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NBA 2K2 hits the Dreamcast with all-new gameplay enhancements and features, like online console gameplay with up to eight people and updated online functionality allowing gamers to track their stats to see how they rank among others!

Smarter AI -- Improved team rotation, rebounding, and all-around tenacious defense, and a new steal system -- players fill the passing lanes and attempt to steal the ball – were also added. A revamped low post game allows you to exploit the defender with lightning quick drop step moves, back him down for a rim-rattling dunk, or shoot a sweet fadeaway jumper. New street courts let you hoop it up at urban playground courts including Oakland's legendary Mosswood Park, along with updated rosters, arenas, team uniforms, and signature moves for the 2001-2002 season. You can also add new strategy to the game by choosing to play man or zone defense.

All those options don’t even tell the real story of NBA 2K2. It’s more than just an update – it’s a complete re-working of the original with even better game play, more TV style game play representation (like NFL 2K2), and a control and game play system that allows the novice to pick up and play, but has the depth to keep the hardcore b-baller in the game.

Visuals:: The graphics are a big improvement. You actually see close-ups of players faces that look like the real NBA stars. The fluid cross-overs, dribbling, and stealing are all major improvements, as are the new low post game. You actually see players back into the paint and push aside any defenders trying to steal. The dunk animations are the best of any next-gen basketball game, and the stadiums and players all look fantastic. Detail on the uniforms, in the movements, and in the action make this a hard game to beat for quality and style.

The graphics are tempered by a solid sound outing as well. The commentary is funny and precise, focused on the action and nothing else, excitable when players do well, and condescending when they don’t. Although there’s a lot of humor in the broadcasting, there’s also a lot of repetition. Everything else in the game, from the reactive crowd (try pumping the score at the Garden and you’ll hear New York fans get “colorful” about it), to the shouts of encouragement from your bench, to the sneaker-squeaking and rim-rattling of your players is top notch.

Gameplay/Control:: The game really shines in the control arena, especially since last year’s game seemed too easy at times. Driving home to the rim was a given – not this year. You have to work your game under the rim, and almost any half-assed move is going to get slapped back or defended against with ease. You have icon-based passing if you choose, or you can play a tight offense by passing and shooting with caution. On defense, you can steal, bump, and fake out players like never before. What’s more endearing is that people who have never played NBA 2K before can jump right in with a few options changes – it favors the new and the old-school player perfectly.

Overall:: There’s a bittersweet feeling when playing the game – it’s the best next-gen basketball game available, easily beating NBA Live 2002 for the PS2, which is more of a roster upgrade than a revamping of the game. But when you consider that the Dreamcast is going the way of the Dodo bird and torn jeans, you have to wonder why. One thing is certain; Sega is sending the Dreamcast off to pasture with the best basketball available.

Score:: 9.5/10