NLSC Podcast NLSC

Which stars, past or present, have been harder to use in basketball video games than they should've been? This week, we join the community in recalling our most memorable examples, and discussing why we struggled with them. We also recap a fun session using 1986 rosters in NBA 2K19, and discuss the dismaying news that NBA 2K24 has been extremely profitable for Take-Two despite receiving significant backlash and criticism from the community.

Who are the most memorable deadeyes from downtown on the virtual hardwood? This week, we join in the community in reminiscing about the best three-point shooters in the history of basketball video games. We also discuss the possibility of intrusive in-game ads becoming the norm - along with some worrying examples that we've already seen - and recall the players that we preferred to overwrite when customising the rosters in classic titles.

What is the most overused jargon in basketball discourse? This week, we join the community in listing the terms that annoy us the most. We also cover the latest NBA 2K24 MyTEAM controversy, wherein 2K has abruptly and without explanation pulled a Kobe Bryant reward card that a pre-release developer insight promised was coming in Season 6. Of course, as Top Spin 2K25 aptly demonstrates, the company's greed extends far beyond the virtual hardwood!

Who are the worst and most annoying commentators in basketball video games? This week, we join the community in picking our least favourite voices of the virtual hardwood. Of course, it probably won't come as a surprise that we're generally not fans of them in real life, either! We also recap a fun session with Basketball Classics, and quiz the community on the top-rated point guards in NBA 2K9. Not to sound like clickbait, but the answers may shock you!

Which basketball games are the easiest and hardest to put up stats in? This week, we join the community in discussing the titles that stick out in our minds, and the statistics that either eluded us or piled up way too easily. We also recap a session with Virtua NBA, provide an update on our journey in the original NBA Jam, pick our ideal games for an annual tournament, and reflect on how it feels to shelve a beloved favourite.

After feeling inspired to revisit the Super Nintendo version of the original NBA Jam, we were reminded of how fun it still is...and also, just how unfair it can be! A couple of interesting ratings likewise stood out, leading us to dive into some statistics from 1993. We also join the community in discussing which ideas we'd take from other sports games to improve future NBA 2K releases (and potentially, a new NBA Live as well).