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ESPN NBA Basketball
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 18 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 25 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Visual Concepts
Genre(s): Sports, Basketball
Players: 8
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: October 21, 2003
Summary
ESPN Presentation - Step up and join the most anticipated presentation known to date! With detailed visuals, picture-in-picture introductions, a variety of eye-catching callouts and new studio and color commentary -- why settle for anything less! The next step in realism, accurate player models bring extremely natural looking players to life while all-new game lighting raises the standard for detail with realistic self-shadowing, creating a more dynamic look and feel for every NBA player! Total Game Control - Incredible dribble moves, stellar passing control, split second defensive reactions -- all at your fingertips as you control every aspect of your NBA game on both sides of the court! Intuitive Showtime Pass Mechanics - Your game, your show! Conquer every defense with a variety of jaw dropping no-look and behind-the-back passes, setting up monstrous finishes around the rim! Smart Camera Intelligence - Innovative, new picture angles based on ESPN's broadcast cameras will tightly follow all of the NBA action, offering the perfect viewing perspective of every play.
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: ESPN NBA 2K5 NBA 2K2 NBA 2K3
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central Game Revolution
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
GamePro
A basketball technician’s dream. Games against the CPU realistically mimic a real game, while scrimmages against friends received a boost of energy thanks to sped-up gameplay and better shot blocking. ESPN NBA Basketball 2K4 retains the top slot by just a hair.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
Minor gripes aside, Visual Concepts has elevanted its game to an untouchable level. "Live" really has nothing on it. [Nov 2003, p.170]
GameZone
Features a fantastic franchise mode and a completely different 24/7 mode, making this game the two best basketball games available in one neat package.
Read Full Review >IGN
Not only is the gameplay tight, but the addition of 24/7 mode adds a whole new level to the term "must buy"... Overall the best playing basketball game this season.
Read Full Review >Play Magazine
When you face a player, it's almost like a fighting game: who will execute the proper move first? [Nov 2003, p.104]
Official Xbox Magazine
In the end, EA's got the player control, but Sega's got the online play and more realism, so that may be the difference-maker for you. [Dec 2003, p.153]
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Until the developers master the riddle of team A.I. (players here don't always respond properly in certain situations), work remains undone. Even so, this year's model is great.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
A unique gameplay mode called 24/7... is so addictive, it's likely that many players will spend more time in 24/7 than playing standard games. If you are planning on buying only one basketball game this year, ESPN NBA Basketball is the one to get.
Read Full Review >Team Xbox
Every so often a rare title comes along that is so exceptional, so impressive that it’s nearly impossible to find a flaw. ESPN NBA Basketball is one of those games. For b-ball fans there is simply no other game with this level of depth, and for non-basketball fans it’s an excellent opportunity to learn the game, become acquainted with the players and experience the most realistic simulation of the NBA experience.
Read Full Review >Operation Sports
It’s clear that they designed this game to play more like “Live” did last year out of the box. While that will probably help them sell more copies of the game, I feel Visual Concepts should have focused on other more important problems; like off the ball movement and in game AI, before adding other modes and removing key features.
Read Full Review >Next Level Gaming
I like more of a sim aspect in my sports games which leaves me undecided about the new arcadish feel of this game.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
I rarely start off a review talking about how a game looks or sounds, but the presentation of this game can't be understated. It looks and sounds spectacular.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
With its excellent graphics and myriad game modes, ESPN NBA Basketball is a good, strong title. The gameplay quirks like rebounding difficulty and the canned animations are there and can be frustrating, but are easily overlooked when you take in the big picture.
Read Full Review >G4 TV
Clearly, the 24/7 mode is the most impressive element, and it could've easily been its own release. All combined, it adds up to a very good game, due largely to the breakout star.
Read Full Review >TotalGames.net
An absolute must buy for basketball enthusiasts (football fans think of "Pro Evoultion Soccer 3," with a license and Live capabilities). For anyone else: this is as good as console basketball gets, so try it.
Read Full Review >Armchair Empire
Aimed toward the more "casual" sport gamer. If you just want to pick up the controller occasionally and play some basketball, ESPN is your game.
Read Full Review >Xbox Nation Magazine
Of all the anouncers in the world, ESPN utilizes the unfailingly annoying Kevin Frazier. [Dec/Jan 2004, p.84]
Gaming Age
It's the bugs, the lousy camera, the lack of online leagues for Xbox and absolute necessity to adjust all of the gameplay sliders to find that decent game that shoots the overall score way down.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 8.2 (out of 10) based on 25 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Bob B. gave it a 3:
The game sucks, go out and get NBA Live 2004, it kicks ass, but dont get it on PS2 b/c PS2 online basketball games have a rather slowing down to it.
Benny L. gave it a 7:
When will Sega get it right? The AI of Shaquille O'Neal is so unrealistic. Don't get me wrong, I like ESPN (see previous review) but I mean c'mon. How can it be possible for Shaq to average 24.2 rebounds per game when every normal person knows his career average is 12.9? I played though 3 career 82 game seasons just to make sure it wasn't a glitch in the AI, but sure enough he maintained that ridiculous average. So yeah, apart from that it's not bad hey?
Leonard H. gave it an 8:
On the pick and roll the picks need to be more exact, and the players ability should decrease as their energy decreases during the game. Other than that the game is good in my eyes.
Jimbo C gave it a 2:
Guys, come on. How can you guys rate this game 9's and 10's. The game is terrible. I cant set my camera settings at all, which you were able to the past 2k series. The team averages 40 shot attempts per quarter, and all of the players shoot the same way. I am just stunned that you partnas think that this game is great. Youre killing me here. THE GAME IS BROKE, UNREAL!!!!!!!!
Ben L. gave it a 7:
Good game, but just one point i'd like to make. I was playing against the LAkers when Shaq hit 14/22 from the free throw line which equates to a 63% strike rate. Now it's common knowledge of course that Shaq hits 54.23% at the line. Now what's up with that. So yeah, otherwise great game.
Skyair S. gave it a 9:
It is still the best basketball game out there but where is Jordan is my first question. All the silly little awards you get for completing stupid challenges. Who really needs 3 teams of desingers and computer programers. Menu colors are other items you win I think 5 of them. To many charges also I can't perform Iso Motion because of a fear of getting charges. And why can I still not see all of my players attributes on the substitution menu. Other than all of these little problems that can be fixed by someone who actually plays basketball the gameplay is pretty good.
Andrew H. gave it a 6:
The gameplay is still too unrealistic. Pros: The isomotion is the best new feature to the game. Moves around the paint (such as the up-and-under) also have been added. Cons: Scoring and dunks are way too easy around the paint. Any player with a dunk rating over 50 can easily dunk outside of the paint(over 3 people), or if they make any move towards the basket while in traffic. The people still run "through" others(bodies going through bodies, arms slashing through arms), which is still a sega programming problem I noticed from NFL & NBA 2k3. Injured players that play are annoying. Players with pulled hamstrings will hobble up the court on offense, but can still do 360 dunks. While on defense, they can still play 1on1 defense drawing charges. I'm going to rent NBA Live and wait for 2k5 to come out.
