| ESPN NBA Basketball | |
|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:ESPN_NBA_Basketball_cover_art.jpg) Xbox cover art featuring Allen Iverson | |
| Developer(s) | Visual Concepts |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Series | NBA 2K |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2, Xbox |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
ESPN NBA Basketball (alternatively known as NBA 2K4, and sometimes mislabeled as ESPN NBA Basketball 2K4[1]) is a 2003 basketball simulation video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by Sega. It is the fifth installment in the NBA 2K franchise and the successor to NBA 2K3. It was released in 2003 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Allen Iverson is the cover athlete of the game (and is his last cover). ESPN NBA Basketball is the predecessor to ESPN NBA 2K5 in the NBA 2K series. It is the penultimate NBA 2K game before being sold by Sega company to form 2K Sports. It is also the first game to feature the ESPN logo full-time and the only game not to feature "2K" in its title, but instead featured "2K4" on the cover art.
ESPN NBA Basketball simulates the experience of the National Basketball Association, as well as basketball in general, and features a mix of realistic NBA games, and arcade style play. Players play NBA basketball games with real teams, as well as playing street basketball with customizable players. NBA games feature commentary, pregame shows, and other affects. Several improvements to the game were made; new dribbling, dunking, shooting, and passing systems are introduced, while the visuals and sound were also improved. A hip hop focused soundtrack is present. The game features several game modes, such as 24/7, a mode where the player creates their own basketball player and takes on NBA stars, and online multiplayer, which is a first for the series.
ESPN NBA Basketball received a positive reception upon release, with some critics calling it the best basketball game available for the Xbox and PlayStation 2. Positive comments were mostly concerning the game's wealth of content, visuals, and overall gameplay.