The score is 99 to 98 the Chicago Bulls are down by two and there are 10 seconds left on the clock. The ball finds it way into the hands of Michael Jordan and the entire team is depending on you. This is the scenario countless young basketball fans set for themselves in their driveways, back yards, and play grounds. Now you can play in this and many other historic moments in the new NBA2K11.
NBA2K11 is light years ahead of the competition when it comes to basketball video games, and this year they make that distance even larger. This year the entire game is focused on the legendary career of Michael Jordan, and not only does this years game allow you to play as the G.O.A.T. but it lets you put yourself in the game like never before. They have altered a few controls allowed you to have a greater control on if you want a stutter step, spin move, cross over, or fade away jumper. In this break down you will be able to see the many different reasons why this game is the must have basketball game for any fan.
The Jordan Challenge
In the Jordan Challenge players will be able to control the Chicago Bulls during Jordan’s greatest games to see if they can re-create the unforgettable performances of His Airness.
Some of these challenges include:
— April 20, 1986 (Game 2 of the 1st round of the playoffs against the Celtics when Jordan scored 63)
— March 28, 1990 (regular season game against the Cavs when Jordan scored 69)
— June 3, 1992 (Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs vs the Trail Blazers when Jordan scored 35 in the first half)
— March 28, 1995 (Jordan returns to the game and scores 55 against the Knicks)
— June 11, 1997 (the famous Jordan “flu game”)
— June 14, 1998 (the day of his last game in a Bulls uniform as his last second shot gives the Bulls its sixth title under his reign)
(Another fun fact is that EVERY shoe in the Jordan collection can be found in the game)
To make these situations as realistic as possible all of the rights have been acquired to recreate the opposing forces of each game. This means that you will be able to go up against John Starks, Karl Malone, Clyde Drexler, if you feel like hitting a buzzer beater in a poor guys face they even added Craig Ehlo. Not only did they put each of these players in the game but they have motion captured their shot styles, passing likeness, and game tendencies to ensure the most realistic game experience. These teams can also be used in regular game play so you can put the ’95 Knicks up against the ’09 Lakers if you wanted. This way you can try and out do Jordan’s performance with Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, or any one today’s players.
Each one of these scenarios is drastically different from one another. For example, you may have score 55 points one game and in the next challenge you may have to average 11.5 assists through an entire series. This forces the game player to change the way he approaches each scenario, making you the scorer in some and the facilitator in others. When you finish all of the Jordan Challenges you unlock a very special mode called MJ Creating A Legend. In this mode you get to place rookie Jordan on any modern team and you have the chance to recreate his career. You are player locked on him, which mean you cannot switch from player to player you HAVE to be Jordan.
The Association
In the Association mode of NBA2K11 you can live the life a basketball player starting from trying out for teams, training camp, draft day, practices, and game day. This is the same mode as last year but they have added a few exciting features. The first of these is the chance you have to attend the NBA draft and see your player meet the commissioner as he hands you a hat for the team that will be your new family. You also now have post game press conferences, where you will be asked by reporters about the game and will be given multiple-choice answers that determine what type of a player you are. You can be a fan favorite, neutral player, or the hated super star.
Controls
The new Iso-motion control system allows you to now choose your juke moves depending on the situation you find yourself in. You can now size up your opponent and cross over either direction, stutter step, pump fake, jab step, spin right, spin left, or hypnotize your opponent with fancy foot work just before draining a shot in his face. Since this game features Michael Jordan, all of his famous moves have been motion captured and can be recreated as you see fit.
NBA2K11 is definitely a game that basketball gamers and fans have been waiting a long time for. So grab your buddies, extra controllers, and prepare to hit the court with some of the greatest match ups in NBA history.
By: Mike Anderson