Menu

New Modding Resource: DDS Plugin (64 & 32 Bit)

Bassman58 has uploaded a new modding resource to our Downloads database, namely a DDS Plugin that will work with both 64-bit and 32-bit systems. Check it out at the link below!

Adobe
DDS Plugin 64/32 bit

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: Kidz Sports Basketball

Wayback Wednesday: Kidz Sports Basketball

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 Kidz Sports Basketball, specifically the PlayStation 2 version.

There have been a lot of basketball games released over the years, with many of them flying under the radar. We all know NBA Live and NBA 2K, and older basketball gamers may recall other NBA licensed series such as Inside Drive, ShootOut, and In the Zone. Arcade games such as NBA Jam and NBA Street are familiar classics, and in recent years, NBA Playgrounds has gained traction. We remember the College Hoops and March Madness/NCAA Basketball games, EA’s NBA Playoffs series, Double Dribble, and a variety of other hoops titles of varying age and quality.

And then, there’s a title like Kidz Sports Basketball. Released in 2004, it’s not a game that would attract much attention in our community, as we’re not in the demographic. It’s meant for a much younger audience that isn’t quite ready for other hoops games, especially the sim titles. It’s one of those games that you might discover on Wikipedia – or indeed, in our Wiki – and wonder just what it was all about. I snagged a copy of the PS2 version cheap on eBay, so let’s take a look back…way back…

Read More »

NBA 2K21 Next Gen Patch 1.03 Now Available

NBA 2K21 Next Gen Patch 1.03

Patch 1.03 for NBA 2K21 Next Gen is now available, and it’s considerably larger than the last update for Current Gen! As with other official patches, it should come through automatically as long as your PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S is online. If it doesn’t, try restarting your console, or checking for updates manually.

On top of updates to courts, jerseys, and player likenesses, Patch 1.03 for NBA 2K21 Next Gen includes several fixes and gameplay tweaks. Charge and block animations have been tightened up to minimise sliding, and CPU defenders now recognise the direction of a flipped screen. Green Release windows are now smaller on heavily contested shots, and an exploit with double teams has been fixed.

An assortment of bugs have also been resolved in MyNBA and other modes. The City has been updated with a holiday theme, which includes new jerseys in The Rec. Check out all of the patch notes below, as well as here in our Wiki. Feel free to share any thoughts in the comments, and join in the discussion here in the Forum.

Read More »

File Additions for NBA 2K20

NBA 2K20 Cover Art

The latest file additions for NBA 2K20 PC include retro courts, and a handful of converted face updates. Check out all of today’s NBA 2K20 file additions 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.

Read More »

Monday Tip-Off: The Rec Is Garbage, But Who’s To Blame?

Monday Tip-Off: The Rec Is Garbage, But Who's To Blame?

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 who’s to blame for The Rec being utter garbage in NBA 2K21, and how – or if – the problems can be fixed.

I have to blunt: The Rec is absolutely woeful this year. Walk-On play has always been a hit-and-miss alternative to team Pro-Am, owing to the all the issues that arise when you play with randoms. It’s been particularly toxic and unenjoyable in NBA 2K21, though. Admittedly, I can only speak to my experiences playing on the Australasian server, and I’ve yet to create a MyPLAYER on Next Gen and jump online. The scene may be a lot better on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, at least in North America. It’d be a low bar to clear, as the mode seems to have hit rock bottom.

While the issues are familiar, the continued decline of The Rec – and it’s felt like it’s grown even worse since NBA 2K21 Current Gen’s launch – raises a few questions. The two most pertinent are “who’s to blame”, and “how can it be fixed”. As you might imagine, the first issue has a significant impact on the second. The answer is quite complicated, and that naturally means the solution isn’t easy either. Still, I’ve been thinking about this a lot in recent weeks. While I am taking a moment to grumble here, I want to turn that into something constructive. If we as a community can identify these issues and suggest solutions, perhaps we can help improve the scene.

Read More »

NLSC Podcast #353: Online Gaming Isn’t Everything

NLSC Podcast Logo

Episode #353 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Derek (aka Dee4Three) and I are your hosts for this week’s show.

With the quality of play in The Rec hitting rock bottom, one of us has made a very healthy decision to walk away from the online scene. On that note, leaked internal documents from Sony suggest that online gaming hasn’t destroyed the single player or local multiplayer experience. This is certainly good news for modes such as MyNBA, and the single player portions of MyCAREER and MyTEAM. Recent events also prompt us to discuss proper etiquette for modders and content creators alike. Our featured discussion this week is all about further NBA 2K21 Next Gen impressions, as we break down our three favourite and three least favourite aspects of the game. In this week’s mailbag, we talk about wishlists for this generation, and memories of basketball gaming in the holiday season.

What’s your take on this week’s conversation? Sound off in the comments section below, or join in the discussion 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 episodes. 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.

NBA Street Vol. 2 Current & Legendary Edition Mod V2.3.1

NBA Street Vol. 2 Legendary Edition Mod

Further updates have been made to the (now-renamed) Current & Legendary Edition mod for NBA Street Vol. 2, created by agent_michael_scarn. As the name change implies, the mod has been updated for the forthcoming 2021 season. Key features of V2.3.1 are as follows:

  • Updated Rosters and Jerseys including Lakers, Pistons, Clippers, Raptors, Heat, Bulls, Magic, Spurs, Trailblazers and Wizards
  • Fixed James Wiseman Height
  • Fixed Donovan Mitchell Jersey (Home/Away swapped)
  • Fixed LaMelo Ball/Brandon Ingram Jersey Swap
  • Updated LaMelo Ball Jersey to avoid confusion with Larry Johnson jersey (same jersey/number)

You can pick up NBA Street Vol. 2 Current & Legendary Edition here in our Downloads database! For more information on how to install it, as well as previews, further support, or if you just want to say thanks, check out this topic in the Forum.

File Additions for NBA 2K14

NBA 2K14 Cover Art

Taco2k is back with new face updates, available to download in today’s File Additions for NBA 2K14 PC. Pick them up at the links below!

Taco2k
Abdel Nader Face
Patrick Williams Face
Johnny Juzang Face
Rodney Hood Face
Nassir Little Face
Zeke Nnaji Face
Dylan Windler Face
Elfrid Payton 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.

The Friday Five: 5 Worst Daily Spin Prizes

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 the five worst prizes that you can get on the Daily Spin in MyCAREER.

We’ve taken a look at the best, so now it’s time to check out the worst! Last week, I listed my picks for the best Daily Spin prizes; the most desirable freebies that the wheel had to offer. This week, it’s all about the prizes that feel like a slap in the face. You’d almost rather win nothing than see the wheel land on these prizes, and when your player pumps their fist at seeing the result, it’s like it’s rubbing it in. Sure, free is free and we shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, but in our disappointment, it’s difficult to even call these “prizes”.

Once again, these are my personal picks, and at least a couple of them are subjective. The usefulness of certain prizes does depend on your choice of modes, and what’s useful to one gamer may be utterly useless to another. There’s certainly room for discussion and disagreement, just as there was when it came to the best prizes to get on the Daily Spin. However, based on my experiences and habits in MyCAREER, as well as taking into account how appropriate certain prizes are for different gamers, these are my picks. By all means feel free to disagree and suggest your own picks in the comments. With that being said, here are the worst Daily Spin prizes, in my view.

Read More »

File Additions for NBA 2K21

NBA 2K21 Cover Art (Current Gen)

Today’s new file additions for the NBA 2K21 PC feature the latest face updates from Shuajota. Download them at the links below!

Shuajota
Domantas Sabonis Face
LiAngelo Ball 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.

Wayback Wednesday: NBA 2K14 on PlayStation 5

Wayback Wednesday: NBA 2K14 on PlayStation 5

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 revisiting NBA 2K14 for PlayStation 4, on my PlayStation 5.

Ahead of the new generation of consoles launching and the release of NBA 2K21 Next Gen, I posted a retrospective of NBA 2K14; the launch title for the previous generation. Normally I wouldn’t revisit a game so soon – especially after writing what was intended to be an in-depth retrospective – but the idea of testing out the PS5’s backwards compatibility with a PS4 launch title is too tempting to pass up. There’s something poetic about it, on top of the usual appeal of firing up old releases on new tech; a certain novelty in addition to the curiosity.

Obviously, the PlayStation 5 isn’t going to enhance the gameplay of NBA 2K14. It won’t address bugs or AI quirks, and it’s not going to add the depth and features that were sorely missed. Nevertheless, I’m interested to see how the game performs on the new console, as well as run a general compatibility test for the PS5. I’ve got the console, I’ve got the game, so let’s combine them to take a look back…way back…

Read More »

NBL 2K20 Mod Released for NBA 2K20 PC

NBL 2K20 Mod Released

You may recall that back in August, MonkeyManJSV and his team released a demo of the NBL 2K20 mod. The project has since been completed, and is now available to download for NBA 2K20 PC! Please note that it cannot be used with the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One versions of the game.

For the uninitiated, the mod is a total conversion that adds complete rosters for Australia’s National Basketball League to NBA 2K20. It features comprehensive art updates including player faces, jerseys, logos, and courts. As such, it’s highly recommended that you back up your files before installing the mod, so that you can easily restore the original artwork if desired.

The roster can be found on 2K Share under the name NBL2K20 by MonkeyManJSV. A pack containing all of the required art files can be found here in the mod’s release topic. For detailed installation instructions, be sure to check out this video. Congratulations to MonkeyManJSV and the entire NBL 2K20 mod team on the release! It’s great to see the NBL represented on the virtual hardwood, and another comprehensive modding project come together.

 

Ultimate Classic Teams Roster V3 Released for NBA 2K17

Ultimate Classic Teams Roster V3

In case you were unaware, NLSC Team Member Dee4Three has recently released V3 of the Ultimate Classic Teams Roster for NBA 2K17 PC. The mod adds 50 new classic teams to the game, while also completing the rosters of the existing historical squads. Please note that the mod is only compatible with the PC version of NBA 2K17.

Dee4Three has gone to painstaking detail to create an authentic retro experience with this project. That includes everything from accurate player tendencies and ratings, to year-specific artwork. The roster includes some unique choices for teams that aim for fun on the virtual hardwood. New squads include an array of champions, contenders, and short-lived teams that never quite lived up to their potential. Decades of NBA history are covered in the roster, beginning with the 1963 Boston Celtics and ending with the 2018 Oklahoma City Thunder.

You can pick up V3 of the Ultimate Classic Teams Roster here in our Downloads database! For additional previews, support, or just to say thanks, check out the release topic here. Congratulations to Dee4Three on the release, and a big thanks to everyone who helped out by contributing art updates to the project! Full credits can be found in the release topic.

File Additions for NBA 2K20

NBA 2K20 Cover Art

Quite a few people have elected to stick with NBA 2K20 PC, as you can see from today’s file additions! The latest file additions for NBA 2K20 include faces by jaychung3013, a 2021 roster by allebanehtammendoza, and retro court updates by Bassman58. Check out all of the new releases 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.

Read More »

Monday Tip-Off: Three Months, Three Skins, No Fixes

Monday Tip-Off: Three Months, Three Skins, No Fixes

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 – let’s be honest here – some griping about how after three months, 2K Beach has received three new skins, but no fixes for a major bug.

I’m sorry everyone, but I’m going to have to go back to being a grumpy old man to tip off this week. I’ve honestly been trying to look on the bright side after some critical pieces in recent weeks, and as I explained in Episode #352 of the NLSC Podcast, I’m actually feeling quite positive about NBA 2K21 Next Gen. I do still have concerns about the Current Gen version though, and since I believe in advocating for my fellow basketball gamers, it’s an issue I feel compelled to bring up again. Besides, sooner or later a similar issue will no doubt affect Next Gen, and 2K’s approach is troubling.

As I discussed in the aforementioned podcast, since NBA 2K21 Current Gen was released, it has received five patches and three skin/presentation updates for this year’s revamped Neighborhood, which goes by the name of 2K Beach. The latest patch was little more than a skin update, but previous patches have been more substantial. As with the previous title updates however, Patch 1.06 failed to fix the issue of the Daily Bonus not awarding the requisite amount of Virtual Currency upon completion. It speaks volumes about the level of care that’s going into the Current Gen version, and underscores a recurring (and shoddy) aspect of 2K’s approach to much-needed fixes.

Read More »