PlayStation 2
Released in 2005 by 2K Sports
Grade: B-
Back when it was new, NBA 2K6 was as realistic a basketball game as you were going to get. It was certainly the best-looking, with smooth player models, slick animations, and flashy presentation. But it’s actually quite shallow. You’ll only find it fun as sort of a novelty game, or if you just hate the sophisticated controls and AI of newer basketball games.
Where it falls in the series
It’s the fifth of twelve NBA 2K titles on PS2, the fifth of only six on Xbox, and the core gameplay didn’t change much later in the generation. The franchise got started on Xbox 360 the same year, then PS3 for 2K7.
Praises and gripes
The action doesn’t play like genuine basketball as much as it just looks like it does, if that makes sense. In the mid-2000’s, basketball games were a step behind the other sports in achieving simulation status.
At least this game offers fairly realistic results for most scoring attempts. Big men and athletic guards throw down dunks. Good shooters make outside shots. If you’re guarded closely, your chances of scoring go way down. It was enough realism to fool people into thinking it was a simulation back in its day.
I was pretty surprised to find that there aren’t really any dribbling or juking moves. Instead, players automatically snap into various animations depending on their interaction with defenders. Between-the-legs dribbling and spinning fadeaway shots sure look nice, but they’re also an indication that you aren’t playing too well. You’ll score a lot more points when your players are driving straight to the hoop or taking open jumpshots. You can at least find a “hop step” command … but only if you change to an alternate control scheme in the menus? Huh?
Tactics-wise, the game gives you just four plays to choose at a given time, one for each D-pad button. The default playbook has a pick-and-roll, an off-ball screen, a post-up, and an isolation. The pick-and-roll can result in a surefire path to the basket, but your big man isn’t smart enough to be in the right place every time. He’ll set a screen just about anywhere on the floor.
You’re much better off finding more elaborate set plays in your coaching menu and assigning those to the D-pad buttons. Find one with a more reliable pick-and-roll, and you’re golden. You’ll be attacking the basket and throwing down dunks easily. That’s where the game becomes shallow, assuming you’re willing to exploit such an easy method of scoring.
Like many sports games, this one is much more fun against another human. The CPU opponent insists on running a slow, controlled offense. Pushing the pace is certainly not the best strategy, but it makes the game a lot more fun.
If you’re the type to play 15-year-old video games just for the hell of it, you could do a lot worse than NBA 2K6. It’s easy to pick up and enjoy for a little while. Just don’t expect more than that.