Reindeer Games

NBA 2K3

PlayStation2

NBA Live 2003

PlayStation2

NBA players are the greatest players in the world, and not just because of their offense. They're also the best defenders in the world. That's why no NBA team ever shoots 50%. Based on most high-scoring NBA video games, this has been a difficult concept to adapt. The folks at Sega, though, seem to understand that driving around an NBA defender is not an easy thing. Sometimes shooters go cold, entire teams go cold. It happens. Last year's NBA 2K2 found just the right balance of offense and defense, forcing the offensive team to rely on spin moves, fakes, post-ups, and picks in order to get loose. NBA 2K3 has improved on last year's paragon of excellence, adding more offensive maneuverability, as well as more realistic caroms off the rim and even the ability to dive out of bounds to save a ball. Knowing who's shooting the ball from where is important, and 2K3 factors in every player's ability from long range, mid-range, and in close. The detail is exquisite on things like individual shooting form and even the coaches on the sidelines. EA Sports has also rolled out another fabulous-looking model in NBA Live 2003, really ratcheting up the intensity from last year's model. Problem is, the intensity borders on hyperactivity. Can players really get up the court in less than three seconds en route to one 360 gorilla slam after another? The player maneuverability is awesome, but between the game's ridiculous fast-breaking style, the into-the-third-row gargantuan blocked shots, and the utter torture of the abysmal hip-hop soundtrack that graces every break in play, NBA Live is beginning to look more and more like the cartoon reality of NBA Jam. That's fine for some people, but for the closest NBA experience, NBA 2K3 is absolutely the way to go.