As one of the most popular sporting competitions in the world, the NBA has enjoyed huge commercial success, attracting fans and followers from practically every corner of the globe. This is largely due to the international flavour now being showcased, with the most talented players around the planet setting their sights on becoming NBA stars.
Video games have also tapped into the success and popularity of the NBA, bringing us a whole host of ways to enjoy basketball in virtual arenas. These are some of the most popular games
The Champs
If there’s anything that gamers love about video game sports simulations, it’s the chance to take control of their favourite superstars. Since 1999 with the very first release, NBA 2K has done exactly that, offering yearly updates to all the team rosters and additional modes featuring the most iconic players of the past.
Year on year, the base game has improved and evolved. Along with additional game modes like MyTeam and MyCareer, giving players the chance to create their own team franchises and potential star players, graphical upgrades have brought photo-realistic detail to all the action. That’s why the upcoming release of NBA 2K21 across all platforms is so eagerly anticipated, including the “Mamba Forever” Edition, celebrating the life of Kobe Bryant.
The Slam Dunks
One game that has made waves online over the last few years is Basketball Stars, an online slot which aims to capture the experience of an all-star game. This includes neat features like Wild Shot that is triggered by scoring a slam dunk, giving players an extra chance to increase their winnings, while enjoying a fast-paced game with cool graphics and vibrant sound effects.
Developed by renowned studio Microgaming, the Basketball Stars slot now forms part of the wide selection of online casino games available at NetBet, a site combines their gaming experiences with virtual sports action and a wide variety of sports betting options. Indeed, they actually have both the LA Lakers and LA Clippers tipped as favourites for the NBA Championship this year.
The Challengers
EA Games enjoyed considerable success with NBA Jam and NBA Live in the past, although the publisher announced they will not release a new game for the upcoming season. Apparently, they want to focus on the next generation of consoles and gaming platforms, which means their next basketball release might not come for another year or two.
In the meantime, current releases aiming for our attention include Draft Day Sports: College Basketball 2020, produced by Wolverine Studios. Rather than action, this game is based around building a college team dynasty, taking players into an intricately detailed management simulation.
Taking a look at Steam and other digital download platforms, there are plenty of other basketball-themed games around to enjoy, which means the sport itself remains one of the most inspirational for gaming developers. From simple 8-bit arcade-style action, to virtual reality experiences, there’s plenty to keep us shooting hoops for years to come.
