NBA 2k12 Review – It is fun… for a short while

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On November 23, 2011

App Type: Uncategorized

NBA 2k12 Review – It is fun… for a short while

Our rating:

By: Take Two

Version #: 1.1.1

Date Released: 2011-10-27

Developer: 2K Sports

Price: 4.99

User Rating:
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I love basketball. For a long while I’ve been longing for a good basketball game for an iPad or an iPhone… One random day I thought hey, isn’t there an NBA 2k12 version for iPad? I searched the App Store for NBA 2k… and 2k12 had been launched on that day. Awesome, isn’t it?

Well, it isn’t. First let me get this straight: the graphics are awesome. My girlfriend told me she thought I was watching a game, not playing a game. And indeed, the animations are smooth, not clunky like EA Sports’ NBA games. The problem is, the game is VERY slow.

It’s not slow as if the game needs a better CPU or more RAM, no. It’s slow because there a lot of cut-scenes (timeouts, free-throws, bench shots) that you can’t skip. Yes, seriously. You have to watch the referees bouncing the ball, passing it to the free throw shooter, shoot, someone grabs the rebound, gives the ref the ball, and repeats. Of course, this makes the game very realistic, but also makes the game very boring. If you set quarter length to 1 or 2 minutes, you are just wasting time watching this, when you’d more likely want to play.

The game also features an interesting point, the Jordan Challenge. You have 10 challenges to take, each one marking one of Jordan’s awesome feats. You have to re-create his nights, making 69 points, or defending like a star against the best players. Nice to have, but each of this challenges takes a long, long time: quarter length is fixed at 8 minutes (8 or 12, I can’t remember). Prepare to lose a lot of time… Or stop playing.

Summarizing, the game is good. Insanely good. But it’s slow, maddening slow.

Quick Take

Value:Medium

Would I Buy Again:No

Learning Curve:Medium

Who Is It For:Basketball fans

What I Like:The graphics are stunning

What I Don't Like:Cut scenes are very long and remove the flow from the game

Final Statement:Graphically perfect, but playing is a pain

Read the Developer's Notes:
The highest-rated NBA simulation 11 years running is now available on iOS for the first time ever. Built on the powerful and critically acclaimed NBA 2K engine, NBA 2K12 features stunning graphics and animations, as well as one-touch controls that are more comfortable on iOS and give players more control over their actions. Jump into a matchup featuring all 30 NBA teams in Quick Game, or go through the a full 82-game campaign in Season Mode.

NBA 2K12 also lets you relive 10 of Michael Jordan's most memorable moments in the "Jordan Challenge," including the infamous "Flu Game" and "Double Nickel" performances.

Article By

Ruben Berenguel is finishing his PhD in Mathematics while writing in mostlymaths.net about being a 'geek of all trades'. He also happens to be the senior editor in the What's on iPhone network: any complaints go to him!

ruben has written 174 awesome app reviews.

You can read other great content from ruben at https://www.mostlymaths.net