Were it not for the online issues, NBA 2K12 would be the closest thing to a "perfect" video game basketball experience we have yet come to. In fact, it still probably is. This is one of those rare sports games where the offline content nearly made me forget about the online component.
NBA 2K12 is simply the best sports simulation ever made. Visual Concept add freshness and a nostalgic feeling to the game with "The Greatest" mode and, in a totally unexpected way, changed the gameplay completely. Now NBA 2K12 is pure NBA basketball in your very hands.
The last time I watched an entire professional basketball game was during the Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller, Malone/Stockton era. The last time I owned a basketball video game was NBA Jam for my Super Nintendo. Simply put, I'm just a baseball/football guy. Last week, however, my brother brought home this game and wanted to play a few games. I obliged, and quite surprisingly was **** in from the opening tip-off of that first game.
Though I can't comment on the "frills" of this game (career mode, practice, etc.) as I will never use them, I have now played dozens of exhibitions against friends and have immensely enjoyed the experience. The biggest reason? The control scheme is very well designed (the key structure of any successful sports video game franchise). The controls are simple enough for beginners, yet "deep" enough for the seasoned vet to perfect his/her game.
Thus, I was pleasantly surprised by this game and foresee more hours of fun with it in the future. Wheres 2K Sports have fallen way behind the curve in their baseball franchise, they are the "industry leader" in this NBA fare and I hope they continue into the future. Even if you aren't a "baller" you can still have fun with this one.
The best sports game out there. Its better than Madden and I really don't know if its better than FIFA but NBA 2K12 improves on everything 2K11 does and does it even better. 2K is now the king of basketball games.
The additions to the my player mode alone are worth the price of admission, and those who grew up playing Lakers vs. Celtics and other classic 16-bit basketball games will love being able to play as their favorite athletes with a modern-day presentation. While the NBA's greatest mode could have benefitted from more depth, the improved gameplay means that NBA 2K12 has once again earned a spot in the starting lineup.
On the whole, NBA 2K12 not only improves on last year's game with tighter controls and other incremental improvements, but 2K Sports has also delivered enhancements and revisions that matter.
This game is the best basketball gaming experience out there already, and little things for in-game customization and the addition of a couple more gaming modes will only continue to make anybody think twice about trying to compete.
NBA 2K12 will have to settle for being the closest thing to perfect I've ever seen in an offline sports video game. But it could have done much more -- it could have saved our season.
NBA 2K12 is definitely a game any basketball fan should own and a game that will keep you occupied until 2K13 is released at a minimum. If I had more online friends who played the game I know I would have enjoyed the online experience more than I did, so it's definitely a game you should check out if you know a few friends who would also play. Casual sports gamers should at least rent this game and see if it tickles your fancy. Swoosh!
Outstanding job by 2k, great updated graphics, new 2k share is awesome, great menu, great gameplay, great commentary, and all of the above. One of the best sports games ive ever played.
This game is really good for a couple reasons:
1) the character animations are fantastic and so is the presentation of the game
2) Teams play differently and you can recognize it
3) Playing games throughout history and learning from it is lots of fun
4) Players have unique skill sets and playing in the post is entertaining.
This game also has some real issues to work out:
1) Momentum in the game is really overpowering. If your opponent has hit a few shots in a row you will NOT make an open jumper, lay-up, etc. If your quarter starts and your down 8-0 its gonna get worse.
2) Players generally miss open shots if you shoot too early in the shot clock; your punished for uptempo style
3) In Association mode, computer GM's make awful trades and sign free agents that make little sense. Teams will overstack with 3 starting point guards and pay not attention to their power forward. One team in particular had Kyrie Irving, drafted a top 5 point guard, and then signed Chris Paul in free agency.... Needless to say after a few years the league gets pretty whacky.
4) Drafting is a crapshoot. Unless you have a top 3 pick dont even bother. The system is shallow in that an overhyped prospect doesn't bust and you never find diamonds in the rough in later rounds. You also have no sense of your prospects game so the first couple years is a trial and error of shots, drives, and fails.
The Graphics, Presentation, and general gameplay alone makes this game a 9.5
The flawed Association mode and now dead Online mode makes this game a 5
I'll go 7 in the middle.
Awesome, But really doesn't do much more than 2k11, I realize this a sports game so that comes with the territory, I personally hardly notice a difference from 11 to 12. I don't think its worthy of all the praise heaped upon it. Multiplayer is Lagged out to the Max also, which should have been fixed from last year. If you like Ball, you will enjoy this, especially if you haven't played a basketball game in years. It is the NBA Live Killer after all.
Don't buy this game.
this game cheats as hell, last game I did I lost for actual cpu cheating. In the 3rd quarter, most of the shots (unguarded) were missed by my team, and the other team recovered and won the game hitting incredible shots (not mentioning the unrealistic mass of turnovers I always get in every single game). I will re-sell this **** out.
I'm creating a 3pt specialized pg, I've been able to make it a very good player even in rookie season because I get good scores every game. But it frustrates you with stupid and unrealistic ingame glitches that make you almost throw away the pad. Only one word: crap
5/10
Its a fun game but its just a carbon with some new features and those new features have ruined a lot of the fun in the game for me and many other gamer's.