GamesRadar+ Verdict

Pros

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Animations look great
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Announcers call a great game
+
Fun and realistic flow

Cons

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Non-intuitive shot-stick system
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Where's all the dunk options?
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Mini-games aren't compelling

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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. While the current generation versions don't induce the jaw-dropping awe that the next-generation Xbox 360 version does, they nevertheless move excellently, rarely sliding around on the court in the realism-killing manner that has plagued previous hoops titles, no matter who made 'em. The dunk varieties aren't as numerous as you'd like, though ultimately there's plenty to like when looking at NBA 2K6.