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Wayback Wednesday: Signature Songs of Classic Games

Wayback Wednesday: Signature Songs of Classic 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 what we might consider the signature songs of some classic games (including a few recent classics).

There are many aspects to our nostalgia for video games, some of which don’t have anything to do with the gameplay itself. Music is a strong nostalgic trigger in general, and when it comes to basketball games, hearing a song from its soundtrack will take you back to all the time you spent with it. This includes both the original tracks that were created for very old games, and licensed music that began appearing in titles around the early 2000s. This is particularly true if a title ended up including a remixed version of the song referencing basketball and gaming.

With that in mind, what are some of the signature songs in the games we’ve loved over the years? Sometimes it’s difficult to pick just one, as certain soundtracks have been full of hits and bangers. Nevertheless, I believe it’s possible to pick one stand out track that you instantly remember when you fire up a game again. Alternatively, you’ll think of the game when you hear the song elsewhere. From the golden oldies to some more recent favourites, let’s take a look back…way back…

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The Friday Five: 5 Things You’re Too Late To Get

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 things in various basketball games that you’re too late to get, if you don’t already have them.

Happy New Year, basketball gamers! Welcome to the start of another year here at the NLSC, and another twelve months of basketball gaming. With another nine months before we see the next NBA 2K game, we can expect to see plenty of content for both the Next Gen and Current Gen versions of NBA 2K21; especially in MyTEAM, as there’s cross-generation progression. Of course, with the new Seasons approach, some rewards are already off the table. If you didn’t level up or finish the challenges by the time the previous Seasons ended, you’re now too late to get those goodies.

That’s not uncommon these days, what with the “games as a service” model that more and more developers are gravitating towards, including Visual Concepts. We’ve seen similar tactics in NBA Live too, albeit mostly with cosmetic items in LIVE Events. Developers are looking to capitalise on FOMO whenever they can, and as much as we may hate to admit it, it’s a highly effective tactic. With that being said, it’s not just new games where we can feel as though we’ve missed out. Certain content, and even full games that were digital-only releases, are now gone forever. These five things are no longer available, so if you want them, then that’s too bad; it’s now far too late.

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File Additions for NBA 2K21

NBA 2K21 Cover Art (Current Gen)

Today’s file additions for NBA 2K21 PC include updated rosters, custom basketballs, an assortment of courts, a new face for John Wall, and two Reshade mods. Download them all at the links below!

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.

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File Additions for NBA 2K21

NBA 2K21 Cover Art (Current Gen)

The latest file additions for NBA 2K21 PC include a new Blacktop court, custom Wilson basketball, and this year’s Fantasy Star trainer. Check them out at the links below!

2KGod x Simonn Lee
New Blacktop Court

Aleczou
NBA 2K21 Fantasy Star [English Version]

A-KING JAMES 23
Wilson Gucci Ball

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: Virtual Hooping With Non-Fans

Monday Tip-Off: Virtual Hooping With Non-Fans

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 thoughts on virtual hooping with and against people who aren’t big fans of basketball.

As our community is obviously made up of people who are big fans of both real and virtual basketball, we don’t really look at hoops gaming from the point of view of people who aren’t into the sport. After all, basketball and sports games in general are – to some extent – aimed at a very specific crowd. Sim titles in particular are intended for the avid fans that are more likely to want a realistic depiction of the sport. That’s not to say they can’t be for everyone – I’m not a fan of gatekeeping – but their focus on authenticity and minute details generally appeals to the more hardcore hoop-heads.

That means despite their success and popularity, basketball games and other sports titles are still somewhat niche. To put it another way, many of us basketball gamers will also play games like Fallout, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, Mario, Zelda, Mass Effect, and so on, but a majority of the gamers who play those titles aren’t necessarily interested in virtual hooping, or fans of real basketball for that matter. If anything, they’re more likely to enjoy an arcade title like NBA Jam as it’s easier to pick up and play, and has a broader appeal. Some non-fans will dabble with the sim titles as well though, and virtual hooping with them is often an interesting experience.

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File Additions for NBA 2K14

NBA 2K14 Cover Art

Pick up the latest faces from Taco2K, jersey updates for the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks by K2K Mods, and Pep’s 4K Wilson concept basketball, in today’s file additions for NBA 2K14 PC!

Taco2K
Devin Booker Face
Chris Paul Face
Luguentz Dort Face
Tony Snell Face

K2K Mods
Philadelphia 76ers Classic Edition Jersey
2021 Atlanta Hawks Jersey Pack

Pep
Wilson NBA Game Ball Concept 4K

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.

File Additions for NBA 2K14

NBA 2K14 Cover Art

In today’s file additions for NBA 2K14, we’ve got a couple of face updates from Taco2K, RED MC TURK scripts by Mackubex, NBA Bubble courts by X, and a new version of Pep’s 4K Spalding ball. Download all of the releases at the links below!

Taco2K
Andrew Wiggins Face
Ky Bowman Face

Mackubex
No Signature Skills TURK Script by Mackubex
Apply RESTART Courts TURK Script by Mackubex

Bliss
NBA Orlando Bubble ‘Black Lives Matter’ Mod

Pepis
4K NBA Spalding Official Game Ball (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.

File Additions for NBA 2K14

NBA 2K14 Cover Art

Today’s file additions for NBA 2K14 PC include the latest retro player faces from IceCr, and two packs of custom basketballs by Pep. Download all of the releases at the links below!

IceCr
Reggie Lewis Face
Eddie Jones Face
Allan Houston Face
Magic Johnson Face
Horace Grant Face

Pep
European 4K Ball pack
North America and Australia 4K Ball Pack

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 Outdated Details in Basketball Games

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 outdated details in basketball games.

It’s difficult for basketball video games not to include a few outdated details at launch. Roster cut-off dates mean that a game’s lineups will be at least slightly out of date by the time we get our hands on it. Obviously all games are eventually outdated as new players enter the league, returning players change teams, and teams introduce new branding. Mind you, it would be a rather short and uninteresting article if I simply said all hoops games have outdated details and left it at that. It would make for a decent April Fools gag, though.

Since April 1st has been and gone this year, and fell on a Wednesday besides, I’ll go ahead and compile a proper list. I will however avoid including any outdated details related to rosters since as I noted they’re inevitable, and often fixed through official updates. I’m also excluding old games that launched with previous season rosters, as well as lockout-affected titles. Instead, I’m focusing on other outdated details that were noteworthy at release, or in some cases, details that quickly became outdated due to events that occurred post-launch. They’re not necessarily game-breaking issues, of course, but they nevertheless stand out as interesting trivia notes.

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Wayback Wednesday: The ABA in Basketball Video Games

Wayback Wednesday: The ABA in Basketball 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 how the ABA has been represented in basketball video games.

Despite its influence on the NBA and the sport in general, the American Basketball Association doesn’t have a lot of representation on the virtual hardwood. It makes sense as the National Basketball Association became the dominant “brand” when it exploded in global popularity in the 80s and 90s, by which point the ABA had long been absorbed in the 1976 merger. Although it’s not exactly forgotten, its history is somewhat glossed over in favour of celebrating the NBA’s heritage. Of course, that’s not altogether surprising; as the old saying goes, history is written by the winners.

Still, given that the NBA does pay homage to the ABA and adopted some of its ideas including the three-point line (though Abe Saperstein’s American Basketball League did it first), it’s strange that it doesn’t have much of a presence in video games. The ABA had been gone for around two decades when I was getting into basketball and basketball video games, but I recognise its importance and would love to see it celebrated in gaming as well. What have we seen so far? Let’s take a look back…way back…

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File Additions for NBA 2K20

NBA 2K20 Cover Art

Today’s file additions for NBA 2K20 include a retro ABA jersey, uniform updates for the Lakers, Mavericks, and Clippers, and a French League basketball. Download them all at the links below!

bctrackboi11
ABA Retro New Orleans Buccaneers Home Uniform

Warriors64
Jeep Elite Ball (Season 2019-2020) French Basketball League

pinoy21
Los Angeles Lakers Jersey (pinoy21) (Updated to v2.0)
Dallas Mavericks Jersey (pinoy21) (Updated to v2.5)
Los Angeles Clippers Jersey (pinoy21) (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.

File Additions for NBA 2K20

NBA 2K20 Cover Art

Tip off a new week with the latest file additions for NBA 2K20 PC! Today’s new and updated releases include face, shoe, and crowd updates, as well as a Street mod. Check them all out at the links below!

CujoMatty
Chris Boucher Hair Update
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Hair Update
Toronto Raptors 3 Court Pack

WUSUI
Kevin Durant by WUSUI

TwisT
Crowd Update – All in One

TGsoGood
2K Street – Files

sitew33
Resized Shoes

eirik
Fictional NBA Ball (Updated to v2.0)

Shuajota
Luka Doncic 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.

File Additions for NBA 2K20

NBA 2K20 Cover Art

Today’s file additions for NBA 2K20 PC include a little bit of everything, from shoe updates to a face conversion tool. Check them all out at the links below!

WUSUI
Carmelo Anthony by WUSUI

seanbarkley
[seanbarkley] KICKSOLOGY 2K20

eirik
Fictional NBA Ball

Manni Live
Dallas Mavericks American Airlines Arena

Trevor Poirier
NBA 2K20 CF Converter

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.

File Additions for NBA 2K20

NBA 2K20 Cover Art

The latest file additions for NBA 2K20 PC include updated jerseys, scoreboards, and game balls, as well as a new modding tool. Check them all out at the links below!

pinoy21
Golden State Warriors 2020 City Edition Jersey (pinoy21)
Portland Trail Blazers Jersey (pinoy21)
Indiana Pacers Jersey (pinoy21)
Brooklyn Nets 2018 City Edition Jersey (pinoy21)
New Orleans Pelicans Jersey (pinoy21)
Los Angeles Lakers Jersey (pinoy21)

SITH
Spalding Official NBA Game Ball HD [SITH]
Spalding Official WNBA Game Ball HD [SITH]

trevorjpt33
Auto-Shrinkwrap 2K20

sticky-fingers
1998 TNT Scoreboard

Issy
Chicago Bulls Jersey
San Antonio Spurs Jersey

CujoMatty
Raptors on TSN Scoreboard, Watermark & Transition (Updated to v3.0)
Rogers Sportsnet Scoreboard, Wipe & Transition (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.

File Additions for NBA 2K20

NBA 2K20 Cover Art

Modding for NBA 2K20 PC is picking up, as you can see from today’s file additions. Check out scoreboards, courts, jerseys, and more at the links below!

CujoMatty
Rogers Sportsnet Scoreboard, Wipe & Transition
Raptors on TSN Scoreboard, Watermark & Transition

Manni Live
Boston Celtics TD Garden
Los Angeles Clippers Staples Center

Ayston
Practice Jerseys Pack

MauMau78
SFX Mod
Net Physics

pinoy21
Philadelphia 76ers Jersey (pinoy21)
Golden State Warriors Jersey (pinoy21)

TwisT
WNBA Game Ball

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.