NBA 2K8

NBA 2K8
PlayStation 3 cover art featuring Chris Paul
Developer(s)	Visual Concepts
Publisher(s)	2K Spike (JP)
Series	NBA 2K
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2 PlayStation 3 Xbox 360
Release	NA: October 2, 2007 AU: October 31, 2007 AU: November 1, 2007 (X360) EU: November 2, 2007 (X360) EU: November 23, 2007 JP: August 7, 2008 (PS3, X360)
Genre(s)	Sports
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

NBA 2K8 is a 2007 basketball simulation video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K and Spike. It is the ninth installment in the NBA 2K franchise and the successor to NBA 2K7. It was released in 2007 for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets is the cover athlete of the game. NBA 2K8 is the predecessor to NBA 2K9 in the NBA 2K series.

NBA 2K8 was well received upon release. Critics mostly praised the aesthetical details, particularly the player animations, as well as the game mode options, and overall gameplay, more specifically, the post play, jump shooting, and well rounded accessibility.

Gameplay

NBA 2K8 is a basketball simulation game which strives to emulate the National Basketball Association and the sport of basketball in general. Players mostly play NBA basketball games in a variety of game modes, with real teams and players or created players. One of the new additions to the game is the Slam Dunk Contest game mode.^[1] During games, Kevin Harlan is the play-by-play commentator, this is the last game in the NBA 2K series to have Kenny Smith as the color commentator, he would make a return in the pre-game and halftime shows of NBA 2K16, and Craig Sager as the sideline reporter.

Development and release

Chris Paul is the cover athlete of NBA 2K8.^[2][3][4] The game features a soundtrack consisting of 23 licensed songs. The developers aimed to create genre diversity when composing the soundtrack.^[5][6][7]

NBA 2K8 was released for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 video game consoles in North America on October 2, 2007.^[8]

Soundtrack

In 2006, J Dilla passed away since he and Madlib recorded the song, "The Official", from the 2003 album, Champion Sound. It was remixed for the game.

• J Dilla ft. Madlib - The Official (2K8 Mix)
• J Dilla ft. Q-Tip & Talib Kweli - Lightworks
• J Dilla ft. Common - E=MC2
• Run-D.M.C. - Sucker MC's
• Stone Roses - Fool's Gold
• Breakestra - Getcho Soul Together Pt. 2
• Fishbone - Skankin to the Beat
• Tommy Guerrero - Molotov Telegram
• Percee P - Throwback Rap Attack
• Quasimoto - Chrome Dreams
• Devo - Through Being Cool
• Quantic - When You're Through
• J. Rocc - Cold Heat Megamix
• Cut Chemist - Bunky's Pick
• Billy Ball & The Upsetters - Tighten Up Tighter
• The Highlighters Band - Funky 16 Corners
• A Guy Called Gerald - Hurry to Go Easy
• Sonic Trip - Energy Play
• Baron Zen - Turn Around (Peanut Butter Wolf Instrumental Mix)
• Finley Quaye - Ultra Stimulation
• G-Love & Special Sauce - Shooting Hoops
• Ernie & The Topnotes - Dap Walk
• The Fabulous Jades - Cold Heat

Reception

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
	PS2	PS3	Xbox 360
Metacritic	72/100[26]	81/100[27]	81/100[28]

Review scores

Publication	Score
	PS2	PS3	Xbox 360
Famitsu	N/A	24/40[9]	24/40[9]
Game Informer	N/A	8.25/10[10]	8.25/10[10]
GameRevolution	N/A	B−[11]	B−[11]
GameSpot	6.5/10[12]	8.5/10[13]	8.5/10[13]
GameSpy	[14]	N/A	[15]
GameTrailers	N/A	8/10[16]	8/10[16]
GameZone	N/A	8.7/10[17]	8.7/10[18]
IGN	7.5/10[19]	7.9/10[20]	7.9/10[20]
PlayStation Official Magazine – UK	8/10[21]	8/10[22]	N/A
Official Xbox Magazine (US)	N/A	N/A	8.5/10[23]
411Mania	N/A	N/A	9.3/10[24]
USA Today	N/A	[25]	[25]

The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of NBA 2K8 received "favorable" reviews, while the PlayStation 2 version received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.^[26][27][28] In Japan, Famitsu gave the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions a score of one five, one seven, one five, and one seven for a total of 24 out of 40.^[9]

IGN's Hilary Goldstein said of the same console versions: "In many ways, NBA 2K8 is an improved game on the court. But there are a lot of minor issues that really drag it down. Over the course of my first dozen games, I was in love. But as the season wore on, the issues began piling up to a point that it became a source of frustration. The Lock-on D gaff is inexcusable and the lackluster defensive AI allows decent players to tear it up on offense. Jason Williams should not be dropping 30 points a game. Yet he won the MVP in year two of my franchise. Still, any hoops fan should give NBA 2K8 a look. It's certainly the best basketball game on any system this year. The Association is a solid franchise mode and, if [Virtual Concepts] can iron out its AI and gameplay issues, next year's model could be something very special."^[20]

1UP.com's Todd Zuniga commended the aesthetics, depth, game modes, and online features of the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, but disliked certain gameplay imperfections that he deemed small and annoying, such as the unrealistic defensive abilities of big men when they are defending quick players.^[29] Aaron Thomas of GameSpot praised the same console versions for having a large amount of content, the CPU, and the new additions to the game.^[13] In his review for Game Revolution, Chris Andrien wrote of the same console versions: "At the end of the day, NBA 2K8 is a pretty fun jaunt." He spoke well of the sound effects, but hated the "goofy" commentary. He liked the addition of NBA legends such as Larry Bird, but disliked certain other gameplay additions, including the "unrealistic" lock-on defense. Lastly, Andrien praised the realistic visuals and animations, but criticized the "wonky" artificial intelligence.^[11]

It's rare that a series takes as serious a step backwards as NBA 2K8 has this season. It's missing modes and gameplay features from last year's game, while adding subtle changes that few players will notice or make use of. Last year the 2K series was the best roundball game on the market by a landslide. This year, it's dribbled the ball out of bounds with no defender in sight.

—GameTrailers^[16]

GameTrailers complimented the same console versions' dunk contest game mode, praised the "incredible online" play, called the post play "the best in the biz", said the shooting felt "just right", and enjoyed the animations. However, the review cited several "quirks", such as AI issues, players unrealistically missing shots or attempting shots that wouldn't realistically be used, statistical problems, removed features, and the lock-on defense mechanic, as downsides. Lastly, the review also heavily criticized the designs of the players and the menus, calling them "awful" and "butchered", as well as the "repetitive" commentary, but did enjoy the soundtrack and said the amount of animations "makes a huge difference".^[16]

During the 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, NBA 2K8 received a nomination for "Sports Game of the Year" by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.^[30]

References

1. "NBA 2K8". NBA. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
2. Geddes, Ryan (July 19, 2007). "Chris Paul Gets NBA 2K8 Cover". IGN. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
3. GameSpot staff (July 19, 2007). "Paul dunks NBA 2K8 cover". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
4. "Chris Paul Named Cover Athlete for NBA® 2K8". GameZone. July 19, 2007. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
5. IGN Music (September 24, 2007). "NBA 2K8 Soundtrack Mixes Rap And Rock". IGN. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
6. GameSpot staff (September 24, 2007). "J Dilla headlines NBA 2K8 soundtrack". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
7. Hayward, Andrew (September 24, 2007). "NBA 2K8 Soundtrack Brings the Hip-Hop". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
8. Geddes, Ryan (October 2, 2007). "NBA 2K8 Takes the Court". IGN. Archived from the original on November 12, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
9. nalanyun (July 30, 2008). "Latest Famitsu Review Score, Tales of Vesperia get 35/40, Fatal Frame IV get 34/40". N4G. Archived from the original on August 12, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
10. Bertz, Matt (November 2007). "NBA 2K8 (PS3, X360)". Game Informer. No. 175. Archived from the original on January 11, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
11. Andrien, Chris (October 25, 2007). "NBA 2K8 Review (PS3, X360)". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on October 12, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
12. Thomas, Aaron (October 12, 2007). "NBA 2K8 Review (PS2)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 20, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
13. Thomas, Aaron (October 2, 2007). "NBA 2K8 Review (PS3, X360)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
14. Leahy, Dan (October 4, 2007). "GameSpy: NBA 2K8 (PS2)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on June 9, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
15. Villoria, Gerald (October 5, 2007). "GameSpy: NBA 2K8 (X360)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
16. "NBA 2K8 Review (PS3, X360)". GameTrailers. October 10, 2007. Archived from the original on December 9, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
17. Bedigian, Louis (October 7, 2007). "NBA 2K8 - PS3 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
18. Grabowski, Dakota (October 10, 2007). "NBA 2K8 - 360 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
19. Haynes, Jeff (October 5, 2007). "NBA 2K8 Review (PS2)". IGN. Archived from the original on October 1, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
20. Goldstein, Hilary (October 2, 2007). "NBA 2K8 Review (PS3, X360)". IGN. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
21. "NBA 2K8 (PS2)". Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine: 89. December 2007.
22. "NBA 2K8 (PS3)". Official UK PlayStation 2 Magazine: 111. December 2007.
23. "NBA 2K8". Official Xbox Magazine. December 2007. p. 62.
24. Redkey, David (October 6, 2007). "NBA 2K8 (Xbox 360) Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
25. Molina, Brett (October 18, 2007). "NBA 2K8 rises above the competition". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
26. "NBA 2K8 for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 13, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
27. "NBA 2K8 for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on June 27, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
28. "NBA 2K8 for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 23, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
29. Zuniga, Todd (October 16, 2007). "NBA 2K8 (PS3, Xbox 360)". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
30. "2008 Awards Category Details Sports Game of the Year". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 14 November 2023.

External links

• NBA 2K8 at MobyGames