ESPN NBA 2K5 was a Masterpiece

ESPN NBA 2K5 had great simulation-style gameplay, numerous awesome game modes like the 24/7 and Street modes, arguably the greatest and deepest franchise mode of its time with the Association mode, and of course, excellent ESPN presentation, resulting in one of the greatest sports video games ever made. And it only cost $19.99 at launch...
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Song Credits: Close by Foewi and Wonder by Lakey Inspired

#retrospective #SOFTDRINKTV #game #review #sdtv

[rich]

2k just nailed it all around in 2005. NFL, NHL & NBA were all instant classics. It’s a shame their reputation has been tarnished developing the same endless greed as their biggest rival

[DevontaTravis]

This intro is something they need to bring back. First real 2k basketball game that got me hooked

[Picantepantz]

This game had so much attitude and character. I would give anything to have this amount of love and detail in a sports game today.

[chrancylewhern]

2003-2006 was the peak of sport video games. There were still some gems after that but it slowly degraded from there.

[DonnieScott-hlrx]

Being from Detroit, the Pistons winning the championship in 2004 and having Ben Wallace on the cover for 2K5 was a must-buy for me. I had so much FUN with that game.

[jimmyv]

I remember going to EB games and getting both NFL and NBA 2K5 for $40, $10 cheaper than one whole full price game. That was insane and the fact that these were great SPORTS!!!! games, the things we don't get anymore, blows my mind. I played both of these games for hours.

[Jeastico]

2k5 was the blueprint. It’s like a hidden gem.

[MrSquaky]

The fact this game included a 280 page reference guide is Legendary

[thepatriarchy]

As a 25 year old pistons fan, I was playing this at around 7 years old. Amazing nostalgia.

[BWayans]

I remember that this game, along with Backyard Basketball 2004, were among the first NBA games I ever bought, and I was instantly hooked! It was a lot of fun playing through the game and the unlockables included were a nice touch (that Hieroglyphics team was really stacked).

Oh, and that soundtrack was an underrated piece of work! A nice mix of alternative and underground hip-hop. I feel that 2K5, along with 2K11, were among my favorite installments in the NBA 2K series.

[BoxOfOranges]

My mom bought this game instead of NBA Live, likely because it was cheaper. Best sports game I have ever played.

One thing that still stands out to me is how realistic the auto-substitutions were. It really helps with the immersion when the distribution of stats and minutes closely mirrors a real-life stat line

[TheSuperkeithg]

NBA 2k3 and 2k5 had the the most exciting intros! Used to always get me hyped to start playing the game

[bigfloridapimp]

That intro song got me hype as fuck. "I'm like the glove in his prime, taking the ball from ya" for as much nostalgia I have for this game, the franchise mode with the cap on is almost unplayable today lol even back then I don't think I did. End up with Dirk and Garnett in the free agent pool never to be signed and it's just eghhh

[sploit]

The 2K team was just so good back then. Feel bad for the kids they didn’t get to experience it. A better game for less than half the competition price

[roussin_]

nothing beats the ESPN presentation from the 2k5 games, it's so good. only FIFA and 2k eras do anything close to it now

[GrouponDeal]

2k5 was my first 2k game I personally had. many hours were sunk into it and I remember I was only 8 grinding the association mode and 24/7. But then my disc got a ring on it 🥲 RIP 2k5 and Stuart Scott
HOLLA AT YA BOY WHEN YA SEE EM IN THE STREET (real ones know that quote lol)

[Ninja]

The Voices of ESPN NBA 2K5 -
Bob Fitzgerald - Play By Play
Bill Walton - Color Analyst - R.i.p. (1952 - 2024)
Michelle Tafoya - Sideline Reporter
Stuart Scott - Presenter - (1965 - 2015) - May god rest his soul & Rest in paradise heaven.

[Jeice]

This intro is one of the best BBall related raps I’ve ever heard(that alone shows how much more effort they put in back in the day)

[Hotsauce]

In the 2000s we had some great Basketball games. NBA Ballers, NBA 2k, NBA Street and NBA Live. Now It's so sad to see how now little to no improvements are being made for the newer titles

[LBOOGIEDAMANN]

Brings back memories, arguably the best year in sports gaming ever.