Preview -- The 2008 NBA Rundown
- June 18, 2007 00:00 AM PST
So many NBA games, so little time. Let us help you choose which game to sink your precious cash into!
EA is an unquestionably dominating force in sports games. Its brands are universally recognized, even by gamers who tend to shy away from licensed fare. Its football franchises in particular have crushed the competition, thanks in no small part to that well-known contract with the NFL. But despite its success between the endzones, Electronic Arts has had to face crippling adversity on the basketball court. Take Two's NBA 2K series has always been one step ahead of them.
And then there's SCE San Diego, developers of NBA '06 and '07, whose in-house work on the PlayStation-exclusive franchise has given them a leg up on PS3 competition. The SCE San Diego team is doing things with Sony's powerhouse that EA and 2K aren't even considering. When it comes time to judge the success of the three companies' coming releases, NBA '08's integrated use of the Sixaxis might just tip the scales in Sony's favor.
The Control Freak - NBA '08
Sony's newest dribble-fest is an exercise in self-improvement. Everything in the game is getting a new coat of paint, from the polished floor beneath the players' feet to the basketballs in their hands. Crowds have become denser and more animated, and the ball's physics system has been completely reworked. Over 2,000 animations now drive the players, including a slew of new transitions to help smooth out jerky motion. Some familiar features are even returning with subtle improvements: The multiplayer auto-matches and leaderboards have been upgraded, and the franchise's unique minigames are going online.
NBA '08
When all is said and done, though, NBA '08's competitiveness will probably be tied to its revamped controls. SCE San Diego isn't just adding Sixaxis movement to its input list; the team is fully incorporating the PS3's motion sensor. By shifting the Sixaxis to either side, for instance, you'll be able to rotate the ball back and forth in preparation for more accurate passes, which, in turn, can be changed from bounces to direct throws to arcing lobs by moving the controller appropriately. If you're playing defense, you'll be able to "go high" or "go wide" by pulling the Sixaxis back or pushing it forward, adapting your stance to the motions of the ball carrier.
