Menu
Home | Andrew

Author Archives: Andrew

File Additions for NBA 2K21

NBA 2K21 Cover Art (Current Gen)

Today’s assortment of file additions for NBA 2K21 PC includes a portrait update from our own Dee4Three, three faces by Shuajota, and an updated scoreboard pack from Karinge. Download them all at the links below!

Dee4Three
Desmond Mason Sonics Portrait

Shuajota
Gabriel Deck Face
Moses Brown Face
Elijah Bryant Face

Karinge
ESPN & FOX 2021 Scoreboard (Updated to v10.5)

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.

The Friday Five: 5 Games with the Wrong Vibe

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 basketball video games that had the wrong vibe about them.

I wouldn’t blame you if you’re looking at this week’s topic and thinking that I’ve lost my mind, talking about a basketball game having the wrong kind of “vibe”. What kind of a metric is that? Allow me to explain myself, as I think many of you will actually be able to relate. I’m sure that at some point, we’ve all eagerly picked up a new hoops title, only to feel disappointed in it. However, that disappointment goes beyond our complaints about gameplay, modes, graphics, animations, and so on. Something about the game just feels…off. Some problems may be more conceptual than technical.

As such, this can be a very personal reaction, and thus highly subjective. Furthermore, although it’s more common for games with a lot of issues to have the wrong vibe, it can also happen with titles that are generally considered to be good, if something about them just doesn’t gel with you. To that end, while I expect I’m not alone on a couple of the examples I’m sharing here, I suspect that not everyone will agree with all of them. That’s fine; as I said, it’s highly subjective, and I’d be interested to hear other examples from my fellow basketball gamers. With that being said, for one reason or another, these five games just didn’t have the right vibe for me.

Read More »

NBA 2K17 PROJ-ReBorn Mod Now Available

NBA 2K17 PROJ-ReBorn

If you’re still playing NBA 2K17 PC, check out the recently released PROJ-ReBorn mod! The project, spearheaded by SiC2KK, includes 2021 season rosters, current jerseys, new shoes, and everything else required to bring the game up to date. It also includes tougher gameplay for those who are after more of a challenge. Key features are as follows:

  • Updated Roster (Trades & Signings of 2020-2021 NBA ROSTER)
  • Updated Accessories (NIKE Sleeves/Socks/Headband, & STAY STRONG. Rubberband)
  • Updated Players Vitals, Jersey No., Ratings, & Accessories (All Players from Joel Embiid to Russell Westbrook are updated and wearing NIKE Accessories) *Ratings are based on 2K21*
  • Updated Portraits (All Current, Rookies, & Celebrities have new portraits)
  • Fixed 2K’s Random Name Changing (You can now edit the roster in anything you want without having trouble on random name changing!)
  • HOF Bot Gameplay (Harder Gameplay, Bots are stronger, also have game flow IQ)
  • Updated Shoes Colorways (KOBE 1, 4, & 5 Protro x UNDFTD, ZOOM FREAK 2, D.O.N Issue #1 and #3, PG4, Air Zoom BB NXT and Jordan 1, 3, 4, 6, & 11 Exclusive

You can pick up the latest version of NBA 2K17 PROJ-ReBorn here. For more information and previews of current and future versions of the mod, check out the release and support topic here in the Forum.

Wayback Wednesday: Rookie Retro Jerseys in NBA Live 10

Wayback Wednesday: Rookie Retro Jerseys in NBA Live 10

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 sharing some screenshots of various players in NBA Live 10, sporting retro jerseys from their rookie seasons.

Among the many appealing features of NBA Live 10 was the reintroduction of retro jerseys. Every team had a home and away throwback from a significant era in their history (or a popular design as the case may be). It was a welcome sight after the jump to the seventh generation resulted in a loss of retro content, from jerseys to Legends teams. If you’re playing a season or franchise game, or even just an exhibition, it’s fun to be able to choose from a selection of uniforms past and present. To that end, NBA 2K currently does a great job in presenting a selection of retro jerseys.

NBA Live 10 has been my retro gaming jam as of late, and while browsing the game’s rosters, I had a fun idea. Although they were nearing the end of their career, a number of players from the 90s were still active as of NBA Live 10. Glancing at the selection of retro jerseys in the game, there are many that were sported by well-known 90s players in their rookie seasons. Almost all of those players had moved on to another team by the 2010 season, but I thought it’d be fun to place them back on their rookie teams, and outfit them in the relevant throwbacks. Let’s take a look back…way back…

Read More »

U R Basketball 2K13 & 2K14 V85 Released

U R Basketball V85

Following on from the trade deadline update, V85 of U R Basketball by skoadam and slimm44 is now available! The latest release includes final 2021 season rosters, and various team and player art updates. A breakdown of what’s new in V85 for both games is as follows:

  • Newest 2021EOS (end of the season) Roster
  • New signings
  • Updated rotations/minutes
  • 19 new arenas  (more space for crowd) by Zk3O
  • All traded players have new portraits

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, updates for retro shoes, Draft Classes, and other enhancements are also still in the pipline. Stay tuned to skoadam’s topics for further information and previews of all future releases.

Monday Tip-Off: Why I Love Basketball & Basketball Gaming

Monday Tip-Off: Why I Love Basketball & Basketball Gaming

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 a celebration of my love of basketball and basketball gaming.

It’s important to be critical, even about the hobbies and interests that we love. We don’t need to pretend to enjoy something that isn’t to our tastes. As consumers, it doesn’t benefit us to keep quiet when there are problems, or we aren’t getting value for money. New isn’t always better, just as nostalgia can make us overlook issues of the past. There are plenty of valid reasons to speak out, or express a negative opinion. Of course, it isn’t healthy to be constantly mired in negativity, and it’s all too easy to forget that it’s OK to enjoy and celebrate our passions.

I am critical of certain aspects of basketball gaming, even though I love the hobby. I’ve got forthcoming articles where I examine problems and consider solutions, but today, I want to talk about why I love basketball, and video games based on it. The reason I’m taking time to do this is that last week, I encountered a miserable, mean-spirited article about film that was pure bait for rage clicks. It was snobby and snarky, essentially bashing a popular old film under the guise of “I’m smart enough to see that it sucks“. I never want to be that kind of sad sack in my basketball gaming coverage, so today I’m talking about why I love the sport of basketball, both real and virtual.

Read More »

NLSC Podcast #376: Showtime on the Virtual Hardwood

NLSC Podcast Logo

Episode #376 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.

An idea for an NBA Live 10 game over Parsec resulted in an epic clash that produced some memorable highlights for us both. On that note, the return of the NLSC Top 10 Plays of the Week has us thinking about what makes good basketball video game highlights. We discuss how unique scenarios, rare animations, and context add importance, emotion, and just plain “oomph” to plays on the virtual hardwood. We’re also sorry that NBA Live 10’s Fantasy Teams mode is a thing of the past. In this week’s mailbag, we’re talking about RetroArch, and the possibility of special editions of NBA Live or NBA 2K that utilise old school aesthetics.

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: May 22nd, 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!

The NLSC Top 10 Plays of the Week is back after a lengthy hiatus! This week’s countdown is a little belated, but it will be coming out on Saturdays moving forward. We’ve got some fun highlights in the return episode, from recent titles and some beloved classics alike. From big dunks to buzzer beaters and everything in between, there’s a little bit of everything this week. Some great mods are also on display. Catch the countdown below, or watch it here over on our YouTube channel.

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.

NBA 2K21 Patch 1.11: New Likenesses, 2K Beach

NBA 2K21 Patch 1.11

Patch 1.11 is now available for the Current Gen version of NBA 2K21. As always, it should come through automatically as long as your PC, PlayStation 4, or Xbox One is online. If it doesn’t, try restarting your console or Steam client, or check for updates manually.

The patch includes the same player likeness updates from the recently released Next Gen patch, as well as new WNBA uniforms. It also adds new Summer decorations to 2K Beach in MyCAREER, and prepares the mode for upcoming events. Although it isn’t mentioned in the notes, the PC version now supports crossplay between the Steam and Epic Games platforms.

There isn’t much more detail to the full patch notes, but you can check them out below, as well as a complete update history for NBA 2K21 Current Gen here in our Wiki. Feel free to share any thoughts in the comments, as well as join in the discussion here in the NLSC Forum. Additionally, NBA 2K21 PC is currently free to claim on Epic Games until May 27th. Pick it up here if you don’t already have it in your collection.

Read More »

The Friday Five: 5 Jerseys Appearing in Games Once

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 jerseys appearing only once in basketball video games.

We’re accustomed to seeing a wide variety of jerseys in the 5v5 sim titles. Ever since the introduction of retro uniforms and the jersey selection screen, we expect to have plenty of choices to outfit the team we’re controlling on the virtual hardwood. The variety has fluctuated throughout the years, and recently, NBA Live and NBA 2K have taken very different approaches. NBA Live only includes the selection of current jerseys and specific throwbacks that will be worn during a season, whereas NBA 2K – in part thanks to its bevy of retro content – features a more comprehensive selection.

Of course, there are some jerseys that you won’t find among the retro uniforms in the recent NBA 2K titles. A few teams have gaps in their selection of historical primary uniforms, but there are also some alternate and special jerseys that can’t be found. This isn’t necessarily surprising though, especially when some of those jerseys have only ever appeared in games once over the years. Indeed, to the best of my research, the jerseys I’m listing here have only ever appeared in one game. Note that I’m talking about official appearances, which excludes mods and unused files. With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the rarest uniforms on the virtual hardwood!

Read More »

File Additions for NBA 2K17

NBA 2K17 Cover Art

Our own Dee4Three has recently released some more converted player faces. Find them all in today’s file additions for NBA 2K17, available at the links below!

Dee4Three
Dean Wade Face for 2K17 Converted from 2K21
Vlatko Cancar Face for 2K17 Converted from 2K21
Ryan Broekhoff Face for 2K17 Converted from 2K21

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: CPU Assistance in Old Games

Wayback Wednesday: CPU Assistance in Old 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 the CPU Assistance setting found in several old basketball games.

When we look back at old basketball games, it jogs our memories in so many ways. There are the graphical and gameplay improvements that have come with evolving technology. There are the soundtracks which capture the zeitgeist of the time a game was released, whether they’re made up of original music or popular licensed songs. As I’ve discussed on many occasions, there’s the “interactive almanac” aspect of the sim games in particular, capturing a snapshot of what the league was like back then. And of course, there’s the depth, scope, and variety of the modes.

Beyond the depth and quality of modes and features though, what we find in an old basketball title is indicative of what was necessary and/or expected at the time. For example, the original approach to custom teams in the early NBA Live games was fun for the time, but seems downright quaint compared to the concept of Ultimate Team and MyTEAM. An option like Slow Motion Dunks also no longer seems necessary. In that vein, a once-common setting that we no longer see is CPU Assistance (or Computer Assist, as NBA Live originally labelled it). It’s no longer deemed to be a necessity, but it used to be quite important. Let’s take a look back…way back…

Read More »

File Additions for NBA 2K20

NBA 2K20 Cover Art

Today’s file additions for NBA 2K20 feature a fictional jersey for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Download it at the link below!

mastamage
Rogues Fictional Jersey

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: Canned Moments & The Myth of the Skill Gap

Monday Tip-Off: Canned Moments & The Myth of the Skill Gap

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 a discussion of canned moments, and how they play into the myth of the skill gap in NBA 2K.

There’s been a lot of talk in recent years about NBA 2K implementing a “skill gap”. It seems that every year, we get a gameplay blog in which a new or tweaked mechanic is touted as bringing a proper skill gap to the forthcoming game. By and large, this is a promise that games have failed to deliver upon. That’s not to say that the changes aren’t improvements in their own right, or that there isn’t any skill involved in playing NBA 2K. Furthermore, gamers definitely do demonstrate different levels of skill – such as it is – especially in the online arena.

However, it isn’t a true skill gap as such, because the way one wins and loses in NBA 2K doesn’t necessarily come down to skill; or at least, not pure stick skills. There are factors such as meta-gaming in MyCAREER and its connected modes, and pay-for-advantage mechanics in terms of quick MyPLAYER upgrades and pack openings in MyTEAM. I’ve discussed those issues at length before, so I won’t be going into them today. Instead, I want to talk about core mechanics that stand in the way of NBA 2K truly having a skill gap. One of the most pressing issues in that regard, as I’m sure many NBA 2K gamers are all too aware, is the prominence of canned moments.

Read More »

NLSC Podcast #375: The Gold Standard of Retro Hoops Gaming

NLSC Podcast Logo

Episode #375 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 announced lineup for EA Play 2021 doesn’t include NBA Live, which has given life to more speculation and clickbait. We share our thoughts on the situation, and our expectations regarding any surprise announcements. We’ve also been having a lot of fun playing NBA Live 10 over Parsec, and while it makes us wistful at times, it’s also given us a new appreciation for the game. Raja Bell has also become a virtual hardwood legend. In the mailbag this week, we’re talking about the effect that basketball gaming discourse has on opinions and enjoyment, as well as some of the worst cyberfaces throughout 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.