[skillz44]

The NBA 2K series is a series of basketball video games developed and released annually. Beginning in 1999, The NBA 2K series was an exclusive to the Sega Dreamcast. The series was originally published by Sega, under the label Sega Sports and developed by Visual Concepts.

Commentary

The first four games of the series featured commentary from fictional announcers "Bob Steele" and "Rod West" (voiced by Bay Area sports radio personalities Bob Fitzgerald and Rod Brooks who's working at KNBR 680 San Francisco. They also host a radio show called "Fitz and Brooks"), but since NBA 2K3 the game's announcing team has been something of a revolving door, featuring commentary from the likes of Bill Walton, Tom Tolbert, Kevin Frazier, Michelle Tafoya, and Bob Fitzgerald. The color and play-by-play commentary in NBA 2K6, NBA 2K7, and NBA 2K8 is provided by Kenny Smith and Kevin Harlan, with Craig Sager providing sideline reports. Peter Barto is the PA Announcer. NBA 2K9 features commentary from Kevin Harlan and Clark Kellogg, with Cheryl Miller as sideline reporter.

Ownership

In 2002 Sega implemented the American television network, ESPN's brand with their Sega Sports video games. The ESPN brand was used for 3 games until ESPN signed a 15-year deal with EA Sports.

In 2005 Sega sold the NBA 2K series along with Visual Concepts to Take-Two Interactive. The series is currently published by 2K Sports, a publishing label of Take-Two.

Features

The PlayStation 3 version of NBA 2K7 was the first version to support motion sensing controllers with a free throw shooting mechanic that has the player move the Sony SIXAXIS controller in a motion similar to a real free throw shot, but was discontinued for later games in the series.

In 2008 2K sports released the newest version of the NBA 2K series, NBA 2K9. Featuring Shot Stick 2.0, Living Rosters, and Association 2.0. These new features are all apart of the new era of sports gaming. Living Rosters is very similar to the feature in NBA Live 09, updating daily rosters on to the console. For Xbox 360, users can download through 2kshare or through the official 2K rosters updates. Living Rosters provide players with the most up-to-date roster in the NBA along with an 2k insider tracking player development and updating player ratings with each released roster update. Now players can simulate the most up-to-date basketball game. Before the Living Rosters released, players were stuck with old and outdated rosters.

Association 2.0 features NBA.com as the main option. Players can track stats and player development through NBA.com via 2ksports.

Shot Stick 2.0 is another new feature in NBA 2K9. Show Stick 2.0 allow players to change their shot in midair. Users can flick the analog sticks (i.e. shot sticks) to change the motion of the players in the game. While a player is flying through the air in the game, you can change his shot and avoid the shot blockers, displaying a nifty move maneuvering around the shot blocker to make the shot.

Series features and awards:

NBA 2K7
-Features Shaquille O'Neal on the cover.

NBA 2K8
-Features a Slam Dunk Contest & Three Point Contest mode similar to EA Sports NBA Live series.(only on next generation version)
-Features Chris Paul on the cover.
NBA 2K9
-The first Windows release of the NBA 2K series.
-Features Kevin Garnett on the cover.
-First game to feature live roster updates from the 2K Insider rather than periodic roster moves available for download.
-Uses Steamworks for authentication and update.
-The ability to imported draft classes was canceled for this edition as the College Hoops 2K series began its hiatus. A limited feature to edit draft classes was used in its place.

NBA 2K10
-The first PlayStation Portable and Wii release of the NBA 2K series, and the first on a Nintendo system since NBA 2K3 for the GameCube.
-Features Kobe Bryant on the cover

Covers

[2K Admin Ron]

Wow great post. I will get this posted shortly.

[jimo2305]

wow skillz.. impressive