Video Game Vintage Title: NBA 2K12

NBA 2K12

NBA 2K12 is a basketball video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports. It was released on October 4, 2011 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Microsoft Windows , Wii and for the first time on iOS iPhone and iPad. For the first time in the series, there are three different covers to choose from when purchasing the game, featuring Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan. It is the thirteenth installment in the NBA 2K series, the first game in the series to have "built-in" support of 3D for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions, and the first to include motion controls using the PlayStation Move. NBA 2K12 is the successor to NBA 2K11, and the predecessor to "NBA 2K13" in the NBA 2K series.

NBA 2K12 Gameplay

NBA's Greatest mode: For the first time in the series, gamers are able to take control of the most iconic players in NBA history and match them up against other classic or modern-day teams. Each of these 15 basketball legends has been recreated along with period-specific depictions of their arenas, team uniforms, signature moves, and historically accurate broadcast presentation styles. Gamers are now able to utilize signature moves, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's sky-hook and Hakeem Olajuwon's Dream Shake. "NBA's Greatest" legends in NBA 2K12 include:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (86�87 Los Angeles Lakers)

Larry Bird (85�86 Boston Celtics)

Wilt Chamberlain (71�72 Los Angeles Lakers)

Julius Erving (84�85 Philadelphia 76ers)

Patrick Ewing (94�95 New York Knicks)

Magic Johnson (90�91 Los Angeles Lakers)

Michael Jordan (92�93 Chicago Bulls)

Karl Malone (97�98 Utah Jazz)

Hakeem Olajuwon (93�94 Houston Rockets)

Scottie Pippen (95�96 Chicago Bulls)

Oscar Robertson (70�71 Milwaukee Bucks)

Bill Russell (64�65 Boston Celtics)

John Stockton (97�98 Utah Jazz)

Isiah Thomas (88�89 Detroit Pistons)

Jerry West (70�71 Los Angeles Lakers)

My Player mode returns from NBA 2K10 and NBA 2K11. The Draft Combine and Summer Circuit have been replaced by the "Rookie Showcase". After that, three general managers interview a basketball player before the draft. Good conversations can increase draft stock. Another new feature added to My Player mode and The Association mode is that NBA Commissioner David Stern reads all the 1st round picks. Other additions include endorsements where a player can appear on billboards and magazine covers, create shoes and even be featured in an NBA "Where Amazing Happens" commercial. Players receive paychecks to use on skill points or new things like a basketball clinic to raise their local fan popularity. Instead of playing every game of the season, gamers can choose to only play Key Games, instead of the 82-game grind. The point of this is so players can make it through their entire career. Press conferences are upgraded and now players statuses on league popularity, team chemistry and fan support can be seen. Players can now get inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as well. The PlayStation Portable version of this game does not include the endorsements, general manager interviews, paychecks, Hall of Fame induction, or the draft presentation.

Creating a Legend mode also returns from NBA 2K11 with improvements of its own. Now instead of taking a rookie Michael Jordan onto any team, players can take control of any current NBA player and play out the rest of his career. Players are not able to have press conferences in this mode.

Steve Kerr, formerly of the EA Sports NBA Live/Elite series, joins the returning broadcasting team of Kevin Harlan, Clark Kellogg and Doris Burke.

Association The Association mode includes you choosing a team from all 30 NBA teams, enabling you to be the General Manager of the team selected. You are then able to play through as many seasons as you want while you have the choice to simulate through games. You are able to control the staff, roster and scouting if desired. In the off season and before the Trade Deadline, you are able to sign free agents and trade draft picks and players for other players and picks as long as you don't surpass the given cap space.

Reception
NBA 2K12 has received critical acclaim, with a current Metascore rating of 90 of 100 on Metacritic. IGN gave the Xbox 360 version a 9.5 out of 10, claiming that everything that it has to offer makes "for a game that any basketball fan has to pick up". GameSpot gave it an 8.5/10 for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 versions. GamesRadar gave both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions a perfect 10 out of 10.