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The Friday Five: 5 Times Basketball Games Weren’t Family Friendly

The Friday Five

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Friday Five! The Friday Five is a feature that I post every Friday in which I give my thoughts on a topic that’s related to NBA Live, NBA 2K, and other basketball video games, as well as the real NBA, and other areas of interest to our community. The feature is presented as either a list of five items, or in the form of a Top 5 countdown. This week’s Five recalls fives times that basketball video games featured moments that weren’t completely family friendly.

Generally speaking, basketball games don’t push the envelope with controversial content. It’s not something the NBA is keen to sign off on, and it’s not really the genre for content that isn’t exactly family friendly. There’s no risqué material, or violence beyond hard fouls in sim titles and shoving in arcade games like NBA Jam. It’s simply not the right genre for that. If I want a more adult-themed game with combat, I’ll play a Fallout title. If it’s bawdy humour I’m after, I might dust off a game in the Leisure Suit Larry series. If I’m after something gorier, there’s always Mortal Kombat.

We play basketball games for the sport they represent, whether it’s a realistic or more cartoonish depiction of hoops. With that being said, there are a handful of times that basketball games have surprised us with content that pushed the boundaries of their family friendly rating. It’s seldom been in poor taste, and never anything close to the violence, profanity, and lewdness of some of the aforementioned games. At the same time, it’s not something you’d expect to see or hear in a game that’s aimed at all ages. I should note that this isn’t meant to be a stuffy pearl-clutching article, but rather a light-hearted reflection on unexpected content in otherwise family friendly games.

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U R Basketball 2K13 & 2K14 V87 Released

U R Basketball 2K13 & 2K14 V87 Released

Thanks to the NBA 2K22 preview season earlier in September, I’ve once again fallen behind in posting a bulletin about the release of a new version of U R Basketball by skoadam and slimm44. V87 of URB is now available for NBA 2K13 and NBA 2K14 PC, with offseason rosters updated as of August 25th, 2021. A full breakdown of the key features is as follows:

  • 250 new portraits
  • All trades and free agent signings as of August 25th, 2021
  • Updated contracts and extensions
  • Updated faces
  • Updated MyCAREER Draft picks
  • Updated MyCAREER courts and stadium
  • Updated MyCareer jerseys
  • Updated schedule for 2021/2022 season (fictional)
  • 2022 & 2023 Draft Class
  • New coaches
  • Trades (new portraits)
  • Seasons screens
  • Title screen and menu with 2K22 logo
  • Age and contracts corrected for next season

U R Basketball for NBA 2K14 can be downloaded here; please see the release topic here for more information and support. The NBA 2K13 mod is available here, while the release and support topic can be found here. As previously noted, fixes for retro shoes, Draft Classes, and other enhancements are still in the pipeline, along with further 2022 season updates. Stay tuned to skoadam’s topics for further information and previews of all future releases!

Wayback Wednesday: Knicks vs Magic in NBA 1K95

Wayback Wednesday: Knicks vs Magic in NBA 1K95

This is Wayback Wednesday, your midweek blast from the past! In this feature, we dig into the archives, look back at the history of basketball gaming, and indulge in some nostalgia. Check in every Wednesday for retrospectives and other features on older versions of NBA Live, NBA 2K, and old school basketball video games in general. You’ll also find old NLSC editorials re-published with added commentary, and other flashback content. This week, it’s a highlight reel featuring the ’95 Knicks taking on the ’95 Magic in NBA 2K14 PS4, which I’m calling NBA 1K95.

No, I haven’t forgotten all about NBA Live 10, but I do have a new addition to my retro basketball gaming rotation: NBA 2K14 on PlayStation 4. It’s another game that I’ve developed a new appreciation for, having pushed it aside when it was new. In addition to finally playing through the first MyCAREER story, I’ve been hitting the virtual hardwood with classic teams. The PS4/Xbox One version of NBA 2K14 had fantastic presentation, and combined with music from NBA Live 95, I’ve put together a highlight reel from a game between the ’95 Knicks and ’95 Magic. Check out NBA 1K95 to take a look back…way back…

It goes without saying, but making the right decisions in crunch time is the difference between a win and a loss! I hope that you enjoyed the reel, and found it to be a double dose of nostalgia. As I’ve done with NBA Live 06 and NBA Live 10, I’ll be revisiting NBA 2K14 in a future Wayback Wednesday feature, as I do have some new thoughts on the game in the wake of my recent retro gaming kick. Be sure to subscribe to the NLSC YouTube channel for more video content, including the weekly Top 10 Plays curated by Dee4Three!

March Modness 2021 Giveaway Winner: Pep

NLSC March Modness

This is a very late announcement, but congratulations to Pep, winner of our March Modness 2021 giveaway! Pep continues to make great updates for NBA 2K14 to this day, and also won the giveaway back in 2019. Pep has won a copy of the Standard Edition of NBA 2K22 PC, and will also receive an NLSC t-shirt, courtesy of Arcane Team Apparel.

A big thanks as always to everyone who entered this year’s March Modness contest, and continues to share their mods with our community! Don’t forget that we offer free and permanent file hosting for our modding community, in order to preserve these great releases for years to come. With NBA 2K22 released and a new season of modding underway, I encourage everyone to make use of our facilities. For more information on uploading and adding files to our Downloads database, be sure to check out this tutorial.

NBA 2K22 Official Patch Details & History

NBA 2K22 Official Patch Details & History

As I’ve been chasing up my pre-order of NBA 2K22 Next Gen since launch, I’ve neglected to post bulletins about the official patch releases. I’ve since caught up on all of the details and added them to our Wiki, as well as posted them in the Forum.

So far, the Current Gen version hasn’t received any detailed patch notes, except to say that there are stability fixes and no gameplay adjustments. However, there are details on the latest official patch for NBA 2K22 Next Gen, which added traditional broadcast cameras to MyNBA, improved loading speeds in The City, and addressed some disconnection issues.

You can find the full notes for Patches 1.4 and 1.5 for NBA 2K22 Next Gen below. Moving forward, I’ll be posting bulletins when new patches are pushed through, as well as adding the details to the update history in our Wiki and Forum resources. You can find the Current Gen/PC update history here, and the discussion topic here in the Forum. The update history for Next Gen can be found here in the Wiki, and you can join in the discussion in this Forum topic.

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Monday Tip-Off: Balancing Consequences & Fun

Monday Tip-Off: Balancing Consequences & Fun

We’re at midcourt, and the ball is about to go up…it’s Monday Tip-Off! Start your week here at the NLSC with a feature that’s dedicated to opinions, commentary, and other fun stuff related to NBA Live, NBA 2K, and other basketball video games. This week, I’m tipping things off with my thoughts on the delicate balancing act between consequences and fun in hoops gaming.

Developing a video game that satisfies its target audience is easier said than done; not just from a technical standpoint, but a conceptual one as well. That’s because even within a specific demographic, there are different preferences and approaches to gaming. Some people like exploration, storytelling, and immersion. Others prefer a more competitive atmosphere. One may prefer video games to be a fun distraction, while others want a challenge and choices with consequences. These are all valid preferences, and thus catering to them all as best as possible is a daunting task.

That is nevertheless the goal that I believe basketball games have been striving for, with mixed results. Of course, to a certain extent, consequences are supposed to be part of the fun, because therein lies the challenge and the game. In a team building mode, there’s currency to budget, and strategies to assembling a squad that’s both successful and fun to play with. In single player career modes, there’s likewise budgeting of in-game currency, optimal build choices, and efficient methods for grinding. Making the right choices is all part of the experience, but without the right balance, the consequences can be too severe and thus detract from the fun.

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NLSC Podcast #394: You Mean, It’s Not Just Us?

NLSC Podcast Logo

Episode #394 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Derek (aka Dee4Three) and I are your hosts for this weekly podcast that’s all about basketball gaming.

The Saga of the Missing Pre-Order has come to an end – sort of – which means we have further impressions of NBA 2K22 Next Gen to share! They’re mostly positive, though we do have some criticisms of the MyTEAM economy and MyCAREER grind. We also touch on the most recent patches for the game, and discuss a refreshingly honest review that brings up many of the issues we often make a point of covering. From the impact of recurrent revenue mechanics to the reality of 2K fatigue, we’re clearly not alone in our views on basketball gaming! A Windows 10 upgrade has also opened up new gaming opportunities with Parsec, including our semi-finals series in the NBA Live 10 Tournament. Finally, this week’s mailbag includes suggestions from the community for new classic teams.

Join in the conversation in the comments below, or here in the Forum! Additionally, feel free to hit us up with any feedback on the episode, as well as mailbag questions and topic suggestions for future shows. For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. The show also comes out on our YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe for future episodes and other video content.

NLSC Top 10 Plays of the Week: September 25th, 2021

NLSC Top 10 Plays of the Week

It’s time to enjoy some virtual hardwood highlights in the NLSC Top 10 Plays of the Week! This is a weekly feature curated by Derek (aka Dee4Three) spotlighting the best plays from the basketball gaming community, which includes a few of our own memorable clips from time to time. Submit your clips in the Forum, or hit up Derek on Twitter!

This week’s NLSC Top 10 Plays is full of dunks, but I think you’ll agree that in real life and in video games alike, it’s difficult to go past aerial artistry. Some of the plays leading up to the slams are mesmerising in their own right, and once again, a variety of titles are represented in the countdown. In particular, it’s great to see less talked about games such as NBA Live Mobile and NCAA March Madness 2001 in the highlights. It’s also obvious that my NBA 2K14 kick hasn’t ended just yet.

What was your favourite highlight this week? Sound off in the comments below, and once again, get in on the fun by sending us your spectacular moments on the virtual hardwood or blacktop. All basketball games are welcome, new and old! Also, be sure to subscribe to us on YouTube for more basketball gaming videos.

The Friday Five: 5 Fleeting Moments Preserved in Official Rosters

The Friday Five

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Friday Five! The Friday Five is a feature that I post every Friday in which I give my thoughts on a topic that’s related to NBA Live, NBA 2K, and other basketball video games, as well as the real NBA, and other areas of interest to our community. The feature is presented as either a list of five items, or in the form of a Top 5 countdown. This week’s Five is a list of five fleeting moments that have been preserved in official rosters.

It’s a phrase that I’m no doubt overusing in my articles and on the NLSC Podcast, but basketball video games are interactive almanacs, preserving a snapshot of the season they were released in. It’s not always a completely accurate picture, of course. Older games didn’t receive official roster updates, and were guaranteed to be outdated by the time they were released. It’s how we ended up with players who appeared in more video games than real NBA games, or on teams they ultimately never suited up for. Nevertheless, with or without updates, games preserve a moment in NBA history.

However, depending on when the games were released and what kind of updates they received, they can end up preserving some fleeting moments. Again, this is something that could technically be said of all games at launch, but I’m referring to particularly noteworthy or unusual examples such as stints that were only accounted for due to a late release, or specific lineups that represent a very precise time. Also, although I’m technically including it as an honourable mention by noting it here, I’m foregoing the example of Michael Redd on the Mavericks, as I’ve covered it plenty of times before! With that being said, here are some fleeting moments, and the games they’re found in.

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File Additions for NBA 2K14

NBA 2K14 Cover Art

Today’s file additions for NBA 2K14 PC include court updates for the New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers, and a new face for Craig Hodges. Check them out at the links below!

z3r0
20-21 New Orleans Pelicans Stadiums (z3r0)
20-21 Portland Trail Blazers Stadiums (z3r0)

IceCr
Craig Hodges Face (Updated to v2.0)

Thanks to everyone who continues to contribute to our Downloads database! If you need help uploading files, be sure to check out this video tutorial. For more information about downloads, the modding community, and File Additions bulletins, please see this FAQ in our Wiki.

Wayback Wednesday: Wizards Michael Jordan & Video Games

Wayback Wednesday: Wizards Michael Jordan & Video Games

This is Wayback Wednesday, your midweek blast from the past! In this feature, we dig into the archives, look back at the history of basketball gaming, and indulge in some nostalgia. Check in every Wednesday for retrospectives and other features on older versions of NBA Live, NBA 2K, and old school basketball video games in general. You’ll also find old NLSC editorials re-published with added commentary, and other flashback content. This week, I’m taking a look back at Michael Jordan and his time with the Washington Wizards, as well as its impact on video games.

For those keeping track, it was twenty years ago this Saturday that Michael Jordan announced that he was coming out of retirement to play for the Washington Wizards. Although it’s a chapter in his career that many people gloss over, MJ’s Wizards years did have their bright moments. His second comeback and third NBA stint overall also had an obvious effect on basketball video games, especially given his history on the virtual hardwood throughout most of the 90s. In that regard, it actually had more of an impact than when he said “I’m Back” almost 27 years ago!

As a Michael Jordan fan and avid basketball gamer who had just taken over running the NLSC, his comeback with the Wizards stands out quite vividly in my memory. Given that it’s the 20th Anniversary of a comeback that saw His Airness become a familiar face in a strange place, I felt that it would only be appropriate to reflect on both the real event, and how it affected basketball games. Let’s take a look back…way back…

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File Additions for NBA 2K22

NBA 2K22 Cover Art

Here is the first batch of file additions for NBA 2K22 PC! Releases include Dee4Three’s conversions of his NBA 2K21 face updates, and a Mavericks jersey update by pinoy21. Download them all at the links below!

pinoy21
Dallas Mavericks Jersey

Dee4Three
The Mask Cyberface by Dee4Three
Walter McCarty Cyberface by Dee4Three
Jim Jackson Cyberface by Dee4Three
Smush Parker Cyberface by Dee4Three
Mark Blount Cyberface by Dee4Three

Thanks to everyone who continues to contribute to our Downloads database! If you need help uploading files, be sure to check out this video tutorial. For more information about downloads, the modding community, and File Additions bulletins, please see this FAQ in our Wiki.

Monday Tip-Off: The Upper End of the Demographic

Monday Tip-Off: The Upper End of the Demographic

We’re at midcourt, and the ball is about to go up…it’s Monday Tip-Off! Start your week here at the NLSC with a feature that’s dedicated to opinions, commentary, and other fun stuff related to NBA Live, NBA 2K, and other basketball video games. This week, I’m tipping things off with some reflections on being at the upper end of the basketball gaming demographic.

For all the criticism that The Simpsons receives for staying on the air as long as it has, it continues to be referenced in memes. Such is its impact on pop culture, and online discourse. There are two references to The Simpsons that are frequently trotted out to comment on age, and not surprisingly, they both involve that lovable curmudgeon, Abraham Simpson. In a flashback where a young Homer mocks Abe for being out of touch, Abe very ominously warns that when it comes to no longer being “with it“, it’ll also happen to Homer one day. Abe is also the infamous old man yelling at a cloud.

Now that I’m around Homer’s canonical age, I have to admit that I’m starting to feel what he felt in that episode. At the same time, I also relate to what Abe was talking about. Even though we Millennials are still copping flak from older generations, to Gen Z, we’reold heads“, too. We grew up admiring different players, and the video games we played didn’t have microtransactions. Our expectations are therefore quite different, and it’s apparent that many features are not aimed at us. As I said, I’m far closer to Homer in age than I am to Abe, but as I find myself at the upper end of the basketball gaming demographic, Grampa’s warning thus feels increasingly apt.

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NLSC Podcast #393: Failure to Launch

NLSC Podcast Logo

Episode #393 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Derek (aka Dee4Three) and I are your hosts for this weekly podcast that’s all about basketball gaming.

A first round series in the NLSC NBA Live 10 Tournament concluded with a fittingly competitive contest. On a more unfortunate note, postal delays continue to keep the PlayStation 5 version of NBA 2K22 from reaching one of us, but the other has some further impressions to share. We discuss the state of MyTEAM in this year’s game, and provide an update on an issue with the PC version. We also talk about balance, and frustration with criticism being dismissed out of hand. After NBA 2K16 comes up, we’re moved to reflect on the history of issues with retro teams, and the Hall of Fame Ratings scale. In a reversal of last week’s mailbag, we also talk about the worst basketball game launches, as well as some of the most frustrating mechanics over the years.

Join in the conversation in the comments below, or here in the Forum! Additionally, feel free to hit us up with any feedback on the episode, as well as mailbag questions and topic suggestions for future shows. For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. The show also comes out on our YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe for future episodes and other video content.

NLSC Top 10 Plays of the Week: September 18th, 2021

NLSC Top 10 Plays of the Week

It’s time to enjoy some virtual hardwood highlights in the NLSC Top 10 Plays of the Week! This is a weekly feature curated by Derek (aka Dee4Three) spotlighting the best plays from the basketball gaming community, which includes a few of our own memorable clips from time to time. Submit your clips in the Forum, or hit up Derek on Twitter!

Needless to say, this week’s NLSC Top 10 Plays features some entertaining highlights from the newly released NBA 2K22. However, even with the excitement of a new game, it’s clear that plenty of older titles are still getting a run. From NBA Live 06 and NBA Live 10 to NBA 2K10 and NBA 2K14, a variety of old favourites remain in the rotation, producing an array of impressive plays. Dunks, trick shots, and crafty moves are all on display in another Top 10 countdown that I’m sure everyone will enjoy.

What was your favourite highlight this week? Sound off in the comments below, and once again, get in on the fun by sending us your spectacular moments on the virtual hardwood or blacktop. All basketball games are welcome, new and old! Also, be sure to subscribe to us on YouTube for more basketball gaming videos.