Let’s face it, 2K sports has been the leader when it comes to Basketball games. Each year I sit down with the series in amazement. I will have to be honest and say the last few years seemed to feature less new features though. I also have pointed out that it seems the instructions or lack of seem to be a current trend. So this year I wanted to see some new features and more instructions to help gamers. Read the full NBA 2K8 Review and see if 2K was able to deliver the goods this year.

Gameplay

The game looks good and yes, there are a few new features added. They brought back the street ball angle now called NBA Blacktop but without the cheesy storyline. This is the kind of mode fans will enjoy allowing them to play with real NBA players in a game of street ball or a three-point shootout. They also threw in a slam-dunk mode where you can pick legends of the game and it’s a four player competition. I think 2K made a smart move bringing this mode back and revamping it without the storyline. It adds another great mode and a chance to take a break from the hardwood modes.

All the standards modes are back and are as solid as before. They also revamped the menus but they are still hard to learn to use and navigate around the game. Besides adding the Blacktop mode, they also tweaked the AI making them smarter but not overpowering in a way that makes it seem unfair. Also this year changes were made in the way the contracts work and things that are added. It makes the game seem a bit more realistic and in some ways a little more challenging. This is mainly due to the fact that the big named stars can request a no trade clause or a scoring bonus. It mirrors the real world of Basketball and is solid.

The Association mode has to be the deepest mode ever seen in the series and at times can almost get as little too realistic. Contracts, salaries, staff hiring and all the headaches of running a real ball team are handed over to you. This really is the meat of the game. The Association mode is set-up in a way that you can choose to deal with everything or have help. Basically if you choose to run every aspect of the team, it can be very involved. Some gamers will love that fact. For those who are just learning or just want to play, you can set your own pace and choose to take everything over at a later time. 2K also added in the signature style and new player control. If this was not enough for die-hard fans, they also added all new defensive sets. As you can see NBA 2K8 is loaded and this is just the single-player part of the game.

Control

NBA 2K8 has a ton of new features and the controls have been tweaked to take advantage of the new additions. The learning curve is a little steep. For example, the Slam-Dunk contest has dunks that are split into three different parts. While they look amazing, it will take time to pull off the more advanced moves. Once again the game manual and the online screens don’t show you everything you can do in the game control wise.

You may see a defender raise or lower his hands and wonder how to do this yourself. This is done by pressing in the right analog stick. In fact there are several controls never mentioned and are important to learn including being able to move several players at once and some of the signature styles. The best way to learn how to pull these moves off is when you play online and ask a friend for help. In no way should this be the way to learn something added. I have to say once again sports games need a full set of instructions added into the book and on screen. Then allow the gamer to choose to skip a help screen or go to it, but don’t just leave it out. Once you learn the controls, they work well, but 2K may want to work on a few more adjustments for next year.

Xbox Live

This year the online play is solid and it’s easy to find a game while loaded with options. You can choose to play an entire season or just play one game and even join and create tournaments. If anyone out there wants to make a solid basketball game with an online mode, 2K has the perfect formula. Even with all the features, navigating around the online mode is not hard. You can even play the Blacktop modes with up to 8 players.

As solid as the online is, they really upped the ante this year. 2K wants gamers to offer feedback. After a game or a tournament round, you are asked to answer a few questions and this goes right to the developers. This also helps in the match-making and allows fairer match up with online players. At first it may seem strange when the questions pop up, but I like what 2K is doing with their online mode. Overall a very solid online mode and for the most part hassle free and lag free.

Graphics

NBA 2K8 Screenshot

Graphically 2K has always seemed to shine and this year the game really stands out. I know there were the jokes about Shaq sweating a few years back, but the amount of details added are unreal. Everything from the new camera angles and replays to the detailed floors help make the game stunning.

NBA 2K8 Screenshot 

It really looks like a next-gen game and will be the type of game used to show off your Xbox 360. There are still a few minor issues like referees getting in the way and minor flaws but overall a great job. Each player looks real and with the new signature style at times it is like watching a game on TV. It looks that realistic that I think 2K is on the right track and certainly set the bar for the graphics this year.

 NBA 2K8 Screenshot

Keep in mind it’s not a single change that makes the game look great. It’s all the smaller additions and the fact they tweaked a few thing from last year to make it look this solid.

Audio

The Audio has always been good with the series and this year it keeps that trend. The commentators do a good job and sound convincing enough although they could beef up the script a bit. All the other sounds are realistic and the crowds are incredible. Nothing stuck out as being out of place. I would like to see the soundtrack offer a little more in the way of different music, but it’s the same stuff you hear at a real NBA game.

Replay Value

For fans of the NBA, this one is loaded with plenty of replay value. You can play a few games on the Blacktop then switch to the Slam-dunk and then continue in your career mode. The real appeal will be the online mode for most and this year it’s better than ever. One thing about NBA 2K8 it’s not a game you’ll play and then put away and forget about it. If you’re a true basketball fan, there is not a better game out there with more replay value.

Bottom Line

Overall Score: 8.6/10.0

Additional Comments

NBA 2k8 is impressive this year, but they need to address the control issues and lack of instructions. They still have a few issues that at times pop up and need tweaked. I liked what they did this year and it shows with the overall game. If they can make the right adjustments and add in a way to give gamers the instructions, the game is going to be hard to beat next year. As it is now, the competition isn’t close to delivering the overall solid gameplay that NBA 2K8 offers.

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Filed under: Reviews • Xbox 360

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