Video games and basketball go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly. There is no better feeling than beating your friends on 2K and as the games themselves have evolved the feeling has only gotten sweeter. You can play online or against the CPU in your road to the NBA Finals. NBA Finals odds currently have Boston Celtics as this years favorites but you could rewrite history on 2K. We have come a long way from the 8-Bit displays and music of old and whilst the nostalgia of it all makes it great to return to, there is no doubt that the quality pales in comparison to the games of today. There has been plenty of legendary titles throughout the basketball gaming annals such as: One on One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird, GBA Championship Basketball: Two-on-Two, NBA Live 2005 and Backyard Basketball. But which are the best basketball games for the PC? Let’s take a look.
NBA 2K23
NBA 2K23 has been one of 2K’s best releases in recent years. It has some of the strongest metacritic reviews since the 2018 release and the new features and improved gameplay are clear indicators as to why. The ‘Jordan Challenge’ was a welcomed return after last being seen in 2K11, a release that is beloved by fans. The Jordan Challenge consists of 15 unique game experiences beginning from Jordan’s humble beginnings at the University of North Carolina all the way up to his last ever shot with the Chicago Bulls. MyNBA also welcomed some great updates, including the option to start your career in the 1983–84, 1991–92, or 2002–03 NBA seasons. This release did 2K justice and elevated the franchise once again.
Draft Day Sports: College Basketball 2023
Unlike most all other basketball video games, Draft Day Sports is not an out-and-out sports simulator a la NBA 2K. Instead, it is a strategy-based game wherein you can become the head coach of your favorite college basketball team, similar to Sports Interactive’s ‘Football Manager’ series. You can take charge of everything from recruitment and training to staff hiring and scouting. It is a game which requires much more of a nuanced understanding of the sport itself, but this is what makes it so rewarding. You can even make sure your players are maintaining their grades to remain eligible. You can really take full control of the team from the ground up unlike any other basketball game on your road to the NCAA finals.
NBA 2K Playgrounds
A spin-off of the famous NBA 2K series, this arcade style basketball game revolves around 2v2 matches as if you were playing a pickup game on the playground. NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 can be played in single-player and in multiplayer, locally and online. The roster includes both active and former NBA stars and the game’s Tournament Mode is one of the most popular. In this game mode, players play four games with challenges with each iteration. The style of this game bares some similarities with NBA Jam, one of the most beloved basketball arcade games of all time.
Basketball Classics
Basketball Classics is exactly what it sounds like— a classic style basketball simulator. Complete with 8-Bit graphics, this throwback is a great hit of nostalgia, and the gameplay is similar to that which you would have found on the Sega Mega Drive or SNES. With a simplified three-button style gameplay, this pick up and play arcade game is straightforward but tons of fun. A 5-on-five style basketball game born from the golden era of 8-Bit gaming, you can get lost in the nostalgia of it all.
International Basketball Manager 23
This style of game is very similar to the aforementioned ‘Draft Day Sports…’ in that instead of a simulator game in which you play as the rostered stars, you are leading a team as a coach. The difference with this release is that instead of taking charge of a college ball team you are able to lead teams from the Europe. Fully licensed with teams and rosters from FEB, LNB and HEBA as well as Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the 7Days EuroCup, you can lead some of the biggest players in the continent.
Basketball video games have long attracted the ire of sports fans and with plenty to choose from it is clear to see why. The lure of being able to take to the court as some of the biggest players and personalities in the history of the sport is enough to make games like NBA 2K among the biggest releases in the USA year upon year. With graphics cards and processing speeds constantly improving PC gaming is becoming more popular each year and basketball games are some of the releases best played on them.
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