Tag Archives: NBA 2K21

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 unlockables in basketball video games that shouldn’t have been locked in the first place.

I have a love/hate relationship with unlockables, particularly in basketball and pro wrestling games. The concept is fine on paper, and I definitely prefer it to paid DLC and cosmetic items tied to recurrent revenue mechanics. However, certain games do approach their unlockables better than others. Specifically, I’m not a fan of titles that require too much repetition to unlock content, and some of the WWE games back in the PlayStation 2 era were notably bad in that regard. Ideally, you shouldn’t be sick of a game by the time you’ve unlocked everything of interest.

Basketball games have tended to be fair in their approach to unlockables, but there are examples of content that frankly shouldn’t have been locked in the first place. It may be because they’ve now become impossible to unlock due to requiring a connection to servers that are no longer online. Others feel more like gatekeeping than worthwhile rewards. At the very least, they seem more like pointless busywork, and content that should be readily accessible from the first time you fire up the game. Whatever the case may be, I can think of at least five examples of unlockables that should’ve been handled differently, or not been unlockables to begin with. I’m sure I’m not alone here.

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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 community is clearly into NBA 2K22 Next Gen, as evident from the number of clips in this week’s NLSC Top 10 Plays. Plenty of other old favourites are still being played though, as the countdown also includes great highlights from NBA 2K14 and NBA 2K17, and even NBA Live 09 and NCAA March Madness 06! As I’ve said before, I’m all for the normalisation of retro basketball gaming in addition to playing the latest release, so it’s great to see that Dee4Three and I are not alone in enjoying a variety of hoops titles.

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.

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!

Can you believe we’ve already reached Week 20 of the revived NLSC Top 10 Plays? It seems like only yesterday that the countdown officially returned, following a test episode featuring plays from our NBA Live 10 Parsec sessions. Judging by this week’s submissions, the fun isn’t slowing down on the virtual hardwood, especially as the community clocks up more hours with NBA 2K22! With that being said, it’s not always the newest game that produces the most incredible moments, as you’ll see with this week’s top play.

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.

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.

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.

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:48:41 — 75.0MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

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.

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.

Today’s file additions for NBA 2K20 feature the latest retro courts from Bassman58. Note that these updates are also compatible with NBA 2K21 and NBA 2K22 PC. Download them all at the links below!

Bassman58
Denver Nuggets 2007-08 Pepsi Center
Golden State Warriors 2006-07 Oracle Arena
Phoenix Suns 2002-03 America West Arena
Portland Trail Blazers 2009-10 Rose Garden
San Antonio Spurs 2004-05 AT&T Center
Washington Wizards 2006-07 Verizon Center

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.

Although NBA 2K21 modding will likely slow down somewhat with the release of NBA 2K22, we do have some new file additions for last year’s game. Pick up a face for Mantzoukas Lefteris at the link below!

WANKELL
Mantzoukas Lefteris Face

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.

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 why we defend games, to the point where we downplay issues and even pretend that they don’t exist.

This is a difficult topic to broach without sounding snobby, or as though I’m accusing anyone who likes something that I dislike of being ignorant, easily pleased, or a shill. That line of thinking is just as toxic and unconstructive as fanboyism and shilling, and equally fallacious. We all have different tastes and expectations, as well as thresholds of satisfaction and disappointment. When someone sees fit to defend games that they enjoy, there isn’t necessarily anything pretend about it. Those are their honest feelings about the game, and genuine reasons for their enjoyment.

And yet, there are times that we do pretend when we defend games. We’ve all done it at some point. It doesn’t always mean that we don’t enjoy them, but to a certain extent we’re lying – both to others and to ourselves – about a game’s overall quality (or lack thereof). In the most extreme cases, it is indeed shilling for a title, or at the very least fanboyism polluting the discourse. However, there are innocent and understandable reasons that we attempt to pretend that everything’s fine and defend games; even when there’s no drawback to being critical (or indeed, it would actually benefit us to speak out on the issues). Unfortunately, they make it difficult to curb the habit.

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Episode #392 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.

NBA 2K22 is out, and many people are calling it the best NBA 2K game ever. We’re not so sure about that, but we do have some initial impressions to share, including lists of pros and cons for Current Gen and Next Gen. An issue with the PC release will also hopefully be sorted out ASAP. The addition of Evan Eschmeyer to the 2003 Mavericks prompts us to share some interesting trivia about his career, and its impact on the virtual hardwood. Elsewhere, the NBA Live 10 Tournament rolls on with some exciting games, and NBA 2K14 continues to be a captivating retro kick. In this week’s mailbag, we’re reflecting on some memorable basketball video game launches, and titles that impressed us from Day One.

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:50:48 — 76.4MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

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.

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!

You know, while there are many incredible plays that can be performed on the hardwood – real or virtual – it’s tough to go past a dazzling dunk. This week’s NLSC Top 10 Plays features an array of amazing and acrobatic aerial assaults, in a variety of titles from NBA Live 10 right up to the newly released NBA 2K22. I’m sure you’ll agree that this week’s countdown stands as further proof that throwing it down never gets old, no matter the game or who you’re controlling on the sticks.

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.

Today’s file additions for NBA 2K20 PC feature the latest retro courts by Bassman58, which are also compatible with NBA 2K21. Pick them all up at the links below!

Bassman58
Cleveland Cavaliers 2006-07 Quicken Loans Arena
Dallas Mavericks 2002-03 American Airlines Center
New Jersey Nets 2001-02 Continental Airlines Arena
Detroit Pistons 2003-04 Palace at Auburn Hills
Miami Heat 2012-13 American Airlines Arena
Phoenix Suns 2004-05 America West Arena
New York Knicks 1998-99 Madison Square Garden

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.

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 few thoughts on how my basketball gaming habits are more vanilla than they used to be.

Over the years, there are two initiatives within our community that have gone a long way in improving the basketball gaming experience after a title is released: modding, and slider tweaks. Mods have added missing content, created new experiences such as retro, college, and foreign league rosters, and attempted to fix issues with the games wherever possible. When it comes to refining the gameplay, devising the right slider adjustments has made a huge difference for many gamers. In short, few would say that playing the game as-is – vanilla basketball gaming, if you will – is optimal.

During my time as a content creator in the basketball gaming community, I’ve created roster mods, and I’ve devised sets of slider tweaks. I’ve also installed other people’s mods, and tried out their sliders. However, I have to admit that my basketball gaming habits have changed over the past decade or so, to the point where you might say that I’m playing a vanilla game. This isn’t because I don’t appreciate the hard work of our modding community, nor is it because I believe that games can’t be improved upon with slider tweaks. Rather, a combination of my preferred modes, primary platform, and even my content creation habits, have led to more vanilla basketball gaming.

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Episode #391 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 NLSC NBA Live 10 Tournament has tipped off, and it’s been a blast so far! It seems we’ve also found the chief cause of input lag: location, location, location. Nevertheless, our Road Trip continues in NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, and a recent session produced an exciting moment indeed. Parsec has also allowed the community to connect and play with some fantastic retro season mods for NBA 2K10 and NBA 2K11 PC, which don’t get enough attention. We also address a couple of concerning issues in the modding community. The latest NBA 2K22 developer blogs cover gameplay and MyTEAM, and we’re a little more positive about how the latter is shaping up. Finally, could we see some mods for Basketball Classics in the future?

Download or play on your mobile device/tablet: CLICK HERE (Running time: 1:51:57 — 77.2MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

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.

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 features players in a spin, shards of broken backboard, fancy handles, and more than a couple of breathtaking poster dunks! For the second time in the countdown, ten different basketball video games are represented, including a couple of older titles that arguably deserve more love. Some of them will be profiled in Wayback Wednesday in the not too distant future, but for now, enjoy this assortment of entertaining plays from the community!

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.