When 2K Sports first announced the ‘Jordan Challenge’ and its inclusion in NBA 2K11, it seemed like a brilliant idea. Getting to relive many of a hall of fame athletes greatest moments, and then to get to play as them, proved to be a perfect addition and helped 2K11 deliver serious sales numbers.
Hoping to recreate that same formula, but on a much larger scale, 2K Sports have announced NBA 2K12’s ‘NBA’s Greatest’ mode, which lets gamers relive 15 of the greatest showdowns in basketball’s history, from the perspective of their marquee player. Among the players and teams developer Visual Concepts is making available are the 1971 Lakers with Jerry West, the 1985 Celtics and Larry Bird, and the 1994 Knicks with Patrick Ewing.
Like with the Jordan Challenge in 2K11, ‘NBA’s Greatest’ will allow players, who beat their vicious rival, to play as that classic team in the game’s standard exhibition mode. This option not only opened up the game’s play time, but made for some interesting matchups. Imagine the likes of Jordan’s Bulls taking on the Big Three – wouldn’t that be a matchup?
See below for the complete list of matchups:
- 1964-65 Boston Celtics (Russell) vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks (Robertson) vs. Lakers
- 1970-71 Lakers (West) vs. Atlanta Hawks
- 1971-72 Lakers (Chamberlain) vs. Knicks
- 1984-1985 Philadelphia 76ers (Erving) vs. Bucks
- 1985-86 Celtics (Bird) vs. Hawks
- 1986-87 Lakers (Kareem) vs. Celtics
- 1988-1989 Detroit Pistons (Thomas) vs. Bulls
- 1990-91 Lakers (Johnson) vs. Portland Trail Blazers
- 1992-1993 Bulls (Jordan) vs. Charlotte Hornets
- 1993-1994 Houston Rockets (Olajuwon) vs. Denver Nuggets
- 1994-1995 Knicks (Ewing) vs. Orlando Magic
- 1995-1996 Bulls (Pippen) vs. Seattle Supersonics
- 1997-1998 Utah Jazz (Stockton) vs. Lakers
- 1997-1998 Jazz (Malone) vs. San Antonio Spurs.
Although not as player-specific as the Jordan Challenge, NBA’s Greatest once again plays on that nostalgia factor for basketball fans, a perfect reason to return to the franchise. It seems like that formula of sports legends is popping up all over the sports game genre as indicated by titles like NHL 12 upping their roster to include some of the game’s greats throughout the years.
Whether that nostalgia will move as many units as Jordan and NBA 2K11 did, is yet to be determined, but with more superstars, the potential is certainly there. And, with the NBA season currently in flux, NBA 2K12 may be your only chance to play out the 2011-2012 season even if it is with a storied team from basketball’s past.
Which classic matchup are you most exciting to play? Do you think that the NBA’s Greatest mode is a better alternative to playing classic moments as another hall of fame athlete like Larry Bird?
NBA 2K12 releases October 4, 2011 on the Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, and PC.
Source: ESPN
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I think this type of approach is a mistake. When I bought NBA 2K11 last year, I bought it because of Jordan, and the Jordan challenges. I eventually got into the rest, but the nostalgic factor was the ultimate reason. I played through Jordan’s career. Brilliant! This year I was excited to play different challenges based on three players, Magic, Bird, and Jordan, and play through their careers (obviously Jordan had to be altered). I am not a big fan of the one and done game type focus. You are going to put Bird on the cover, but I can only play as him once! Disappointment.
I dont care for the 60 and 70′s teams. I dont think many will. This game wont be as exciting as Jordans challenges. Todays youth dont know half the players listed or the great teams they played on. If you cant play with these teams online like last year then i wont care much for it.
It doesn’t bother me so much about having 60′s and 70′s era players. What bothers me is that you are playing them with no context. The Jordan Challenges put on display what made him so great. 2K Sports would have been better served putting a bit more emphasis on a few players and the games that made them great, than one game that really shows nothing. Well, Wilt Chamberlin being the obvious exception to that last statement.
If you want to show rivalry, than focus on ‘Great Series’ in the history of the NBA. Detroit v. Chicago in the 80′s and early 90′s, Boston v. Los Angeles multiple eras, or any other great 7 game series. What is the point of playing one game with one great player? People are interested in history and the build up of it, no one is interested in just a fact with no context.
I was going to buy this game, but now I am on the fence.
As long as MyPlayer is improved (which they are saying it is “next level”) I’ll be all over this. I think the Legends thing is fantastic, I know the history and it will be cool to play thru these games, just a bit disappointed there is no Sir Charles or Reggie. Cant Wait!
I love NBA 2K12 all 34 classic teams. please! Make a DLC for more classic team on nba 2k12 1958 Hawks 1976 Celtics 1975 Bulls, 1988 Mavericks , 1980 Nuggets, 1973 Pistons 1975 Warriors, 1995 Pacers (w/o Miller, 1973) 1975 Clippers/Braves 1954 Lakers 1997 Heat 2003 Nets 1979 Sonics 1966,2001 Sixers 1993 Suns (w/o Barkley, 1976) 1977 Blazers 1964 Kings/Royals 1983 Spurs 1972,1985 Rockets 2001 Raptors 1990 Jazz 1978 Wizards/Bullets and more! I would pay $4.99 a team
DLC add-on for more classic team on NBA 2K12