Sega Dreamcast
Released in 2000 by Sega
Grade: C+
This second iteration of 2K basketball is pretty much the same as the first, so you may as well read my review of NBA 2K for details on the gameplay. The short version is this: It looks good and it’s easy to control, but physical contact is awkward and the basketball logic comes up way short.
Where it falls in the series
It’s the second of three Dreamcast games in the series. The series improved as it moved to the PS2/Xbox generation, and really hit its stride with NBA 2K11 on PS3/Xbox 360. 2K dominated EA’s NBA Live series and is the definitive king of simulation basketball today in 2020.
Praises and gripes
The improvements in 2K1 are mainly in the graphics and features.
The players look a little more smoothed out, although there really isn’t much improvement in their animations. The default camera is still effective but tilts up and down on certain shots, which is unnecessary.
For features, you’ve now got a few “legends” teams, and there are streetball courts where you can play 2-on-2, 3-on-3, 4-on-4, or 5-on-5.
There are a few gameplay tweaks, but they don’t address the main problems. You’ve got a more effective juke button, but you’ll still find yourself stopping abruptly when it looks like you should be able to step past your defender.
Shooting off the dribble is still useless, and putbacks happen too often.
The “call for pick” command is actually worse than before, as your AI teammate is rarely in the right spot to screen your defender.
Head fakes no longer make defenders leap in the air every time like they did in 2K, which is a good thing.
Overall, if you just want to play some Dreamcast B-ball and it’s between 2K and 2K1, you should go with 2K1 (I haven’t played 2K2 yet), but I don’t think you’ll have a whole lot of fun with either.