NBA 2k10 is more realistic than NBA Live 10 and way better than the NBA 2k10 demo!

User Rating: 9.5 | NBA 2K10 X360
I have played the 2k series ever since NBA 2k. I played college basketball so all I care about is how realistic the game is and NBA 2k has always been on top. I have been a little disappointed the past two years with the series so I was hoping for more this year and was curious to see what EA would do. I have to admit, I liked the NBA Live 10 demo more and was frustrated with the NBA 2k10 demo.


I was debating between which game to buy but I ended up buying 2k10. When I picked it up I was excited to play it but I read some reviews first about it just in case I changed my mind (I almost just bought both). Some things from the reviews said that the frame rate drops during gameplay and also that you couldn't do momentum shots (which is something I liked in the NBA Live 10 demo).

Well I gave 2k10 a chance and I'm sure glad I did. It is an amazing game.

Gameplay: I have always felt that NBA 2k games showed the players a little on the slow side and maybe this is why I didn't like the demo. I have my gameplay speed turned up to 58 right now and it makes the game run so much smoother and better looking in my opinion. It feels more realistic to what I see when I play in real life. The momentum shots are in the game you just have to figure out how to use the shot stick to make them happen. Go into the practice mode and you will be able figure them out (I never really liked the shot stick but it's working for me this year). The AI is much better this year because your teammates are on the move more and the computer can capitalize on mistakes that you make on defense. I think that was missing in past 2k games. The gameplay feels much more realistic than NBA Live 10. The players in Live just run around weird and they all run the same way. It looks like a bunch of lurps on the court. My only complaint so far is that the frame rate does drop at some points in the game and it can be frustrating but 2k can fix that and it isn't that bad (at least on my game).

Sound: The only area where Live has an edge (besides that frame rate issue) is on the crowds. The videos I've seen of Live and the demo have awesome crowds that really help you get into the game. They need it cause the gameplay doesn't look so great. However, 2k has improved the crowds and they react to the action on the court much better than in past games. The crowds do everything right, they just aren't quite as loud as often as they are in Live but I think the crowds sound great. The commentary is awesome this year and although I don't really listen to them when I'm playing, they are talking the whole time.

Graphics: I don't know why so many people think Live looks better. 2k10 has awesome graphics. The courts look amazing for most of the teams (some arenas could look better) and the players look extremely authentic. Their faces look amazing and are way better than in the past.

I don't have all day to write this thing but I just wanted all you people out there who can't decide to know that NBA 2k10 beats NBA Live 10 in the realistic department. So if you are a hardcore hoops fan that cares about authenticity then get NBA 2k10. If you want a fun arcade game then get NBA Live 10.