| ESPN NBA Basketball | |
| |
| Developer(s) | Visual Concepts |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Series | NBA 2K |
| Release Date(s) | October 16, 2003 |
| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Single Player, Multiplayer |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2, Xbox |
| Predecessor | NBA 2K3 |
| Successor | ESPN NBA 2K5 |
ESPN NBA Basketball (alternatively known as NBA 2K4) is a basketball simulation video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by Sega. It is the fifth installment in the NBA 2K franchise and the successor to NBA 2K3. It was released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Former star Allen Iverson is the cover athlete of the game. ESPN NBA Basketball is the predecessor to ESPN NBA 2K5 and is the penultimate NBA 2K game before being sold by Sega company to form 2K Sports. It is also the first game to feature the ESPN logo full time.
Features[]
ESPN NBA Basketball simulates the experience of the National Basketball Association, as well as basketball in general, and features a mix of realistic NBA games, and arcade style play. Players play NBA basketball games with real teams, such as the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs, as well as playing street basketball with customizable players. NBA games feature commentary, pregame shows, and other aesthetical affects. Several improvements to the game were made; new dribbling, dunking, shooting, and passing systems are introduced, while the visuals and sound were also improved. A hip hop focused soundtrack is present. The game features several game modes, such as 24/7, a mode where the player creates their own basketball player and takes on NBA stars, and online multiplayer, which is a first for the series.
Reception[]
ESPN NBA Basketball received a positive reception upon release, with some critics calling it the best basketball game available for the Xbox and PlayStation 2. Positive comments were mostly concerning the game's wealth of content, visuals, and overall gameplay.