Player and subsequently MyCAREER are nowhere to be found, and teammate AI isn’t anywhere near as good. CPU teammates are much stingier when you call for passes, to the point where even if you’re wide open under the rim, they’ll refuse to get you the ball and instead just keep dribbling in place. Throw in the fact that you start out as a dismal 39 Overall and that Skill Points accumulate rather slowly – in fact, a poor performance can even earn you negative Skill Points, with the primitive grading logic being little help there – and it can be a chore. It’s far from an ideal retro gaming experience now!

Still, the mode had to start somewhere. The basic concepts are present, and I know there are long-time gamers that do miss a lengthier path to the NBA that involves a sojourn in the D-League. Face customisation is fairly good, though there is a limited amount of hairstyles to choose from. On the plus side, this was long before we had to buy accessories and shoes with in-game currency. Creating a player and outfitting him with everything I wanted right away made me very nostalgic for a far less greedy era! While it doesn’t hold up nearly as well as The Association, My Player in NBA 2K10 was a respectable first attempt at a career mode, and a solid foundation to build upon.

NBA Today is another of NBA 2K10’s major additions. As in newer titles, it allowed gamers to play the daily schedule throughout the 2010 season, with real-world data powering dynamic commentary and presentation. Other modes include single Season, standalone Playoffs, and Rookie Challenge. There’s a Situation mode for setting up scenarios, and a practice mode where we can shoot around, work on our free throws, and more. NBA Blacktop returns, with pick-up games (1-on-1 to 5-on-5), 21, a dunk contest, and a three-point shootout. There are a couple of randomly-chosen locations for the pick-up games, but the dunk contest and shootout take place at Rucker Park.

Bobbito Garcia is the emcee of the dunk contest, but that’s where the excitement ends. I’ve previously opined that no basketball game has done the dunk contest better than NBA Live did from 2005-09, and NBA 2K10 hasn’t changed my mind about that. It’s the same clunky stick-based controls that render the array of dunks and props a moot point. The three-point shootout is solid, utilising a shot meter. Unlike the dunk contest though, for some reason the players wear generic black and white jerseys instead of their team uniforms. It’d also be nice to be able to choose which park you play at for pick-up games – including Rucker Park – but they’re all great environments to ball in.

I’m sure that other people enjoy NBA 2K10’s approach to the dunk contest more than I do, and if I can ever master those controls, I might come to like it a lot more as well. The simple fact that NBA 2K10 offers a dunk contest and three-point shootout when NBA Live 10 dropped the All-Star Weekend is another mark in its favour. There are some cool features in NBA Live 10, from The Hangar to Dynamic Season, but NBA 2K10 has more modes on offer, not to mention a far superior take on the franchise experience. Both games featured online play including leagues, though obviously they’re no longer available in the wake of their servers being shut down years ago.

Speaking of online support, NBA 2K10 was the first PC release to feature it after NBA 2K9 debuted devoid of connectivity. On top of providing online matchups and leagues, it also meant that the PC version actually received the official roster updates throughout the season. In fact, those updates were easier to preserve than the ones for console, and I’ve been able to add them to our Downloads database for safekeeping. We’ve also been able to preserve the official patches for the DVD-ROM release, since they must be downloaded manually. While we had to wait longer for the PC patch, it ended up being a more comprehensive update that arguably made it the best version.

When it comes to bonus content, as is the case with modes, NBA 2K10 easily clears NBA Live 10. The mere inclusion of Legends – content that was missing from NBA Live for the entire seventh generation – makes its selection of extras more exciting. There are some notable absences, including the usual names such as Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and Reggie Miller, though of course MJ was coming in NBA 2K11. The All-Decade teams still represent their eras well though, with a 50s/60s squad and both East and West teams for the 70s, 80s, and 90s. There are also Draft Class teams, Team Jordan (without His Airness), the International All-Stars, and developer squads.

Nevertheless, in terms of critical and gamer reception, NBA 2K10 and NBA Live 10 was the closest battle since NBA Live’s rough start to the seventh generation. This led to the rivalry reaching a boiling point, and some pettiness on both sides. 2K reps had been taking pot shots at NBA Live for years, as there was bad blood between the two companies going back to their failed collaboration on a cancelled PlayStation version of Madden in 1995. In a forum post that was promptly deleted, Ronnie 2K scoffed at the idea that EA had been able to take community feedback into account with the first patch for NBA Live 10. True or not, it was still a case of “mind your own business”.

Of course, expecting professionalism and class from Ronnie 2K is a lot like expecting James Harden to show up in the Playoffs! Mind you, EA Sports weren’t looking to take the high road, either. Their community reps reached out to many of us, trying to coach us on a response that hit back at Ronnie and other people from 2K who were throwing fuel on the fire. While I understood their position and agreed that Ronnie’s remarks were petty, like other creators at the time, I wasn’t keen on being used as a mouthpiece for EA; especially since I’d been promised interviews that they didn’t deliver on after encouraging me to announce them, leaving me with egg on my face.

I was admittedly still more sympathetic towards the NBA Live developers despite that; partly out of brand loyalty, but also because 2K ultimately started it, and they were definitely punching down at that point. And so, even though both companies delivered very enjoyable games for the 2010 season, the bickering was a new low. It was the most brazenly arrogant that 2K had been up until then, and in hindsight, it foreshadowed how they’d go on to squander the goodwill they’d accumulated through releasing several fantastic games. To that point of course, they were undeniably in a position to boast and talk trash at the time, even if it wasn’t the classiest decision.

On a more positive note, the modding scene began to take off with NBA 2K10. The community had made some inroads into tinkering with NBA 2K9 PC, and with that experience and knowledge – and some better tools – NBA 2K10 saw many more mods being released. Not only were there some exceptional cyberfaces and other texture and model updates, but we started seeing in-depth roster projects. The 1992 and 1997 season roster mods for NBA 2K10 are both exceptional. Not only do they feature comprehensive art updates to roll the game back to those seasons, but the attention to detail and accuracy in all the players’ ratings puts NBA 2K26’s Eras rosters to shame!

While I’m on the subject of roster accuracy, NBA 2K10 admittedly demonstrates that the lack of care with Legends ratings goes back generations. Even with fewer Legends to maintain, so many ratings were lazy copy and paste jobs, with shooting attributes in particular being embarrassingly generic and inflated. It was one of the reasons why I decided to create a roster that not only added some missing Legends, but also fixed up the ratings for the original ones. Also, despite claims that the mysterious 2K Insider “and his team of NBA analysts” were expertly keeping NBA 2K10 updated, several of the current players in the official rosters also had some highly questionable ratings.

Getting to some odds and ends, NBA 2K10 features what may be my least favourite menus in the entire series. Instead of traditional fly-out menus, NBA 2K10’s interface displays a selection of tiles. To make a selection, you can’t just press a direction to navigate over to a tile; you need to keep the left stick or D-Pad pointing towards the one you want. Also, on PC, if your mouse happens to hover over one of the tiles, the selection will keep jumping back to it. It’s manageable, but I’ve always found it to be clumsy. Unfortunately the PC version of NBA 2K11 retained the same interface, but thankfully NBA 2K12 PC copied the console versions’ return to the fly-out menus.

The selection of customisation features is excellent. Both players and custom teams can be created, and while our choice of facial features and team branding are both a bit limited, those functions are useful for modding. About the only thing missing from player creation is draft info and date of birth, but on PC we can mod those in using REDitor II. We’re also able to modify player rotations, including minutes and teams’ situational lineups. As noted, the debut of Draft Class editing greatly enhanced The Association. There are plenty of retro and alternate uniforms to keep things fresh, though home and away designations are strictly enforced, which can be annoying.

Finally, I have to touch on the soundtrack. I get the feeling it’s a “love it or hate it” selection of songs, as admittedly not all of the tracks scream basketball or have “pump you up to play” energy. I personally enjoy how unique it is. Sure, “Electric Feel” by MGMT and “Falcon Jab” by Ratatat aren’t necessarily ideal songs for a basketball video game, but they kind of work for me. It’s an eclectic mix of head-nodding tracks, and songs that create more of a chill vibe. Once again, I’m not about to declare it the quintessential basketball video game soundtrack, but I’ve come to like many of the songs, and I appreciate the overall weirdness of some of the choices that they made.

As I said, NBA 2K10 is somewhat overshadowed. Like NBA Live 99, it’s a great game that unfortunately came right before a landmark release that’s often considered to be the pinnacle of its series. It exemplifies how aside from NBA 2K8, NBA 2K was going from strength to strength back then. Sadly that success inspired pettiness, and it did turn me off the game in 2009. I can’t hold that against NBA 2K10 now, though. It beats NBA Live 10 in terms of modes and features, and has some advantages on the court as well. I still love NBA Live 10, but NBA 2K10 has become a favourite, too. It’s the last time that the competition was close, and a high point for sim basketball.

The post Wayback Wednesday: NBA 2K10 Retrospective appeared first on NLSC.

Although we’ve been playing basketball video games for decades now, the hobby is still capable of surprising us. To that end, what are some of the biggest surprises – both positive and negative – in basketball gaming in 2026? This week we’re sharing and discussing what amazes and astonishes us when it comes to the virtual hardwood, from the quality of the games and modern design philosophies, to the lack of competition and changes in community attitudes. That includes touching on the shift in modding culture, and the general discourse when it comes to basketball gaming issues. Our listeners also weigh in with what surprises them the most – for better or worse – with basketball video games today.

To get involved with the mailbag or to provide any feedback on the show, hit us up in the comments, reach out on social media, or post here in the NLSC Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. You can also find the show on our YouTube channel, along with the rest of our video content. As always, thanks for tuning in, and go get buckets!

The post NLSC Podcast #632: What Surprises Us About Basketball Gaming in 2026 appeared first on NLSC.

After wrapping up my sixth season in NBA 2K14 MyCAREER and playing the first couple of games in Year 7, I decided to take a break. It’s not that I wasn’t enjoying the journey anymore, but I felt it was time for a change. And so, I put that game on ice, with the intention of picking it up whenever I felt like it. Since then however, other basketball gaming activities have held my attention. It wasn’t until Dee and I were discussing our virtual hardwood habits so far in 2026 on the NLSC Podcast a couple of weeks ago that I thought about just how long it’s been since I fired up that save file.

To that point, my NBA 2K14 MyCAREER has been on the bench since September 2025. In other words, almost eight months now! I was surprised when I checked the date, though it speaks to how quickly the days, months, and indeed years fly by. I certainly don’t regret taking a break as I’m enjoying what I’ve been playing all year, but I have been thinking about bringing my NBA 2K14 MyCAREER back into the rotation. I’ll be alternating between it and other games more frequently than before, as it’s already been a long and satisfying journey, and I don’t want to shelve the titles I’ve been enjoying. Still, Year 7 features an intriguing scenario that’s drawing me back.

Entering Year 7 in NBA 2K14 MyCAREER, I’ve won six consecutive championships with the Philadelphia 76ers. I’ve found a fictional teammate in Terry Hanson that I really enjoy, have put up some ridiculous numbers – as we all end up doing with our MyPLAYERs – and secured enshrinement in the Hall of Fame when I hang it up. In short, it’s already been a rather full and exciting career. Nevertheless, I still feel that there are more adventures to be had with the mode. Every season so far has had its own story, making it feel special. Sure, the ending has ultimately been the same, but injuries and player movement have given every year different twists and subplots.

Right out of the gate, Year 7 has set itself up to be a very different campaign. After keeping the same core rotation together for the past three or four seasons, team brass have really shaken things up in an effort to keep winning titles. Carmelo Anthony – who signed with us in 2014 – finally moved on after surprisingly returning on a one-year deal last season, having seemingly had one foot out the door throughout 2018. He’s been replaced by Tyreke Evans. We also signed DeMar DeRozan, which pushed Michael Carter-Williams to the bench and moved me back to point guard. Nerlens Noel is also gone – a little later than in real life – with J.J. Hickson taking his place.

There are still nine players left from our 2019 championship team: my MyPLAYER, Hanson, MCW, Thaddeus Young, Tony Wroten, Allen Wall, Trevor Booker, Darrel Stewart, and Arnett Moultrie. Still, with two starters departing and three new players in the starting five for Year 7, it definitely feels like a different team. On one hand, I’m pleased to see it. The lack of significant player movement has been one of my biggest pet peeves with NBA 2K14 MyCAREER, as it’s made the league feel a bit stagnant. It also makes sense that the team is reloading for a shot at a seventh title, and that with a new coach – Tom Thibodeau – we’ll see some lineup adjustments.

On the other hand, I still have some frustrations with the rotation. It’s great that the situation with Carter-Williams has been somewhat resolved by his move back to the bench, but he’s still getting too many minutes as the sixth man. With me as the star and starting point guard playing 41 minutes, he shouldn’t be the first man off the bench. MCW’s role and the acquisition of Tyreke Evans unfortunately also mean that Terry Hanson remains a reserve with far too little playing time. I was hoping that when Melo finally moved on, it’d clear the way for Top Floor Terry to be a starter once more. Instead, he’s been passed over in favour of signing a major free agent.

Of course, that’s actually a fairly realistic turn of events given the ongoing narrative. Hanson hasn’t developed too much in the last couple of years, and he’s suffered a couple of major injuries. It makes sense that the team would see him as a valuable member of the roster, but not trust him to play a larger role. Snagging a couple of “name” free agents like DeRozan and Evans is also too big of an opportunity to pass up. To that end, while I’m disappointed that I’m probably not going to be on the court alongside Top Floor Terry as much I’d like, I can appreciate that there’s logic to the scenario. I’m also glad that the team has some fresh faces after three or four seasons.

I can see it making for an interesting ride. The story of Year 7 is basically going to be getting used to the new-look 76ers as we vie for our seventh-consecutive title. The goal of going undefeated in the regular season actually went up in smoke in the third game of the year, when the Milwaukee Bucks with their star backcourt duo of Tracy Brock and Pat Clemons took advantage of a lackadaisical effort to embarrass us at home. It certainly takes the pressure off, and avoids the heartbreak of “so close, but yet so far” that came in Year 6 when the Memphis Grizzlies snapped our 65-game winning streak. At the same time, it’s a bummer to lose that opportunity so early on.

As I said, even if some beats are the same – domination during the regular season, big stats, another title in June – every year in NBA 2K14 MyCAREER has felt different in some way. The prospect of having to learn how to play with DeRozan and Evans most effectively and continue to create highlights while orchestrating the offense offers a fresh challenge. DeRozan also suffered a major knee injury a couple of years ago, so it remains to be seen whether he can stay healthy. If not, we might be calling upon Hanson more than anticipated, which I would enjoy! The same goes for Evans. If he goes down unexpectedly, then Top Floor Terry will presumably be the next man up.

Then again, maybe Thibs will run a small ball lineup as Johnny Davis did, bringing MCW back into the starting lineup. Hanson would probably become the sixth man in that scenario, though it’s still not ideal. As it stands, we’ve lost some depth and talent up front and in the middle, so an injury to Thaddeus Young or J.J. Hickson would really leave us short-handed. Speaking of Young, it’s cool to still have him on the team, since he was one of my MyPLAYER’s mentors and biggest supporters in the story cutscenes during Year 1. With all the titles we’ve won with him as the starting power forward, it only feels right that he’s seemingly poised to be a Sixer for life.

There’s also the matter of my numbers. Through the three games that I’ve already played in Year 7 of my NBA 2K14 MyCAREER, I haven’t been as aggressive on offense, instead deferring to newcomers DeRozan and Evans. If that works out for us and proves to be fun, I may not lead the league in scoring this year. If it doesn’t, or if one or both of them end up missing significant time, it might turn into a “Wilt in ’62” or “MJ in ’87” situation, as it did during a short-handed stretch in 2018. Last season was the first since my rookie year that I didn’t average a triple-double, though old habits did mean that I ended up still being very close to doing so; just 0.3 rpg short.

I’ll undoubtedly have plenty of subplots and challenges to keep Year 7 of my NBA 2K14 MyCAREER fresh and interesting as I play every game on 12-minute quarters. On top of that, it’s the season where I’ll finally reach the current decade. The 2010s certainly went down very differently to reality thanks to my intervention, and if I have my way, the parity we’ve seen in the 2020s probably won’t happen either! Instead, it’ll be fun to see when certain players retire, particularly LeBron James. Kobe Bryant – who LeBron actually teamed up with in this alternate reality – stuck around for two additional seasons, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see other stars enjoy longer careers.

In a similar vein, I’ve started wondering whether I’ll reach a point where the lack of real players will start detracting from my enjoyment. So far it’s been fun to see the generated rookies become stars and key contributors, and obviously Terry Hanson has become a special part of the journey for me. However, I could also see it being more difficult to remain engaged with the matchups on the floor when fewer and fewer of them involve real players; especially if some of the noteworthy names that are still around in 2026 call it a day much earlier in my game. I think that a league full of fictional players could be fun, but I’ll still miss the real players once they’re gone.

My fondest hope for Year 7 in NBA 2K14 MyCAREER is that I can finally face a top team in the NBA Finals. Strangely, every year so far, the West has seen an underdog Conference Champion. Top contenders have often been upset in the first round, but even if they make it through, it seems they’re destined to fall to a dark horse team. As Dee noted when I mentioned this on the NLSC Podcast, the consistency of the results suggests that it’s by design, which is an undeniably weird choice! I’m also hoping to avoid yet another Playoff clash with Jackson Ellis and the Pistons. While I do enjoy Ellis as a subplot, the cutscenes are repetitive, not to mention stuck in the first season.

With that being said, I’m looking forward to picking up my NBA 2K14 MyCAREER again and playing through Year 7. It’s been a refreshing break, and while I’ll continue to play other games and modes, it feels like it’s time to continue the journey. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to catch up to the present day without simulating – which I don’t really want to do – and part of me wants to get to the Hall of Fame induction before some extremely unlucky tragedy befalls the save file. For now though, I’m just going to enjoy the ride as I play into a new decade. It’ll be fun to be able to say that I’m playing through the 2020s in NBA 2K14 MyCAREER, in the 2020s themselves!

The post Monday Tip-Off: Continuing Year 7 in NBA 2K14 MyCAREER appeared first on NLSC.

SodaBig
NBA 2K11 Wii Prime Roster (Updated to v2.8.4)

Thanks to everyone who continues to contribute to our Downloads database! If you need help uploading files, be sure to check out this video tutorial. For more information about downloads, the modding community, and Mod Releases bulletins, please see this FAQ in our Wiki.

The post NBA 2K11 Mod Releases: Prime Roster 2.8.4 appeared first on NLSC.

There’s definitely a street and arcade motif to this week’s NLSC Top 10 Plays! Not only are there a couple of highlights from the recent closed beta for NBA The Run, but NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, NBA Jam 2004, NBA Hangtime, and NBA Street. Vol. 2 are also in the countdown. The sim games are also taking it to the streets, as you’ll find Blacktop highlights from NBA 2K14 and NBA 2K26. On top of that, there’s a great lob from a game between the Spurs and Thunder in NBA 2K26, and a vicious poster in College Hoops 2K8. Let’s get to the action!

What was your favourite highlight this week? Sound off in the comments below, and once again, get in on the fun by sending us your best plays! Remember, as long as it’s a basketball game, it’s eligible for the countdown. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to us on YouTube for more basketball gaming videos.

The post NLSC Top 10 Plays of the Week: May 23rd, 2026 appeared first on NLSC.

Gaming is meant to be fun. That may sound like I’m stating the extremely obvious, but there are times when people seemingly forget that; or perhaps more accurately, refuse to recognise that there are different ways of enjoying gaming, and that they’re all equally valid ways of having fun. To that end, it would be hypocritical of me to say that anyone who enjoys a tedious grind or wants every game to be a brutal test of your stick skills isn’t entitled to their preference. However, it tends to be those gamers who attempt to shame others for not sharing their idea of what makes gaming fun.

Indeed, I sometimes wonder if we’ve come to take gaming too seriously. That is to say, if you’re not playing competitively, levelling and ranking up, or progressing to some kind of goal, it’s considered a waste of time. Now, I certainly enjoy having goals with my basketball gaming – it’s why I aim to play entire seasons – and I’ve also had fun dipping my toe into the competitive scene. With that being said, I also enjoy just messing around and finding other ways to enjoy basketball video games. While that may not seem odd on the surface, I acknowledge that some of my basketball gaming activities are a bit weird! Without any further ado, here are five examples of that.

1. Creating Classic Teams Through Minimalist Modding

At this point, we have over a decade’s worth of NBA 2K titles that include a bevy of classic teams in their default rosters. We also have mods that expand the selection of throwback squads, or add full retro season rosters, for both NBA 2K and NBA Live. These are all fantastic ways of indulging nostalgia on the virtual hardwood, and I’ll absolutely take advantage of them. At the same time, I’m drawn to the practice of cobbling together classic teams using minimalist modding. It started when Dee and I began creating historical matchups in NBA Live 10 using the Fantasy Teams mode, and it’s continued during my retro kicks with NBA 2K6 and other new favourites.

I’m sure that seems incredibly weird when so many games provide retro content out of the gate! Furthermore, with all the mods and modding tools in our archives, you might expect that I’d look to create something more substantial, even if it’s just for my own use. There’s something so satisfying about minimalist modding, though. I enjoy the challenge of creating classic teams and historical scenarios with only the players and assets on hand, and sometimes creating a few extra players as best I can with the in-game functionality. It scratches the itch to mod, satisfies my craving for whatever era I’m feeling nostalgic for, and allows me to enjoy games I’m hooked on in a new way.

2. Playing Old Basketball Game Demos

To some people, retro gaming in general is a weird way to have fun. Others certainly get the appeal, even if they don’t enjoy it themselves. Going back and playing old demos, though? When my collection includes the full version that I could be playing instead? Yes, I can’t deny that that’s weird! Nevertheless, I find it fun to do from time to time. After all, there’s nostalgia in those demos as well. I remember downloading them off the internet or installing them from CD-ROMs, and getting that tantalising taste of the full game. Because basketball video game demos are very brief – often only allowing you to play a quarter or a half – they’re good for a quick, fun session.

It’s also interesting to see how some games changed between the demo and the retail version, for better or worse. The promotional shots advertising the features we’ll find in the full version take me back to the preview seasons of highly anticipated classics. Although demos aren’t totally obsolete, they’re rarer now, particularly when it comes to Triple-A titles. As someone who grew up in the heyday of demos and shareware, I have fond memories of replaying small portions of games over and over again, and making the most of those brief glimpses of a much bigger experience. Weird as it may seem, dusting off those demos is a fun throwback to gaming as a kid and young adult.

3. Revisiting Games You Know Are Terrible

Last month, I discussed five reasons to revisit bad games. Even though I do stand by those reasons, I will admit that choosing to dust off a title that you know is terrible is a weird basketball gaming activity! It sounds like an even more bizarre idea when you eliminate understandable reasons such as content creation, and giving second chances to games that are generally well-liked, but you just didn’t click with when you played them for the first time. I’m talking about revisiting the games that are widely regarded by basketball gamers – including me – as being among the absolute worst hoops titles ever developed. In short, games that you would never play for your own enjoyment.

Although it’s harder to enjoy bad video games ironically because you have to directly interact with what makes them terrible – i.e. a broken and frustrating gameplay loop – it is possible. Occasionally, I’ll feel like challenging myself to try and make a terrible basketball game work; to create actual highlights and fun moments in a title that’s so devoid of polish it really shouldn’t have been released! Needless to say, I mostly play games that I actually like, but sometimes morbid curiosity leads me back to a game like NBA Live 07 or ESPN NBA 2Night. Those sessions are mostly only good for a laugh, but very, very rarely, there’ll be something that can pass for a spectacular play!

4. Viewing All The Cyberfaces

This one may not actually be all that weird, as I know I’m not the only one that does it. I know that Dee does it as well, and in fact, we partook of this basketball gaming activity together over Parsec following a session with NBA Live 10. That activity is going through a game’s entire roster to view every player’s cyberface, and evaluating their quality. Obviously it’s something one might do whenever a new game comes out, in order to see which players have new cyberfaces, and which ones still desperately need an update. However, I’m referring more to firing up much older games like NBA Live 2000 or NBA Live 10, and seeing how well some of their cyberfaces hold up.

As I’m sure you can attest if you’ve ever done this with some old favourites, a few of them were really ahead of their time with their face textures! I mentioned NBA Live 2000 and NBA Live 10 as they’re a couple of prime examples. Not only were they a huge improvement over their predecessors, but they also put some of their modern successors to shame! Of course, video games are meant to be played rather than just looked at, which is where the weirdness lies in this activity. However, when you grew up with games where players shared an assortment of generic head models with just a few pixels for all their facial features, it’s fun to marvel at some fantastic cyberfaces.

5. Customising Rosters Just For The Screenshots

We’ve reached what may be the weirdest basketball gaming activity that I enjoy dabbling with: customising the rosters to place players on different teams, and any Legends back in uniform, just to set up scenarios for screenshots. Iconic Playoff games and other legendary showdowns, famous stints, weird stints, phantom stints…if I can portray it with the players and team branding at my disposal, I’m setting it up and capturing shots that mimic historical photos! What really makes this a weird basketball gaming activity is that unlike makeshift classic teams, there aren’t enough players to make it a playable scenario. It’s purely virtual hardwood photography!

Granted, I usually find a way to use those screenshots for content, be it an article or a social media post. They don’t all just go into the archives never to be seen again, thus becoming a waste of time. Mind you, even if I don’t find an immediate use for every screenshot of a historical scenario that I set up in a game, I don’t feel that it was time wasted. I’m passionate about NBA history, and I enjoy exploring it in various ways through video games. From doing the research to customising the rosters, and then finally getting the shots that I want – which is sometimes easier said than done – this weird activity is fun to mess around with in between my regular basketball gaming.

What are some of the weird but fun activities that you enjoy making a part of your basketball gaming? Are any of these among them? Have your say in the comments, and as always, feel free to take the discussion to the NLSC Forum! That’s all for this week, so thanks for checking in, have a great weekend, and please join me again next Friday for another Five.

The post The Friday Five: 5 Weird But Fun Basketball Gaming Activities appeared first on NLSC.

SexCurryBeats
NBA Jerseys for Blacktop (Current Players Only)
NBA Jerseys for Blacktop (All-Time/Eras/Current)
Proof of Concept Floating Court
Coldsnap for Blacktop
2KVenueLab (Updated to V1.3)

IceCr
Joe Dumars Face
Xavier McDaniel Face

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The post NBA 2K26 Mod Releases: Faces, Jerseys & More appeared first on NLSC.

With a spiritual successor in NBA The Run set to launch next month, NBA Street has definitely been on our minds as of late. As it happens, next month also marks 25 years since the original NBA Street was released. For basketball gamers of a certain age, that first NBA Street was the arcade basketball video game, held in higher regard than any of the NBA Jam titles. It certainly makes sense as it was a tremendous game that still holds up. Furthermore, by the early 2000s, the NBA Jam name had sadly come to be associated with some subpar releases.

I’ll be diving deeper into that with a retrospective next month. For now though, I’m reminiscing about Stretch and the other OG NBA Street ballers. In addition to placing NBA players on the blacktop, NBA Street introduced us to some memorable original characters. These ballers were basically the bosses of the City Circuit, standing in between us and the next location. Once we beat them, we could benefit from their streetball skill as they joined our squad. Stretch and the rest of the OG NBA Street ballers are undoubtedly legends, so let’s take a look back…way back…

While it’s ultimately the excellent streetball gameplay that made NBA Street a hit, I’d argue that the inclusion of Stretch and the other fictional ballers heavily contributed to its success. Sure, the game still would’ve been great if it only included NBA players, but the original characters represented an important aspect of streetball culture: those local park legends that weren’t destined for the NBA for whatever reason, but can flat out ball. Their unique designs and abilities, not to mention their trash talk in both the pre-game introductions and during gameplay, made them fun to play with and against. They’re a vital part of the character, atmosphere, and overall vibe of NBA Street.

Clearly, the developers had fun crafting Stretch and the other OG NBA Street ballers. They all have detailed profiles in the instruction booklet; another example of how it used to be rewarding to read manuals back in the day! They went all out with those profiles, too. Not only is there a blurb describing their play styles and personality, but their heights, weights, ages, hometown, city of residence, nationality, occupation, hobbies, and even blood type are all listed! It’s no wonder that NBA The Run is continuing the tradition of fictional ballers, even after obtaining the NBA license. So, let’s meet those street legends, beginning with the first one we encounter: Biggs.

Biggs

Standing 6’9″ and weighing in at 255 pounds, Lewis “Biggs” Barker certainly lives up to his name! A bruising banger of a big man who unsurprisingly works as a doorman and enjoys boxing, we meet 27-year-old Biggs after beating the Vancouver Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors. He’s found at Beacon Hill, balling on a snowy blacktop. He’s a menace in the lane, and unlocking him so early in the campaign is great for shoring up your inside defense at one end, while jamming over opponents at the other. Biggs is originally from London, so if you didn’t read the manual, it might catch you off guard when he starts taunting you in a Cockney accent (or a close enough approximation).

Bonafide

Described as an “arrogant playmaker”, Bonafide may not be the biggest player on the court, but he’s definitely one of the most confident, and skilled. Born in The Bronx and currently residing in Philadelphia, Bonafide – real name Carlito Vargas – is super quick at 5’10” and 160 pounds. He also has exceptional dribbling and passing skills, and a deadly outside jumper. This makes him the perfect player to use if you want to drop defenders with ankle-breaking combos, taking full advantage of the dribbling controls in NBA Street. Bonafide is also a more than capable defender, solidifying him as a streetball legend at the tender age of 18. A bona fide baller, if you will!

Drake

Not to be confused with the rapper – though like Bonafide, he’s an aspiring DJ – Drake Evans’ greatest strength is his jumpshot. The 19-year-old Michigan native isn’t exactly humble about it, as he’s described as being “as cocky as they come”. We find this out firsthand when we face him, as he’ll gleefully talk trash whenever he knocks down a shot. NBA Street is a game that encourages us to dunk whenever possible, thanks to a dazzling array of jams and the satisfaction of throwing alley-oops. With that in mind, at 6’2″ and 185 pounds, Drake isn’t an ideal choice if you prefer to score inside. Still, there’s value in getting that extra point from beyond the arc, so he’s useful to have.

DJ

Originally from Jamaica, Donovan “DJ” Jones is an all-around talent. He can shoot and handle the rock, but he really excels at soaring above the rim and posterising his opponents. Despite these skills and a 6’7″, 212-pound frame, DJ is driving a taxi in his new home of Venice, California, rather than lanes in the NBA. Sometimes, streetball success doesn’t translate to the pros! Nevertheless, at the age of 24, DJ has become a legend balling down by the beach. If Michael Jordan isn’t available – such as in the final showdown at Rucker Park – DJ is a fun replacement. Also, unlike another DJ in a basketball video game, as far as we know he doesn’t have an annoying roommate!

Takashi

At 7’8″ and 270 pounds, 21-year-old student Takashi Sato is a giant on the blacktop. His pre-game taunts – wagging his finger Dikembe Mutombo-style, or asking how you’re going to shoot over his outstretched arm – say it all. Takashi is a threat to send back any shots that come his way, and since goaltending is allowed, not even three-pointers are safe! It’s long been suggested that Takashi was inspired at least in part by Yao Ming, being a towering player from East Asia. Obviously Yao is Chinese and Takashi is Japanese, but Yao was gaining international renown as NBA Street was in development, so it’s quite possible Takashi was intended as a legally-distinct stand-in.

Stretch

That brings us to the face of NBA Street, Clifford “Stretch” Monroe. Though his big afro, Chuck Taylors, and home court of Rucker Park are inspired by Julius Erving, he’s also a nod to the streetball legends that never went pro. Indeed, his bio describes him as “one of the best players never to have played in the NBA”. Now 46 and a teacher, Stretch also represents the old guy at the park who can still take younger ballers to school. Being 6’11” and 247 pounds with a fondness for distance running certainly helps, but Stretch’s skills and old-school finesse have been honed over decades on the blacktop. MJ aside, Stretch is the legend in the NBA Street series.

The Legacy of Stretch & The OG NBA Street Ballers

Stretch and the other fictional ballers made the City Circuit in the original NBA Street special. Once again, the game would’ve still been a blast if it only included real NBA players, and in the PlayStation 2 version, you’ve still got Michael Jordan as the final boss. Those fictional players really embodied the streetball spirit, though. They paid tribute to the ballers who never made it to the NBA for one reason or another, but still became local legends whose stories eventually spread to hoops fans everywhere. In lieu of licensing the likenesses of Earl Manigault, Jackie Jackson, and other streetball legends, Stretch and the rest of the NBA Street ballers brought character to the game.

Two of the NBA Street legends – Stretch and Bonafide – returned in NBA Street Vol. 2, where they were joined by new characters including Osmosis, Dime, and Biggie Little. Stretch also now sported a Julius Erving throwback jersey, and hosted the Street School tutorial mode. Interestingly, while Bonafide was known as a playmaker in the first game, he’s an excellent dunker in the sequel. Stretch and Bonafide also returned in NBA Street V3, along with Takashi, who had now taken up residence at Venice Beach. All three were available along with Drake in the Street Legends DLC that was exclusively available for the Xbox 360 version of NBA Street Homecourt.

Fittingly as the face of the franchise, Stretch not only appeared in all of the main NBA Street games, but is also one of the players on the unlockable NBA Street squad in NBA Jam: On Fire Edition. Stretch also appeared in NBA Live 19 as part of an NBA Street-themed LIVE Event, and was a collectable player for your squad in The Streets World Tour. If EA Sports were ever to bring back NBA Street – and I think it’s clear the audience is there – Stretch and the other street legends simply have to be a part of it. I’m not holding my breath there, but in any case, Stretch and the OG NBA Street ballers aren’t just legends in-universe, but in the hearts of basketball gamers, too.

The post Wayback Wednesday: Stretch & The OG NBA Street Ballers appeared first on NLSC.

The second closed beta for NBA The Run took place last weekend, and we both had a chance to participate! To that end, this week we’re providing more detailed hands-on impressions of the upcoming arcade streetball game from Play By Play Studios, as well as discussing whether or not it’s worth the newly-announced price tag. We also clear up some misconceptions about the game in regards to solo play, and react to some of the toxic positivity that’s sadly stifling constructive feedback. Our fellow basketball gamers also have some strong thoughts on NBA The Run coming out of the second closed beta, which they shared in response to this week’s community question.

To get involved with the mailbag or to provide any feedback on the show, hit us up in the comments, reach out on social media, or post here in the NLSC Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. You can also find the show on our YouTube channel, along with the rest of our video content. As always, thanks for tuning in, and go get buckets!

The post NLSC Podcast #631: Will NBA The Run Be Worth The Price? appeared first on NLSC.

Way back in 2016, I posted a Friday Five listing five classic teams that I’d like to see included in future NBA 2K games. I revisited the topic with a second article in 2018, and it ultimately became an ongoing Friday Five series. Some of those squads have since been added to the games. No, I’m not trying to take credit for that! Many of those additions were very popular and obvious choices, so I highly doubt that I had any influence here. Nevertheless, I’ve enjoyed seeing the selection of classic teams expand, and there’s never any harm in throwing out suggestions.

However, the most recent instalment in that series – Part 13 – was back in 2022. There are a few reasons why I haven’t circled back to that topic for just over four years now. For a start, at this point I’ve already covered many of the teams that I’m interested in. Again, some are already included in the games, while others are unlikely to be added. As I’ve discussed before, this generation of NBA 2K games has left me cold, so I’m less enthusiastic about discussing ideas for future releases in general. On top of that though, the addition of MyNBA Eras makes it seem far less likely that we’ll see new standalone classic teams. Of course, it could be argued that that’s actually for the best.

Before I get into that, I should explain why I believe that the presence of MyNBA Eras makes the addition of any more classic teams unlikely. In a way, mere retro squads are an outdated concept when we have a franchise mode that allows us to re-play four decades of NBA history, experiencing all of the historical changes (albeit with varying degrees of accuracy and attention to detail). You could further argue that the inclusion of Eras rosters in Play Now has made adding new classic teams a moot point. Why bother adding the 2003 Washington Wizards with Michael Jordan to the selection of retro squads, when we can just play a game with the Kobe Era rosters?

Furthermore, if there are to be any innovations with the historical content, MyNBA Eras should undoubtedly be the priority. Obviously any new players that are licensed for MyNBA Eras should also be added to the classic teams as necessary, and I’d like to see more accuracy with the historical content in general. I’m not suggesting that the retro teams be completely ignored! However, given the choice between fleshing out the Eras rosters and improving the mode’s authenticity, or adding the 1995 Dallas Mavericks to the array of classic teams, I’m choosing the improvements to MyNBA. Besides, if more starting points are implemented, we could get those teams anyway!

I believe that’s the approach the developers are taking. Mind you, that’s not to say that MyNBA Eras is a top priority! The money-making modes such as MyCAREER and MyTEAM are naturally going to receive more attention, and in all fairness, they’re also more popular nowadays. Beyond that though, we haven’t seen any new classic teams added since NBA 2K21, let alone since the debut of MyNBA Eras in NBA 2K23. In fact, with the late Bill Russell no longer licensed to appear in the game, we’ve actually lost a team in the 1965 Boston Celtics. Of course, we’ve also seen the addition of the Steph Era, as well as more historical players as they’ve been licensed.

In other words, we are getting new historical content that’s readily available; we’re just not getting any new standalone teams. Once again, you could argue that the retro squads are now an antiquated concept, and while it’s worth keeping the ones that are already in the game, it makes far more sense to develop MyNBA Eras. After all, any relevant players that are licensed for the Eras rosters can be added to the classic teams as well, and MyNBA offers far more replay value. There’s also still a ton of untapped potential with MyNBA Eras, from the aforementioned suggestion of adding more starting points, to polishing up the rosters and accuracy of various branding changes.

As I said, given the choice between improving MyNBA Eras and adding some new classic teams – especially if they can’t license some of the key players – I’m picking the former. If the developers have indeed made that choice, I’d say it was the right call. Nevertheless, it’s unfortunate if we’re not going to see any further additions to the selection of classic teams, except when it’s a by-product of updates to MyNBA Eras. I still believe there’s value in having those standalone throwback squads in the game, so I’m glad that Visual Concepts has at least seen fit to retain them. There’s flexibility in those old classic teams that we don’t have with their counterparts in the Eras rosters.

The most obvious is that those retro squads can be used against any other team that’s available in regular Play Now games. In NBA 2K26, you can take the 1996 Chicago Bulls and square off against the 2026 Oklahoma City Thunder, or see how the 1986 Boston Celtics stack up against the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers. You can also insert those teams into a custom MyNBA, perhaps replacing their modern counterparts or creating a fantasy scenario with a league full of the best teams in history. Because they’re a part of the default rosters, players from the retro squads can also be traded to the current NBA teams, facilitating all of those fantasy lineups and season scenarios.

Conversely, all of the Eras rosters are self-contained. As such, while they can function similarly to traditional classic teams, we can’t stage an exhibition showdown between the 1992 and 2026 New York Knicks. Likewise, we’re unable to mix and match teams from the Kobe Era in with the Steph Era in a custom MyNBA. We can customise the Eras rosters for use in Play Now and MyNBA, but we can’t export any of the players completely intact to other Eras, or add them to the modern rosters. Moreover, every team in an Eras roster is obviously going to be from the same season, so they can’t offer the same variety as the array of classic teams that span the years in between.

Now, this is where someone may feel inclined to chirp up and point out how awesome MyNBA Eras and the classic teams are, that we can’t have absolutely everything that we want, and that we should be grateful for what we have. And so, I’ll pre-emptively match that energy by asking, aren’t you tired of the taste of boot polish by now? To be somewhat less combative, it’s certainly worth acknowledging that NBA 2K does have a huge amount of historical content to enjoy, and it’d be impossible to facilitate every potential use of it. It’s also possible that there’s some tricky licensing here, similar to Charles Barkley appearing on the Dream Team but not the 1985 Philadelphia 76ers.

That’s all well and good, but it’s perfectly fine to wish we had more flexibility with the Eras rosters. Assuming that the reason for keeping Eras rosters separate is technical rather than legal, it’d be awesome if we could export teams for use in a custom roster, or at least have a way of using teams from different Eras in exhibition play. I realise it’s easy for me to throw that idea out there when I’m not the one that has to program the solution, but I believe that gamers who enjoy the historical content would really appreciate it. It’s great to technically have additional classic teams courtesy of a multi-generational franchise mode, but the lack of variety and flexibility is a drawback.

And of course, it seems that the implementation of MyNBA Eras and natural focus on improving its content has put an end to expanding the selection of standalone classic teams. Yes, that’s understandable, but that doesn’t make it any less disappointing for anyone who’d like to see some new retro squads added. At the very least, there are some teams already in the game via MyNBA Eras that would be great to have as part of the classic component of the modern/default rosters. The players and branding from the various Eras could also be used to assemble other notable teams from the same time period, once again assuming there are no legal hurdles preventing that.

Granted, I don’t believe that MyNBA Eras is the only reason that NBA 2K is unlikely to add more standalone classic teams. Over the years, the additions have become far less exciting. While I do see the value and appeal, it feels weird to classify a recent champion as a “classic” team! They were undoubtedly easier to add, since a majority of the players were still active and thus automatically licensed to appear. To that point though, as players on those recent classic teams begin departing the NBA – either due to retiring or simply washing out of the league – those squads ironically end up having much thinner rosters with more noteworthy absences than the ones from decades ago!

Needless to say, it’s still challenging to license the necessary players for older classic teams as well. There are already a couple of long-tenured retro squads in NBA 2K that are missing at least one extremely prominent player, as well as a few others that had conspicuous holes in their lineup before they were ultimately dropped. I’d rather not see any half-baked classic teams added to NBA 2K, particularly when time and resources could be spent improving the historical content that’s already there. Also, many of the absolute must-have classic teams are already included. As cool as it’d be to see more unorthodox squads added, their niche appeal makes them a tough sell.

Also, let’s face it: as long-time basketball gamers like me age out of being the key demographic, our nostalgia is no longer a priority. Clearly there’s still content that appeals to us – and anyone with a fascination with and love for NBA history – but it’s not 2010 anymore. Younger games – i.e. NBA 2K’s core audience – aren’t feeling pangs of nostalgia for the 1993 New Jersey Nets, 1994 Golden State Warriors, 2002 Boston Celtics, 2002 Los Angeles Clippers, and other such squads from yesteryear. Even more recent and successful teams such as the 2009 Los Angeles Lakers are less appealing to younger gamers than live service content in MyTEAM and MyCAREER.

In short, MyNBA Eras alone didn’t put an end to adding new classic teams. It also comes down to cost and feasibility of striking agreements with former players, having a wide selection of popular retro squads already available, and the level of interest and demand from the core demographic. This is also assuming that we’re unlikely to see any more classic teams added, though the fact that we haven’t seen any new additions outside of the MyNBA Eras rosters does make it a fairly safe bet. Not to belabour the point, but considering the potential of MyNBA Eras and some of the polish that’s still sorely needed three years in, it’s the historical content that the devs should prioritise.

With that being said, if the developers are still willing to add new classic teams and the suits are willing to “CTC” to make it happen, I’m absolutely in favour of that! If nothing else, I’d like to see them take a few teams from MyNBA Eras and add them to the selection of classic teams in the default rosters, as well as use those licensed assets to add other iconic squads from around those various time periods; again, assuming there are no restrictions in licensing those players that would bar that. However, I do suspect that adding new classic teams is no longer on the agenda, in part because if any of the throwback content is going to be upgraded, it’s going to be MyNBA Eras.

That’s unfortunate given the potential to add some fun new retro squads, as well as the possibilities that placing them in the default rosters facilitates. It’s just the way it goes, though. NBA 2K has managed to maintain a fairly stable assortment of classic teams for a while now, and that content has ultimately paved the way for something bigger in MyNBA Eras. That’s fantastic, especially since the new concept didn’t result in the complete removal of the older content, as is sometimes the case. Still, it’s a wistful thought that we likely won’t see any new classic teams. Focusing on MyNBA Eras is sensible, but there was still more that could be done with the standalone retro squads.

The post Monday Tip-Off: MyNBA Eras & Classic Teams appeared first on NLSC.

SexCurryBeats
No Drone in Blacktop
Pack of 433 Basketballs
2KVenueLab (Updated to v1.1)

Thanks to everyone who continues to contribute to our Downloads database! If you need help uploading files, be sure to check out this video tutorial. For more information about downloads, the modding community, and Mod Releases bulletins, please see this FAQ in our Wiki.

The post NBA 2K26 Mod Releases: Basketballs & More appeared first on NLSC.

We’re tipping off Year 6 of the NLSC Top 10 Plays in style, as the community once again brought the goods in nine different basketball video games! Devastating poster dunks and other flashy jams, huge swats, a wild fling to beat the buzzer in NBA Hangtime, and another game-winning buzzer beater can be found in this week’s countdown. You’ll also see some mods being enjoyed, five-player online team play action in NBA Live 95 for Super Nintendo, and a couple of appearances by Dee Brown. Let’s get to the action!

What was your favourite highlight this week? Sound off in the comments below, and once again, get in on the fun by sending us your best plays! Remember, as long as it’s a basketball game, it’s eligible for the countdown. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to us on YouTube for more basketball gaming videos.

The post NLSC Top 10 Plays of the Week: May 16th, 2026 appeared first on NLSC.

NBA 2K13 is one of the games that I’d love to bring back into my rotation this year. Not only was it a fantastic release that was enjoyed by gamers who were already fans of NBA 2K, but it was the title that got me – a long-time NBA Live fanboy – into the series. The right stick controls provided familiarity, and enhanced the gameplay in an area that I’d argue was still a weakness for NBA 2K, even as it became the premiere NBA sim. It was well-balanced, a blast on the sticks, and offered deep modes that we could enthusiastically spend hundreds and indeed thousands of hours in.

Despite traditionally being a franchise gamer, MyCAREER was my mode of choice in NBA 2K13, rather than The Association. It turned out to be one of my all-time favourite basketball gaming experiences, so I’d say it was a good decision! Although I intend to spend some more time with the rest of what NBA 2K13 has to offer as I look to make it a part of my retro basketball gaming rotation, I definitely won’t rule out revisiting that MyCAREER save every now and again. With that in mind, I’d like to reflect on five things that I loved about my NBA 2K13 MyCAREER, all of which were undoubtedly key factors in me taking such a long detour from franchise gaming.

1. The Freshness of the Experience

I wouldn’t say that I was necessarily sick of franchise gaming when I took an interest in MyCAREER. I’d had a couple of failed attempts at Dynasty games in NBA Live 09 and NBA Live 10, but that was more about having some issues with the gameplay in those titles. Indeed, as much as I supported adding a career mode to basketball video games, I still saw myself as a franchise gamer. However, when I was playing NBA 2K12 in order to review it, I enjoyed messing around with My Player. I couldn’t fully get into NBA 2K12 because of its controls, but when I ended up taking a shine to NBA 2K13, I was inspired to play the mode that had previously piqued my interest.

The newly-renamed MyCAREER was naturally a different experience to the franchise modes that I’d been playing for years. I wasn’t able to make trades, tinker with my lineup, control multiple players, or do any of the other things I love about franchise gaming. However, stepping into the shoes of an NBA player and becoming a star was a fun new challenge! Again, I wasn’t bored of franchise modes, but MyCAREER in NBA 2K13 was offering a fresh approach to basketball gaming; something new to play and ultimately master. Sure, years later MyCAREER would become a rut that I’d get stuck in, but back in NBA 2K13 it was an intriguing novelty that had me hooked.

2. Feeling of Satisfaction While Improving

I’ve been highly critical of the rate of progression in MyCAREER over the years, for a couple of key reasons. One, the more times you have to start over in a new game, the more repetitive the process becomes. Two, the grind has become much worse in the name of generating recurrent revenue through VC sales to the point where going No Money Spent is now a painful slog. That wasn’t an issue when I was first getting into MyCAREER in NBA 2K13. That’s not to say that there shouldn’t have been a faster rate of progression or that the low starting ratings weren’t antithetical to the idea that you’re supposedly a top prospect, but the journey to stardom was more fun back then.

Of course, it wasn’t just about seeing my individual attributes and Overall Rating rise as I earned enough Skill Points to upgrade (as an aside, there was no VC in the PC version at the time). It was also satisfying to develop my stick skills in player-locked gameplay – something I didn’t do all that often as I frequently hit the virtual hardwood solo – particularly early on when my lower ratings gave me a smaller margin for error. As both my ratings and team chemistry increased, it felt rewarding being able to call for the ball more often, and make good things happen when the pass came. Improving little by little – both in my ratings and on the sticks – brought a sense of achievement.

3. Becoming a Point Guard

Because I modelled my MyPLAYER after myself – though I did add an extra inch to make him 6’4″ – I ended up with an avatar that wasn’t tall enough to play centre as I had in my local junior league. As such, I opted to make him a shooting guard, most likely due to my fandom of Michael Jordan and Ben Gordon. It worked out well at first, and I was promoted to the starting lineup in my 16th game, playing alongside Ty Lawson. A couple of games later however, Lawson suffered a knee injury that put him on the shelf for the rest of the season. Rather than starting Andre Miller in his place, virtual George Karl decided to give me the chance to run the team instead.

As it turned out, I greatly preferred playing point guard to shooting guard! For a start, I had the ball in my hands more often without needing to call for it. Mind you, it was still my goal to be unselfish with the ball, as I soon discovered that I really enjoyed setting up my teammates to score. As I became more proficient at dropping dimes and filling that column in the stat sheet, I began receiving the Dynamic Goal of breaking Fat Lever’s team record for assists in a single game. That certainly encouraged my love of assists, and I did break Lever’s record with a new mark of 24. Since then, I’ve almost exclusively created point guards for MyCAREER and its connected modes.

4. Emerging a Hero in the Playoffs

Compared to later games, my rookie numbers in NBA 2K13 MyCAREER weren’t out of this world. I averaged 10.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, and 10.4 apg in that first season; far from terrible, but much closer to pre-injury Gary Grant than Magic Johnson! Obviously my inexperience played a role here – more on that in a moment – but it also resulted in a certain amount of realism that wouldn’t be present in future MyCAREER games. In any case, I was just happy to have achieved a double-double average by the end of the season. My performance earned Rookie of the Year honours, but Andre Iguodala was still the star of the team, and in fact ended up being named the Most Valuable Player.

Needless to say, playing limited minutes off the bench at the beginning of the season impacted my averages on the year. Once we reached the Playoffs, I was starting over with a clean slate, allowing me to post some more impressive numbers right out of the gate. I saved my best for last though, averaging 27 ppg, 7.4 rpg, and 14.6 apg in the NBA Finals to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 4-1 series win over the Miami Heat. That also included a game-sealing three-pointer with 4.5 seconds left in Game 4, and then a triple-double as we clinched the championship in Game 5. It made for a great story, going from benchwarmer to promising rookie to the new star of a first-time champion.

5. Not Having Everything Figured Out Yet

At one point or another, I think all gamers have wished that they could forget their favourite titles so that they can experience them for the first time all over again. After all, there’s nothing quite like that first playthrough! Obviously there’s joy in revisiting old favourites as they welcome you back with the familiar, and using the knowledge and skills that you’ve developed through countless hours on the sticks to play them expertly. You can do that time and time again, and I love that! However, the novelty and thrill of encountering a game’s challenges for the first time, and figuring out the best strategies for success, is a one-time experience that’s uniquely fun and special.

To that point, I’ve been far more dominant in my NBA 2K14 MyCAREER compared to NBA 2K13, thanks to going back to the former with years of experience under my belt. That’s still been a blast of course, but muddling my way through MyCAREER in NBA 2K13, not yet knowing all of the best on-court strategies or the optimal way of levelling up a player, brought me a different kind of enjoyment and satisfaction. Yes, it’s also fun to go back and employ what I’ve learned since then, but the need to figure everything out truly made NBA 2K13 MyCAREER an exciting journey. It wasn’t my best MyCAREER game, but it was the most important, and a truly unique experience.

Basketball gamers, what are the things you loved most about your all-time favourite virtual hardwood experiences? Can you relate to these reflections on my NBA 2K13 MyCAREER? Have your say in the comments, and as always, feel free to take the discussion to the NLSC Forum! That’s all for this week, so thanks for checking in, have a great weekend, and please join me again next Friday for another Five.

The post The Friday Five: 5 Things I Loved About My NBA 2K13 MyCAREER appeared first on NLSC.

The standard edition of NBA The Run will be $29.99 USD. There will also be a Deluxe Edition for $39.99, which will include rookie variants of three players: Stephen Curry ’09, Luka Doncic ’18, and Kevin Durant ’07. While the game will only include 30 players at launch, different variants will offer some further choices. The Deluxe Edition will also include 1000 CRED, NBA The Run’s in-game currency that’s used to buy items. Play By Play has also confirmed that items are purchased with CRED directly, so there are no loot box mechanics. Purchasable items will include banners, player jerseys, taunts, and advanced dunk animations, with more items becoming available as you win games and rank up.

A second closed beta will also be taking place on May 16th. Play By Play has been listening to the feedback from the first closed beta, and outlined some of the improvements that they’re looking to make. Key areas of focus include reworking the animations to be less bouncy, making passes crisper with more variety, increasing dunk distance to avoid floaters three feet from the basket, and general tuning and balance.

We’ll be sure to post any further news on NBA The Run in the coming weeks, and of course continue to cover the game post-release. In the meantime, tune in to Episode #629 of the NLSC Podcast to hear Dee’s in-depth hands-on impressions from the first closed beta, and thoughts on how the game can improve. With the developers clearly taking feedback seriously, NBA The Run continues to be a promising prospect in a market that desperately needs alternatives, so we’re certainly hoping for the best!

The post NBA The Run Coming June 9th; More Details appeared first on NLSC.

Sunday marked ten years since Stephen Curry was named the first unanimous Most Valuable Player in NBA history. We can certainly debate as to whether he should’ve been the first, as there’s been some questionable MVP voting over the years; even when the “correct” player won the award. However, I’d suggest that even if Curry shouldn’t have been the first, he was nevertheless absolutely deserving of the honour. He had a tremendous season, with both he and the Golden State Warriors breaking records. Of course, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers spoiled the ending!

A month before the Cavaliers’ 3-1 comeback became the story that defined the 2016 season however, Curry and the Warriors were obviously the talk of the league. Their impressive campaign and Curry’s individual brilliance naturally inspired debate about ratings and rankings, which also carried over to the virtual hardwood. In the wake of taking home a second-straight MVP and in unanimous fashion, Stephen Curry was boosted to 99 Overall in the official rosters for NBA 2K16, in an update that came through ten years ago yesterday. Let’s take a look back…way back…

These days, being rated 99 Overall is the ultimate mark of excellence for players in video games. This wasn’t always the case. Although no Overall Ratings are visible in early NBA Live titles, the players do actually have them, as you can see in the roster modding tools that our founders created. Notably, the highest-rated players in NBA Live 96 PC have an Overall Rating in the mid to high 80s. Even after Overall Ratings became visible, the best players were still generally in the high 80s to low 90s. In NBA Live 2003, Michael Jordan became the first player to be rated 99 Overall in the official rosters. Previously, he’d topped all players with ratings of 93 and 95 Overall.

In other games of course, 99 Overall didn’t necessarily make a player stand out from their peers. Shaquille O’Neal notably had a rating of 100 in the Dreamcast version of NBA 2K2, though he’s 99 Overall in the PlayStation 2 release. Infamously, NBA 2K9 was too generous with 99 Overall Ratings, with LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, and most egregiously Chris Paul all boasting that rating in the official rosters. Additionally, in several NBA 2K games including NBA 2K9, copy and paste ratings for the Legends on the All-Decade teams led to many of them being rated 99 Overall. In short, what should definitely be a rare distinction has sometimes been too common.

By NBA 2K16, 99 Overall was appropriately uncommon once more. In fact, in the final official roster, only Michael Jordan from the 1996 Bulls is rated 99 Overall, while Stephen Curry and LeBron James are the highest-rated active players at 96. To that end, boosting a player to 99 Overall was unquestionably meaningful back then. As it stands, Curry had already earned a significant boost over the course of the 2016 season. He was the top-rated point guard in NBA 2K16 at launch with an Overall Rating of 93, which was second only to LeBron James’ 94 Overall among all active players. It was only fitting that they stood on equal footing by the end of the season.

Mind you, a unique accomplishment such as becoming the first unanimous MVP on a team that broke a 20-year-old mark for the best regular season record is a compelling case for further recognition! Visual Concepts and Under Armour certainly thought so, leading to a collaboration commemorating Curry’s campaign for the ages. Beginning on May 12th 2016, a “Break the Game” roster update for NBA 2K16 was available, featuring a 99 Overall Stephen Curry. It also unlocked a new MVP colourway for the Curry Two shoes, which Under Armour also began selling along with a re-release of the Curry One MVPs. A 99 Overall Diamond Curry was also released in MyTEAM.

The catch was this official NBA 2K16 roster with a 99 Overall Stephen Curry would only be available for 30 hours, in an obvious nod to his jersey number. Future roster updates would still unlock and equip his new shoes, but he was back to being rated 96 Overall. Needless to say he remained a deadly shooter with the return to his regular Overall Rating, as he still possessed a Standing Shot Three rating of 99 and Moving Shot Three rating of 97, among other attributes that ensured that he was appropriately Steph-like on the virtual hardwood. The 99 Overall Curry was even more dangerous though, with 99 for his Moving Shot Three along with boosted mid-range attributes.

While the official NBA 2K16 roster featuring 99 Overall Stephen Curry was only available for 30 hours, gamers who downloaded it weren’t necessarily doomed to lose it. It was obviously possible to save it as a custom roster without making any changes, thus allowing you to load it if you ever felt like playing with the enhanced version of Curry. You could also edit Stephen Curry thereafter to give him the attributes that he had in the promotional update, but there’s something fun about having an “official” copy of such rosters. It’s why I’ve kept an NBA Live 19 roster that features Carmelo Anthony’s phantom Bulls stint, which I saved when it was added in an official update.

As for the “Break the Game” update for NBA 2K16, it was undoubtedly a marketing tactic. From the #BreakTheGame hashtag, to advertising the new version of the Curry Twos, to encouraging gamers to fire up NBA 2K16 to snag limited-time content while it was still available, to a desirable item in a mode with loot box mechanics, it was absolutely a commercial promotion that was for the benefit of Under Armour and Take-Two. We shouldn’t pretend that it was done solely to enhance the quality and accuracy of NBA 2K16, and that a couple of big corporations weren’t trying to sell us something. There’s no denying that the update was a gimmicky commercial tie-in.

With that being said, I’ll admit that I don’t view it as cynically as some of the other promotions and marketing gimmicks in NBA 2K. Yes, it included content that was intended to encourage gamers to spend in MyTEAM, but it also gave us a souped-up Stephen Curry in the regular rosters. These days, award winners are most likely only going to be celebrated through the live service content and loot box mechanics. Sure, Under Armour were trying to sell more shoes, but we also wanted to see them in the game, and at least they weren’t paid DLC (though saying that is a damning sign of how the bar has been lowered). Most of the content was free and readily available.

It certainly helps that even if you took away the commercial aspect of “Break the Game”, making Stephen Curry 99 Overall for a limited time would still be a fun way of celebrating his unanimous MVP in NBA 2K16. Perhaps most importantly, it also predates the steady increase in greed and in-game advertising over the past ten years that’s eroded much of the goodwill that the NBA 2K series had established. Contrary to the tagline, a boosted Stephen Curry didn’t completely ruin the gameplay, but he was an incentive to grab the update and see just how well you could shoot the lights out with him. Gimmicky though it may be, it still celebrated a major accomplishment.

Once again, it was also meaningful in an era where the developers were trying to be stingier with 99 Overall Ratings, even when it came to the prime versions of all-time greats such as Michael Jordan. Nowadays, multiple versions of MJ and also LeBron James are 99 Overall in the official rosters. Furthermore, MyTEAM ends up with a plethora of overpowered cards, many of which flat-out ignore a player’s actual skills and play style in order to max out their ratings and thus make them more desirable to competitive players and compulsive collectors. If 2K attempted a similar stunt with NBA 2K26’s rosters, it’s likely that many gamers would just shrug and ask “so what?”

It’s fair to say that the Hall of Fame Ratings Scale didn’t turn out to be as good of an idea as we’d hoped, though perhaps it’s more a case of it not being implemented as well as it could’ve been. That’s a topic for another day, but if nothing else, there was merit to limiting the number of players with Overall Ratings of 95 or more, and only having one Legend – 1996 Michael Jordan – stand out with a 99. It definitely made a 99 Overall Stephen Curry feel special, placing him on par with the Greatest of All-Time; if only for 30 hours. Again, that isn’t the case nowadays where overpowered 99 Overall versions of bench players from the 2000s are featured cards in MyTEAM!

To that point, despite the commercial nature of “Break the Game”, briefly updating NBA 2K16 with a 99 Overall Stephen Curry stands as a reminder of a time when many of us felt more positive about the series. We hadn’t yet been burned by the rising cost of upgrading a MyPLAYER, and MyTEAM was also generally fairer to the consumer. We were still a couple of years away from the Pink Diamond debacle in NBA 2K19, and other decisions and controversies that shook our trust in the brand. Gamers that desired realism and authenticity were the core audience, instead of the online elitists who somehow hijacked the premiere sim title from hardcore hoops fans.

We do have the benefit of hindsight here. If you look up posts about the “Break the Game” update from 2016, you’ll certainly find some cynical and scathing opinions about a 99 Overall Stephen Curry, and using NBA 2K16 to sell shoes. You could argue that they were looking at the big picture, and the gimmick only feels harmless now because NBA 2K has done worse things. Nevertheless, as far as commercial tie-ins are concerned, this one was fairly benign, and potentially fun. And of course, if you strongly disagreed with Stephen Curry being rated 99 Overall in NBA 2K16, you only had to wait 30 hours for the next roster update to return everything to normal.

The post Wayback Wednesday: 99 Overall Stephen Curry in NBA 2K16 appeared first on NLSC.

Entering 2026, we had some plans and goals for the virtual hardwood. Since we’re rapidly approaching the middle of the year – no, don’t ask us where the time went – we decided to check in on how those plans are going! To that end, this week we’re joining the community in discussing our basketball gaming habits so far in 2026, from the selection of titles that we’re playing to the modes that have kept us hooked. We also recap a fun Parsec session with the Snes9x Super Nintendo emulator featuring a five-player co-op game of NBA Live 95 that was an absolute blast, and an intense four-player head-to-head showdown in NBA Hangtime that was ultimately decided in overtime.

To get involved with the mailbag or to provide any feedback on the show, hit us up in the comments, reach out on social media, or post here in the NLSC Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. You can also find the show on our YouTube channel, along with the rest of our video content. As always, thanks for tuning in, and go get buckets!

The post NLSC Podcast #630: 2026 Basketball Gaming Habits appeared first on NLSC.

In addition to preparing NBA 2K26 for Season 7 in MyCAREER and MyTEAM, Patch 7.0 adds the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo as playable teams in WNBA Quick Play. The uniforms and floors for all WNBA teams have also been updated for the 2026 season. Additionally, drive transitions from standing step back moves have been refined so as to be more realistic, and an issue with the NBA Cup in MyNBA when using a custom schedule has been resolved.

You can check out the official patch notes below, as well as in the NBA 2K26 update history in our Wiki. I’ve also added the notes for Patch 6.2, a small update that I missed when it came through back on April 20th. Feel free to share any thoughts on the latest patch in the comments below, as well as join in the discussion here in the Forum!

NBA 2K26 Patch 7.0 Notes

GENERAL

• Preparations for NBA 2K26 Season 7, launching on Friday, May 15, at 8 AM PT/11 AM ET/4 PM BST. Stay tuned for what we have in store!

WNBA

• The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo are now available as playable teams in WNBA Quick Play.
• Uniforms and court floors for all WNBA teams are now updated with the latest changes for the 2026 season.

GAMEPLAY

• Refined drive transitions from standing stepback moves to better align with real-world player momentum and physics.

MyNBA

• Fixed a blocker that could occur during the NBA Cup when using a non-standard schedule.

The post NBA 2K26 Patch 7.0 Released appeared first on NLSC.

There’s a very old video game trope that has been dubbed “Easy-Mode Mockery” over on TV Tropes. In short, it’s when a video game makes fun of you for playing on the easiest difficulty setting. At its most benign, perhaps the easiest difficulty level will be accompanied by an insulting message or image. In extreme cases, playing on an easy difficulty will lock you out of certain content, such as the true ending. Infamously, one of my favourite adventure games – Monkey Island 2 – advertised its easy mode as being “suitable for video game reviewers”. Take that, critics!

All jokes aside, I’m not one for gatekeeping and elitism. Video games are meant to be enjoyed, and if hitting the virtual hardwood on an easier difficulty level is fun for you, don’t let anyone bring you down (but probably don’t brag about dominating the game on Rookie, either!). In fact, with the way many games cheat to allow the CPU to be challenging on the Superstar and Hall of Fame difficulty levels, it’s not always a very satisfying experience. To that point however, if you are reviewing a basketball game, you must play it on those tougher difficulty levels as well. Contrary to Monkey Island 2’s snarky jab, video game reviewers shouldn’t just be hooping on the easiest setting.

At the very least, anyone reviewing a basketball game and playing it on Rookie or Pro should disclose that fact. And no, not because they must prostrate themselves before all of the elite basketball gamers in the community, but rather because they haven’t seen all of the game on that setting! Oh, they’ve seen how the controls and mechanics work. They won’t be locked out of big parts of the game. However, just as the easy mode in Monkey Island 2 stripped out many of the puzzles for an easier experience, a basketball video game on Rookie or Pro won’t demonstrate its full capabilities. It’s important to evaluate the challenge and fairness of all of a game’s difficulty levels.

Again, basketball games have a tendency to be unfair by design on harder difficulty settings, in aid of allowing the AI to be competitive and provide a worthy challenge. Of course, it often means the CPU will outright cheat, from gaining superhuman abilities to playing by its own rules. When a game isn’t giving you any leeway or showing any mercy, you’ll really notice issues with balance and broken mechanics! Difficulty spikes can also be too drastic or occur too soon, or the easier settings may still be too tough. A challenge that feels phoney or overwhelming to newcomers and intermediate gamers is naturally going to be frustrating, and a problem worth noting.

We don’t like to admit it because it’s interpreted as a lack of skill, but how much we enjoy video games greatly depends on whether we can beat them, or defeat others in multiplayer gameplay. No one enjoys losing, and there’s no fun in feeling helpless as you’re overrun by either the AI or a human opponent. If you’re consistently winning, chances are you’ll feel far more positive about a game. To state the obvious, it’s much easier to win time and time again when playing on the easier difficulty levels! Again, it’s perfectly valid as far as your own enjoyment is concerned, but it’s not going to allow for the most accurate appraisal if you neglect to try out the tougher settings.

It’s why it’s important for reviewers to put all the difficulty levels to the test, or at least disclose which one they’re playing on. It’s impossible to say for sure if any game will meet someone else’s needs and expectations, but the settings that you play on add vital context to your impressions, and allow you to offer recommendations. The problem is that there’s a stigma around playing on lower difficulty settings, so few people want to admit to it. There’s toxicity and gatekeeping here, which I’m strictly against. However, if you’re reviewing a game – and especially if your review contributes to its Metacritic score – due diligence requires you to see how challenging it gets on a higher difficulty.

Once again, there’s no shame in playing on a lower difficulty level. Sometimes, the combination of an easier setting and slider tweaks produces more desirable gameplay for simheads. Mind you, that’s an important observation to make in a review! Also, as I said, winning can skew our impressions of a game. Playing on Rookie or Pro, wins and cool highlights are going to be far more common, delivering a dopamine hit that can have us declaring a game to be the greatest ever. It may well be, but not everyone wants to effortlessly dominate the CPU, even on easier difficulty levels. If nothing else, reviews need to accurately describe the differing experiences gamers can expect.

This is why 2K’s controversial practice of buffing sliders in their demos was an issue that deserved far more attention than it received. The Preludes already offered a very small taste of what to expect in the full version to begin with, allowing the developers to carefully curate the experience so that it left the most positive impression possible. Again, winning and feeling dominant on the virtual hardwood is fun, while struggling and losing is not. Buffing the sliders in The Prelude made it more likely that we’d be able to succeed and thus have fun, despite controlling a low-rated MyPLAYER. With The Prelude for NBA 2K18 in particular, it honestly bordered on false advertising!

Even if we want to give 2K the benefit of the doubt here and suggest that this was done with The Prelude because the devs wanted to start us out easy and fine-tune the finished product based on our feedback – and frankly, that’s being very trusting to the point of naiveté – it’s imperative that anyone seeking to review or give feedback on the full game test out the higher difficulty levels. At the bare minimum you should play on All-Star, as that’s when the challenge tends to ramp up with the game becoming far less forgiving of mistakes and mistiming, and the AI getting noticeably cheesier. The difficulty curve is important to note as again, some games have definitely bungled it.

After all, a new mechanic and approaches such as “Green or Miss” may work fine on the easiest settings, but be impossibly difficult on the hardest levels. At the same time, a general lack of aggressiveness and smart play from the AI on lower difficulty levels may make them unsatisfying for experienced gamers who nevertheless struggle with or simply dislike the way certain mechanics work on higher difficulties. The last thing that basketball video game reviews should do is perpetuate elitism and gatekeeping, but they should definitely outline the pros and cons of all of the difficulty levels. It’s not about there being a correct way to play, but that all ways of playing are viable.

Indeed, diving deeper into difficulty levels in basketball video game reviews could potentially combat the stigma of playing on lower levels. Again, noting that one of the intermediate difficulty levels will offer a good mix of realism and challenge for most sim gamers, while the hardest settings are less realistic and deliberately unfair but still playable and great for putting one’s stick skills to the test, is useful information. It lets gamers know that they don’t need to play on the highest level to enjoy themselves, and that there’s value in the normal/medium setting. Alternatively, if a game is lacking that balance and none of the settings truly feel right, that’s important to know, too.

Unfortunately, not all reviewers bother to properly evaluate the different settings and make recommendations based on skill level and experience. Far too many reviews read like promotional materials, recapping all of the major additions and changes that were discussed during the preview season and complimenting them all. That’s not to say that there’s never any criticism, but issues that are immediately noticed by gamers – and acknowledged by developers during the next game’s preview season – are too often glossed over. It leaves you wondering if the reviewer just messed around on the easiest difficulty level, and didn’t see the need to truly subject the game to critique.

Now, it isn’t fair to expect most reviewers to spend time adjusting sliders and other settings beyond the difficulty level. That’s more of an activity for communities and content creators with a particular interest in basketball gaming than anyone reviewing games for a site or publication with a wide scope. Besides, games should be judged on how they play “out of the box”, using the recommended settings and tuning. With that being said, a trustworthy review needs to cover the impact of difficulty settings. Also, since some mechanics and settings work better in certain modes than others, a good reviewer should be clear when their gameplay impressions don’t apply to every mode.

Incidentally, this is also something to keep in mind when revisiting old basketball video games. There have been times when I’ve dusted off an old game to write a Wayback Wednesday retrospective – or just for my own entertainment – and found myself thinking “Hey, this is way better than I remembered!” because I’ve been playing the game on an easier setting while reacquainting myself with it. After I’ve got a feel for it once again and cranked up the difficulty level, that’s when I recall the issues that annoyed me all those years ago; especially in games that went from being far too easy on lower settings to unfairly difficult and frustrating on higher levels!

I’m leery of saying that a good review seeks out problems, because that mindset can result in us nitpicking and trying to find fault. However, reviews should always be looking for legacy issues and potential problems, from controls and mechanics to features and functionality to difficulty and balance. It’s all part of evaluating games, and that requires both familiarity and attention to detail. It’s also vital to remember that our point of view can be skewed by the rush that comes with succeeding at a game, as we become more forgiving of flaws and forgetful of factors that the target audience should know. In short: raise the difficulty before you finalise your review!

The post Monday Tip-Off: Difficulty Levels & Game Reviews appeared first on NLSC.