NBA 2K6

Games have been progressing to the point where they are nearly photo-realistic. Now that consoles can re-create pro players in dynamic digital detail, animating those on-screen pros fluidly and realistically becomes equally important. The most convincing graphics in the world won't suspend your disbelief for very long if the polygonal players move like mere action figures.

Clearly, the designers behind NBA 2K6 realized this too, because the animations in the latest NBA 2K series entry are outstanding. On Xbox 360, in fact, they're so real they'll induce a double take. The next-generation Xbox enables players to show emotion after big plays, eyes that track the ball wherever it goes, movement on the court that look like actual steps rather than air hockey-esque floating, and uniforms that bounce and sway as their occupants dart around the hardwood. Fire up the 360 version on an HDTV and see how many family members you can fool into thinking it's a live NBA game.