With only 4 months to go until 2K14 is released with LeBron James making his game cover debut, the graphics and gameplay are said to be the best that have ever been seen in a basketball game. Whether you play with odds on the game against a friend or just for fun, if you are a basketball fan you must play these top basketball video games of all time.
- NBA 2K13 (PS3)
Although this is the most recent game on the list by a long way, the gameplay, graphics and interactive nature of this game has brought a realism that could only be achieved with the advancement of the gaming world in the last few years. Unlike Double Dribble, this game is very much a baby and it is fair to say that time will tell if in 20 years we will look back on NBA 2K13 with the same fondness. However, it deserves it’s place in the top 5 having raised the bar above 2K12, but there is no doubt that 2K14 will be a further advancement leaving us with just memories of 2K13.
- Double Dribble (NES)
The release of Double Dribble in 1987 brought basketball into the homes of gamers everywhere. If playing the game today, the graphics will seem extremely dated and comes complete with strange basketball physics. However, you cannot escape from the history of this game. Double Dribble was the most realistic game for years and provided a realism that was considered advanced considering the technical limitations of the time it was released. The memorable cut-scenes which would show mid-air dunks made this 1987 basketball game a classic and one which was well ahead of its time.
- NBA Jam Series (Sega Genesis)
An arcade style game, NBA Jam is an iconic basketball video game with its plain and simple gameplay and the Tournament Edition made this game advance to one of the great games of all time. Included in the Tournament Edition was the ability to make crazy dunks as well as included some hidden characters such as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Bill Clinton. The pick up and play gameplay made this basketball video game stand out from the rest and made this arcade style video game a classic.
- NBA Street Volume 2 (PS2)
The old-school flavour of NBA Street Volume 2 was one of its best features and included legendary players and its very own style. The uniqueness of this game and taking the game from the court to the street allowed for the realistic nature of its gameplay and graphics. NBA Street Volume 2 allowed the player to customise your very own player and included eye-catching team dunk super moves making this easily the best street basketball game of all time.
- NBA Live 06 (PC)
Probably the last quality release in the NBA Live series for the PC, NBA Live 06 offered good gameplay and a good Dynasty Mode and All-Star Weekend. With the right customisable settings, it was possible to give this game a sense of realism and allowed a good level of gameplay from the time when graphics were in their transitional phase to what they are today. Games on the PC generally suffered in comparison to their console counterparts however, NBA Live 06 on the PC certainly deserves its place in the top 5 basketball video games of all time.
With the advancement of basketball video games in relation to gameplay, graphics and realism, every now and again, you should take out your dusty Sega Genesis and play the NBA Jam Series. Although the new games add a different attraction to the older games, you will be transported back to your childhood with the likes of Double Dribble and you won’t be able to help but smile. It begs the question, of whether or not we will be doing the same with 2K14 in 30 years’ time.
