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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
NBA 2K6
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 27 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 15 votes
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Game Info
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Visual Concepts
Genre(s): Sports, Basketball
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: September 26, 2005
Summary
Shot Stick -- Control the direction of your shot with the right analog stick. Pull off runners, fade-aways, finger rolls and dunks with a flick of the stick. Dual Player Control -- Set teammates into motion for alley-oops, give and gos, or to hit an open man for a 3 point play with the touch of the d-pad. Strip n Rip System -- Direction specific stealing controls let players anticipate passes by jumping into passing lanes to deflect or intercept a pass, as well as, strip the ball from a player driving to the hoop or a player with weak hands coming down with the rebound. V.I.P. System -- After your game, save your friends’ profiles to compete when they’re not available! Learn their tendencies, moves, & logic for more heated battles. Get the upper hand in an online tournaments by downloading other players’ VIP profiles. The Crib -- New to NBA 2K6 this year, you can now earn crib credits with every game you play to deck out your crib, buy music, or play mini-games. 24/7: Road to the EBC -- Take to the streets of Harlem in the Entertainer's Basketball Classic to play against NBA players and Def Jam Celebrities including Red Man, Method Man, Flavor Flav, and many other special guests. [2K Games]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: ESPN NBA 2K5 NBA 2K2 NBA 2K3
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: Official Website
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...
GameSpy
This year's game clears up almost any blemishes that may have carried over through the years, and perfects the package in a way that blew my socks off.
Read Full Review >XGP Gaming
It gets even better with the new feedback system that has been implemented. At the conclusion of each game you play online, you can either rate your opponent positive, negative or neutral.
Read Full Review >GameZone
NBA 2K6 just proves that you can improve on a series that already comes close to perfection.
Read Full Review >Kombo
The remedy to a lot of gamers out there that want the control of "NBA Street" but the entire NBA roster and the pro ball experience.
Read Full Review >1UP
The most realistic basketball game on the market. It's an accurate representation of the sport and captures a lot of the intangibles extremely well. It's got enough gameplay available to keep both the arcade and simulation contingents happy.
Read Full Review >DarkStation
2K Sports fully justifies the shift from budget to full-price for this NBA title with a deeper franchise mode, solid controls and much improved AI.
Read Full Review >IC-Games
There are so many nuances to the look of this game; it’d be a feeble task trying to list them. Needless to say, it’s stunning.
Read Full Review >Pelit (Finland)
Definitely the best basketball game available. Give-and-go passing system is a big step forward and the shot stick helps score easy baskets. Unfortunately, the camerawork is not on the same level with the other aspects of the game. [Feb 2006]
Team Xbox
Some great gameplay innovations and the standard offering of online play are hampered only by a few AI missteps and some problematic animation sets. The 24/7 and Association modes join together to offer a solid amount of gameplay for fans of any brand of basketball.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
While the tweaks to isomotion and shooting are the most obvious improvements made to an already solid basketball simulation, it's the leaps forward in artificial intelligence that ultimately define NBA 2K6's quality.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
I'm a hardcore basketball fan, so 2K6 had me immersed immediately. The upgraded graphics help, but it's the ingenious shot stick that really dominates the feel of the game.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
NBA 2K6 remains unbeatable. The competition doesn't even come close to touching this release. [Nov 2005, p.143]
Next Level Gaming
NBA 2K6 is absolutely better than last year. But it's not the powerhouse it once was. I still love the game, but they need to fix some things before it really hits the Xbox 360.
Read Full Review >Jolt Online Gaming UK
Some of NBA 2K6’s updates are incremental, while others show a continuing commitment towards maintaining the best NBA video game on the market.
Read Full Review >Gaming Age
Expectations for how much can be done to a franchise between seasons just went up.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
This is the most complete NBA game out there, dominating the court with its new control options, good A.I. and strong delivery.
Read Full Review >GamePro
All this action is powered by a load of good-looking, intricate, new animations and improved character models to produce a great little NBA show. NBA 2K6 has great appeal for that gym rat inside all of us.
Read Full Review >Pro-G
Delivers a solid simulation basketball game that's worth picking up if you've got a hankering for the sport, not to mention the fact that's it's incredibly affordable.
Read Full Review >G4 TV
Once again the game to beat, though its controls will be a sticking point for the pick-up-and-play crowd.
Read Full Review >IGN
24/7 is worth the price of the game itself, and the beefed up association mode and improved authenticity of gameplay, despite the erratic AI, make this the best installment in the franchise despite the absence of the ESPN partnership.
Read Full Review >Operation Sports
By far the best version of what has become the best NBA game on the market.
Read Full Review >GamerFeed
I seriously dig this game's up tempo style, and this is still the only basketball series that makes playing defense fun.
Read Full Review >Official Xbox Magazine
It'll have to settle for merely squeaking into the playoffs. [Dec 2005, p.117]
GameShark
It should be an instant classic, but the bugs and design oversights keep it from reaching its lofty potential.
Read Full Review >AceGamez
If you're a big basketball fan, go out and buy NBA 2K6, because it's a must and officially it's extremely accurate.
Read Full Review >Computer and Video Games
NBA 2K6 also has full Live support, something that mysteriously disappeared from "NBA Live 06" just before it was released. Take your pick. [Official UK Xbox Magazine]
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 15 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Matt Z. gave it a5:
Well i can only speak for the gameplay when playing on the season mode but once again sega sports is too arcadish for me. I didnt have much of a feel of a simulation game because i can dunk or drive to the hoop almost any play. Really that one error alone is a huge error to me which dropped 4 to 5 points off of my ranking. Other than that the gameplay is good and i'm sure the online is a blast. I'm going to have to rent Live 06 which will hopefully give me a little more realistic gameplay. we'll see.
Kwame O. gave it a9:
I like 24/7 mode and association.i love the crib,but it should be bigger.also,reverse steering on 24/7 mode is stupid.i also like create team and player, and the game producer teams.cheat-vcteam.
Colby C. gave it a9:
I bought EA Live the day it came out, played it, hated it, and ended up buying 2k6 as well. Overall this game is much much better than Live, but it still does have a few problems. I really hate the shot stick, and wish it would have the option of the old juke moves with the right thumb stick. But overall I really like this game and will continue playing it instead of Live.
Marvin J. gave it a6:
I personally feel the control changes and tuning made 2k6 even worse this year. 2k3 was the top of their form and now it's all just show.
Ron Mexico Junior gave it a9:
Where this game really shines is the association mode. The menus, navigation, sorting and just about everything is easier and more intuitive than the past two years (think the dreamcast versions, but huge upgrade). There is an extra difficulty level, the chemisty system works a lot better, and the defense in this game is pumped up (more options, etc.). For example, someone like Tayshaun sticks with his man on the drive and has a much higher chance to rip the ball using the new Rip and Strip System than say Jamall Crawford or Szcerbiak (who look like their real life idiot counterparts when trying to do big defensive plays). The free throw system is really nice too. The only faults are the occasional AI hiccup where someone will pivot three times then make a layup (though rare), the terrible commentary and player ratings are a bit off (though not nearly as bad as in Live). Full Authority is thankfully gone, 24/7 mode actually has a means to an end now, and players and teams behave more like their real life counter parts (also more so than in EA Live). If you like basketball, pick this up. A great simulation.
Lawrence P. gave it a9:
This is the basketball game fans have been waiting for, pick it up and enjoy the best basketball game ever made.
Craig S. gave it a10:
I am not ALLOWED to buy any more games, and the only time I can play is when I SNEAK off to my buddies place (Per MY WIFE!!) However, I have played NBA 2K6 at my buddies place, and it is the most realistic basketball out there. The graphics are great, and the gameplay is awesome!!!
