Prince of the Paint- NBA 2K10 Review

Photo of Robert Allen Robert AllenOctober 14, 2009
44 855 2 minutes read

From 1957 to 1969, the Los Angeles Lakers headed to the NBA Finals seven times, each time meeting the league-dominating Boston Celtics. The gathering of these two powerhouses forged an unprecedented rivalry, each team spurring the other to an extraordinary level of finesse. Modern gamers may recall the matchups between these two teams as being the basis for the first NBA console game- 1991’s Lakers Versus Celtics and the NBA Playoffs, for the Sega Genesis.

Today, that level of rivalry can be found between the two dominant console roundball diversions. Both NBA 2K10 and NBA Live 10 have pushed each other to unparalleled levels, offering gamers two wonderful recreations of professional hoops. In trying to secure the coveting MVP title, each game has added a host of features in an effort to entice virtual athletes.

NBA 2K10 most prominent addition is the incorporation of NBA Today; which automatically downloads the latest team trades, league news, statistics and even game commentary from the 2K Sports servers, ensuring the freshness of the game. As soon as players reach the main menu, they are presented with a list of upcoming games which they can instantly recreate using up to the minute rosters. If a player is injured in real life, don’t expect to see him on the floor.

The other significant contribution for the title is the versatile My Player feature. As the name implies, players can create their own rookie, and follow the athlete’s exploits through summer leagues, training camps, and development leagues before (hopefully) making the transition into the NBA. The mode wonderfully elucidates the critical journey in player’s lives, giving gamers a skillful sense of satisfaction as the reach the professional ranks. Arguably, no sports game has conveyed a sense of player maturation as well at NBA 2K10. It’s too bad the game’s vague admonishments and nit-picking grading rubrics can leave gamers with a sublime sense of frustration.

2K10 still uses the release of the shot button to measure the likelihood of sinking each shot. Last year’s game also added court position and amount of opposition in the vicinity into the formula, which meant that textbook layups or unchallenged jumpers almost always drained. NBA 2K10 removes much of the contextual assistance; players will inexplicably miss the occasional ‘gimme’ shoot. Additionally, the game’s sprint mechanic has been prudently overhauled. Now players will have to judicially apply energy, which first depletes an athlete’s short term sprinting power, and then their long-term stamina.

Over the years, the NBA 2K10 has increasingly enhanced its presentation in an attempt to emulate a television broadcast. From the stat-filled splash screens to the detailed capture of the physical idiosyncrasies of key players, the title’s presentation brilliantly captures the nuances of a televised match. Players will quickly notice the enhancements made to the game’s audiences; crowds are now vibrantly animated and their chants sound remarkably lifelike. The NBA 2K series has frequently suffered from the sporadic framerate issue, particularly by players who preferred the game’s 2K Cam. This year’s iteration of the game does little to remedy the occasional graphical hitch, at times even slowing down during the game’s default sideline perspective. While Kevin Harlan and Clark Kellogg’s commentary is already strong, the promise of additional dialog during the season should continue to boost the title.

NBA 2K10’s additions are substantial enough to easily recommend the title to players. Despite a few recurrent misgivings, the game offers both a refined gameplay mechanic and an extensive variety of modes that will keep hoops fans glued to their consoles long past the NBA Finals. Inevitably, the rivalry between this title and NBA Live has elevated NBA 2K10 to clutch performance; if 2K fixes the framerate, gamers might be witnessing a dynasty in the making.

Photo of Robert Allen Robert AllenOctober 14, 2009
44 855 2 minutes read
Photo of Robert Allen

Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

44 Comments

  2. The fact they they didn’t fix the frame rate problem is really worrisome. Dos 2K not listen to their fans?

  3. Thanks for writing a review where you don’t have to be a basketball nut to follow. Most reviews do that and it drives me nuts.

  5. Just noticed the blur effect, does the game do this or just replays. Maybe that’s where the framerate troubles come in.

  6. Vey fair review. I agree the game about a B/B+ in my book. The AI is kinda wonky and seems to cheat.

  7. Jumping right into a game that going on sounds very cool. Someone should have added that earlier.

  14. DE, I never knew you were such a sports fan. Just thought you were a gun nut with a strange passion for RPGs

  21. If you want to play a game with players that are injured in the league can you? Or do things have to be realistic.

  22. I always stay one year behind, but not getting all the latest upates may change my mind.

  33. Got this last night and had some slowdown during the game, but it wsn’t too bad. When the AI went full court press it showed up.

  35. That does look pretty amazing. Maybe the game adds more detail to the replay mode. I know of a few games that do that.

  36. I’ve had some cases of slowdown really effecting the game, but thats a different point.

    My problem is being disconnected from online games. It happens all the time. Will 2K fix this?

  37. Loving this game so far. I haven’t even got into the Player Creator and all the other stuff yet.

  39. Don’t expect more than a dollar for a two year old game at GS. I’d keep it If I were you.

  41. I think Gamestop is offered extra trade in amount towards the purchase of the game. I saw a flyer while I was in there today.

  42. I ended up getting Live, and I don’t know if I should stick with it, or exchange for 2K10. What does everyonethink?

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