Metacritic Games

NBA 2K2 (GameCube)

Features devastating new low post moves, exclusively captured by NBA All-Star Rasheed Wallace. Exploit your defender with a quick drop step, back him down into the key, pull up for a sweet fadeaway, or pass to the open man. Includes real street courts - hoop it up at nine of the most famous playgrounds around the country, such as Rucker Park or Venice Beach. [Sega]

Sega
Sports
Players: 2
E (Everyone)
Developer: Visual Concepts
Released March 19, 2002

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

90 / 100

Critic Reviews

100	Hot Games NBA 2K2 still showcases the best basketball game out there - steady game play, dazzling visuals, realistic sound.
95	Nintendojo Buy this incredible simulation now.
92	Sports Gaming Network Those familiar with the 2K series already know it's the best basketball franchise around. For all others, welcome to the party.
91	Gaming Age The responsive control and challenging AI make it a complete basketball experience.
90	Game Informer The graphics and physics are inferior to "Courtside" on the 'Cube, but 2K2 gets the nod in nearly every other aspect. [May 2002, p.85]
90	GamePro Button spacing on the GameCube controller is the only real liability as it takes some time to learn not to hit X and A at the same time.
90	Electronic Gaming Monthly A thinking man's hoops game that looks (the lay-ups and fadeaways are sweet) and plays better than any other. [May 2002, p.112]
90	GamerWeb Nintendo Hell, on the GameCube, nothing compares to NBA 2K2.
90	Nintendo Power Great AI. It is the standard by which all basketball games should be judged. [May 2002, p.136]
86	IGN Sega's NBA 2K basketball series is nearly the equivalent of EA's Madden-brand football franchise.
86	GameSpot Its wealth of gameplay modes dwarfs that of the competition, the gameplay can be slightly buggy at times but remains predominantly tight, and the graphics are more than adequate.
80	Yahoo! Games If you want to feel like you have control over the game, can overlook some dated graphics and a poor viewing angle, then NBA 2K2 is just about the best basketball game on the market.
80	Total Video Games The commentary in this game is wonderful, the best in any sports game to put it simply. Relevant, amusing and just very slick it really adds to the atmosphere.