| ESPN NBA 2K5 | |
|---|---|
 PlayStation 2 cover art featuring Ben Wallace | |
| Developer(s) | Visual Concepts |
| Publisher(s) | Sega Global Star Software (PAL) |
| Series | NBA 2K |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2, Xbox |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
ESPN NBA 2K5 is a 2004 basketball simulation video game developed by Visual Concepts and co-published by Sega and Global Star Software. It was released in September 2004 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox in North America, and February 2005 in Europe. The sixth installment in the NBA 2K series, it is the successor to ESPN NBA Basketball, and the predecessor to NBA 2K6. Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons is the cover athlete; this marks the first time in the series that a player other than Allen Iverson was featured as a cover athlete. It is the last NBA 2K game to be released by Sega before the company sold Visual Concepts to Take-Two Interactive, forming 2K Sports. It is also the third and last game to feature the ESPN branding on its front cover (the ESPN branding would be dropped, making later releases once again known as simply "NBA 2Kx" and later "NBA 2Kxx".).
The game strives to realistically depict the experience of basketball, in the National Basketball Association. Players mainly play NBA basketball games in a variety of game modes with real players and teams as well as customizable players. A mode focusing on street basketball is present, as is a mode where the player simulates through a team's NBA season. The game features several aesthetical details, such as crowd animations, camera angles, and commentary.
ESPN NBA 2K5 received positive reviews from critics upon release. The visuals and gameplay were widely acclaimed, while the 24/7 and Association game modes received a mixed response. The low price of the game was also well received.
- ^ van Leuveren, Luke (December 5, 2004). "Updated Australian Release List - 05/12/2004". PALGN. PAL Gaming Network. Archived from the original on September 10, 2006. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ Robinson, Jon (September 22, 2004). "NBA Live Shipping Early". IGN. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ van Leuveren, Luke (January 17, 2005). "Updated Australian Release List - [year mislabeled "January 17, 2004"]". PALGN. PAL Gaming Network. Archived from the original on September 10, 2006. Retrieved June 29, 2023.