NBA 2K12 [Review & Game Giveaway!]
It’s looking like NBA 2K12 is the closest basketball fans will get to an actual season this year. The league may have failed you this season but 2K Sports has created a worthy successor to last year’s sleeper hit. Regardless of genre, I believe that immersion is a necessary component to an enjoyable gameplay experience. NBA 2K12 acknowledges this while actually improving upon where its critically acclaimed predecessor left off.
The game essentially draws on nostalgia, dream match ups and competitive gameplay to create an accessible, fun product for fans of all ages. This years installment is a lot more than last years addition of Michael Jordan. 2K12 sees the playable debut of 10 new basketball legends including Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell and a host of others to create modern-era matchups. NBA fans will surely nerd out at the attention to detail in 2K12. Select to play as circa 1960’s Boston Celtics and witness the transformation of modern day gameplay to a black and white television broadcast throwback with genuine announcers in uncanny detail.
Speaking of the graphics, many of the players have noticeably improved from 2K11’s somewhat extraterrestrial looking player aesthetic. Lebron James and Dirk Nowitzki are crafted meticulously as you control them rather fluidly up and down the court. New players will feel a slight learning curve with the sequence of controls. You can essentially micromanage everything that is going on in the game while on the court, both offensively and defensively.
Anyone looking to “boomshakalaka” his or her way to NBA Jam style glory will be in for a rude awakening. You have to contend with various control schemes that can indeed be frustrating at first but tutorials or practice modes are only a menu away. This time around, you are given much more control over strategy, foot movement and shooting mechanics. Online multiplayer addicts can also set up franchise modes and play against friends for an entire season.
NBA 2K12 endears sports gamers by paying attention to detail. It’s refreshing to hear play-by-play and color commentary that is so polished and intelligent. Announcers speak in real time, remember your players’ stats and will even reference them in future games during the season. Teams like our own Philadelphia Sixers, who admittedly have not been a winning team for the last couple of years.
With Association mode, you can actually take a lackluster team like the Sixers and witness the stadium slowly fill up more seats as your team actively keeps on winning. 2K Sports does a great job at making the player feel invested in his or her team, player and season.
Overall, I found the presentation and attention to detail to be some of NBA 2K12’s greatest strengths. The game’s high replay value, plethora of modes and unfortunately the NBA lockout itself will have you quickly immersed in addictive gameplay. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a casual gamer or die-hard basketball fan; NBA 2K12 is the benchmark for every other sports game out there.
Want to score a copy? We’ve got copies for the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii to giveaway courtesy of 2K Sports! Just leave a comment regarding your favorite basketball player and we’ll select two of you at random within the next week. Good luck!
My favorite player is Kobe Bryant. Love his style.
As a kid I always liked Kareem Abdul-Jabbar because his name was so much fun to say. Even his original name, Lew Alcindor, was fun to say. In fact, his full name (thanks Wikipedia) is also fun to say: Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. It sounds very upper crust.
I doubt it comes as a surprise on a Philadelphia-based site, but Iverson was almost superhuman and insanely fun to watch play. Glad to hear 2k12 is a step up from an already impressive game last year!
Michael Jordan
Favorite player: Udonis Haslem. Went to the same high school and college and love that he’s Dwyane Wade’s personal goon.
Was looking forward to seeing Jrue Holiday run the show for the Sixers this year. Guess I can always pretend with NBA 2K12. Heck, the Phillies totally won the World Series at my house on MLB 2K11, so…
Jordan, no question about it. I was in Chicago a couple of weeks ago for the first time and made it a point to visit his statue in front of the United Center. Got my pic with it too whoohoo! Great site btw, keep up the good work.
My favorite player of all time would have to be “Dr. J” Julius Erving. The man was dominant and smooth at the same time. Plus the fact that Grover Washington Jr. wrote a song about him and his performance in “The Fish that saved Pittsburgh” can’t hurt either.
You didn’t say current player so… the Answer – Allen Iverson.
Michael Jordan. No one will ever do it better. The closest we have in this generation is Kobe and he’d be my 2nd pick.
The answer…Allen Iverson. Bring that man back to Philly!
Dwyane Wade is a god and has the smile to prove it!
Peja Stojakavic…I used to religiously watch the 3 point shootout when I was younger.
I love dewayne wade also!
Kobe is my favorite player, but I’m also a fan of Ray Allen and Peja Stojakavic.