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NBA 2K7 Hands On: Free Throws and More

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  • PS3
By Brian Ekberg, GameSpot, Posted Oct 20, 2006 2:52 am GMT

We *clank* check out the new *clank* free throw controls in *clank* the PS3 version of NBA 2K7. *swish* Woo!

Back in high school we weren't known for our free throw skills. In fact, back in high school we weren't known for anything athletic of any kind. So it's with trepidation that we approached the new tilt-controlled free throw system in the PlayStation 3 version of NBA 2K7, which 2K Sports was showing off today during the Sony PS3 event here in San Francisco.

Look at it this way: You can't be any worse at free throws than this guy.

Look at it this way: You can't be any worse at free throws than this guy.

As has been the case with next-gen 2K games, the PlayStation 3 version of NBA 2K7 will include all of the game modes and features found in the Xbox 360 version of the game. The new addition to the PS3 version of the game is the free throw system. Once your player steps up to the line, the idea is to flick the controller forward just at the moment the ball leaves his hands in the shot animation. If you really want to get in the spirit of things, you can hold the controller high above your head and simulate the motion of the shot--if you're really a basketball nerd you can even palm the face of the Sixaxis controller. The coolest aspect of the new system, beyond the novelty of it, is that it ties you that much more to the particular free throw style of the player at the line. In our game playing as the Miami Heat, for example, we got used to Jason Williams' smooth, uninterrupted motion fairly quickly. Antoine Walker's rising, delayed shot, on the other hand, was timed completely differently and we clanked a few off the rim as a result.

So while this control isn't going to be redefining basketball games as you know them, we do see some strong possibilities for screwing up your buddy's free throw attempts when playing side-by-side; a quick shove will be all it takes to completely screw up his shot--come on, you know you're going to try it at least once. Unfortunately, that's it for the Sixaxis usage in the game this year--though developers were quick to point out that they are busy exploring new ways of using the tilt functions in the game for NBA 2K8 and beyond.

What else has been added to the game? The extra month in the development cycle for the PS3 game has given the developers time to work on details such as improving player likenesses and, more importantly, adding new signature-style moves that forms such a big shot of the on-the-floor gameplay in 2K7. While we didn't have a ton of time to spend with the game during our demo, it seemed like the artificial intelligence was even more tenacious than before, especially on defense--the opposing team is apt to go for a steal or intercept at any time on the floor and it keeps you on your toes throughout the game.

Graphically, it's tough to tell if the PS3 game is a notable improvement from the Xbox 360 version of the game. Certainly the game looked great in the demo we played--with deep, rich colors, and a lively animated crowd that really added life to the backgrounds--but how much of that clarity was due to PS3 power as opposed to the state-of-the-art flatscreen the game was playing on, is tough to tell. Regardless, PS3 owners who play NBA 2K7 aren't going to have much to complain about, as the game is running at 60 frames per second at both 720p and 1080p, according to developers.

So is the Sixaxis free throw system reason enough to buy NBA 2K7 for PlayStation 3 if you already own the Xbox 360 version of the game? Probably not. However, if you find yourself with a PS3 on launch day, you haven't played this year's 2K basketball game, and want another excuse to work on your free throws, you'll know where to turn. We'll have a full review of NBA 2K7 after the game is released in mid-November.

32 Comments

  • Ryan_1990

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 3:48 pm GMT

    I'm getting it on launch day

  • thekey

    Posted Nov 5, 2006 12:35 pm GMT

    Thats just more proof that the PS3 isn't any better then the 360. It has the same abilties.(Ecept reading a next gen DVD format)

  • Pablo620

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 8:57 pm GMT

    Im getting this at launch. I have skipped out on the last 2 seasons of 2K after having it yearly since NBA 2K1. Hooray for MY DEFENDING CHAMPS, see ya on Tuesday Heat, ill be in the house.

  • vodkamattvt

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 10:58 am GMT

    Rofl, to all those that took my realistic comment to be actually like shooting a basketball ... no. I meant more realistic percentages as far as a simulation of the players ability. IE Antoine Walker is a terrible free throw shooter, it should be harder and you should make around 60% of your shots. Steve Nash should make over 90%.

    I am in no way saying that its like playing basketball for real. I played basketball all through highschool, and I would never play a game instead of shooting for real. I thought 2k7 was about a NBA basketball simulation, and therefore screw the mechanics, I dont care. Do freethrows by the percentages.

  • RaNaBiR

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 2:24 am GMT

    Awesome!

  • LikwidX3

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 12:35 pm GMT

    looks damn good, but am i the only person that notices the jerseys are like 4 inches off of their bodies? haha, i mean, if ur gonna make a game on the ps3 make the graphics perfect and fix that collision. i mean it is a ps3 right? if its not gonna have anything but new graphics (basicly) they mightaswell try to blow the 360s stuff out of the water. well atleast these graphics dont look like nba07s graphics where the players look like theyre covered with lube. as for the freethrow thing, if its in the game i guess its in the game; might-as-well use the stolen idea for something, right? i know it sounds like im downing this games efforts, but i cant say anything about how fun its gonna be because, hell, for the record i never played it.

  • waleedarshad

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 9:28 am GMT

    look good

  • silverwolfe0170

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 7:43 am GMT

    @ AJC3317

    Of course, Sony has no say in what third party developers do with the controller. This isn't a fault of Sony's at all.

  • maaly81

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 7:33 am GMT

    im not getting a ps3--my 360 sucks already with freezing everytime I play. I love to play video games but all this crap on the ps3 is overrated. Dont get ur hopes up, cuz just like they pushed back the quantity of ps3's at launch, i am sure the quality will be as bootleg as my 360 is, and I didnt even get mine at launch but a year later.

  • starfoxmcleoud

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 6:15 am GMT

    Hmm...here's an idea. Get out from behind your tv and put down the controller, go to your local community center, grab a basketball, and start shooting. Can't get more realistic free throws than that! Unless you're just that lazy and live on the couch. Even so, the free throw controls will make your hard core or even average couch potato huffing and puffing. Want real? Stand in front of a basketball hoop and not a tv!

  • AJC3317

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 9:11 pm GMT

    so basically nintendo went all the way with their gimmick unlike sony?

  • Nint3nd0_Fr3ak

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 8:18 pm GMT

    "vodkamattvt
    I don't understand the criticism of the free throw shooting mechanics. Sounds realistic to me."

    Actually no. Its nothing like real basketball. I have been playing for 8 years and it's nothing like it. Its stupid pointless and gimmicky. People say the Wii is gimmicky. At least it goes all the way with its motion sensing ideas. Unlike ps3 which just tacks it on as a gimmick no one cares about. Im still gunna get a ps3 tho. Just not at launch only when i get FFXIII

  • s3lFc0nTr0l

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 3:41 pm GMT

    the free throws are hard enough already with the analog stick

  • _Sam_

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 1:18 pm GMT

    the visuals look pretty good

  • met7

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 11:28 am GMT

    2k7 is right now the best basket sim.and the ps3 version shuld be no difernt

  • vodkamattvt

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 10:50 am GMT

    I don't understand the criticism of the free throw shooting mechanics. Sounds realistic to me.

    Jason Williams -> 86% free throw shooter.
    Antoine Walker -> 62% free throw shooter.

    Has anyone seen Walker shoot? It looks like he needs glasses, and Im not just talking about the line. Is it that reviewers expect to step to the line with anyone and make every shot because they are "good gamers"? I usually flat out turn off controlling free throws at all and let the statistic decide (if thats still an option, I havent picked up this years game, waiting to see which next gen I will get).

  • Zweihanderhero

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 8:46 am GMT

    mark_unix
    why not Microsoft? well they always try to be like the Apple of gaming and also try to behave like an underdog but to Europeans/Asians they just sound arrogant unlike Sony which is only found arrogant by Americans.

    and the amount of games for the European/Asian market is still zero, all the Japanese games there are on the xbox360 all target Americans and thus not great for the Japanese market.

    Please don't spout nonsense.

    I'm Asian,i live in South East Asia,Singapore to be exact. Do i think MS is arrogant?Hell no.It's the exact opposite.It's Sony who needs to take a bite out of the humble pie. MS takes care of it's customers. We even have our own local X0something shows.

    Sony on the other hand,has no local presence other than the token ads for the PSP and PS2,and the PS3 is virtually unadvertised. NTSC/J releases are just token titles,majority of them don't even get translated. The idiots at Sony don't give a damn about asians,unlike MS who actually took the time for events and such.

    What exactly are games that are for asian markets?How is it you know so much about what WE wanna play?Newsflash:Asians play more western games than Japanese ones.What,you think just because we live in Asia our tastes in games are the same as the Japanese?Asian gamers are NOT japanese gamers,get that straight.

    You obviously don't live in Asia or have any idea what we think over here in Asia,so just do us all a favor and be quiet.

  • mark_unix

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 12:47 am GMT

    why not Microsoft? well they always try to be like the Apple of gaming and also try to behave like an underdog but to Europeans/Asians they just sound arrogant unlike Sony which is only found arrogant by Americans.

    and the amount of games for the European/Asian market is still zero, all the Japanese games there are on the xbox360 all target Americans and thus not great for the Japanese market.

Review Scores

PlatformGameSpotMetacritic / User Score
Xbox 360
Review this game
8.2
PS3
Review this game
8.2
PS2
Review this game
7.8
Xbox
Review this game
7.9

Game Info

  • Xbox 360 PS2 Xbox Release Info

    • Release Date: Sep 25, 2006
    • ESRB: E
      Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older.

  • PS3 Release Info

    • Release Date: Nov 13, 2006
    • ESRB: E
      Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older.

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