Basketball video games range from serious NBA or NCAA-sanctioned five-on-five simulation games to streetballers in the playground and everything in-between. There's something out there for everyone, and the best basketball video games release new versions regularly. Here's a list, in no particular order, of the games worth knowing about. And note that we haven't reviewed these games ourselves, yet, so the info about each game isn't the InsideHoops.com analysis, but what the companies themselves say about their own games.

NBA LIVE 07 -- By EA Sports. Released Sept. 25, 2006: Take your game to the highest level in NBA LIVE 07. With all-new EA SPORTS Total Freestyle Control and revolutionary gameplay-complete with ultra-realistic moves and player emotions-the highly acclaimed basketball video game from the EA SPORTS brand plays as good as it looks. Pull off moves only the pros perform as you replicate the styles of your favorite NBA players. Elevate to the rim for an electrifying dunk and bring the crowd to its feet, or look to your superstars to shift momentum with the game on the line. Featuring all-new levels of ability for your EA SPORTS Freestyle Superstars and the power to switch their skills on-the-fly, the hardwood is yours for the taking in NBA LIVE 07.

Powered by the most intelligent and intuitive gameplay engine ever created, experience realism like never before during All-Star Weekend, and an advanced Dynasty Mode that challenges you to manage your team to the NBA Finals. While online*, never miss breaking news with the most advanced ESPN integration package ever offered with news in-game while you play, including ESPN Motion and radio podcasts. Whether challenging your rivals at home or online anywhere in the world, your game has been elevated to the next level with NBA LIVE 07.

EA SPORTS Total Freestyle Control: Take complete control of EA SPORTS Freestyle Superstars to perform the true-to-life moves of a High Flyer, Shooter, Scorer, or Playmaker, then elevate your game to the next level by changing skill attributes on-the-fly. Toggle through your Freestyle Superstar moves at any time to decide how your stars win the game.

Take Over the Game: Use the all-new progressive control system to maneuver your Freestyle Superstars to elevate their play and take over the game. Perform a spectacular move to dazzle the crowd and boost your team's momentum. Feel the intensity rise as your defensive stopper, veteran leader, or fan favorite steps up in key situations.




NBA 2K7 -- By 2K Sports. Released Sept. 25, 2006: Considered to be one of the best basketball video games ever. "Without a doubt, this is definitely our finest basketball effort to date and possibly the finest sports title we've made," stated Greg Thomas, president of Visual Concepts, a 2K Sports studio. "NBA 2K7 delivers the next generation details that sports gamers have wanted. The development team has worked extremely hard to not only set a new standard in visual quality, but also develop new gameplay features that we believe will set a new standard for the next generation of sports games."

NBA 2K7 showcases the dynamic movements of every single NBA player with the introduction of Signature Style, featuring over 300 unique animations in jumpshots, dunks, dribbles and passes. Athletes in NBA 2K7 look and move exactly like their real-life counterparts, and display the same tendencies and behaviors, bringing intelligence and realism to the next level. Improved arena atmosphere includes enhanced lighting effects and dynamic 3D crowd behaviors, and over 30 new gameplay cameras.

NBA 2K7 brings the most comprehensive game modes for any sports game including 24/7: NEXT, an entertaining Streetball story mode with unique basketball challenges; a completely redesigned Create Player system; and the Association, the most complete franchise mode that includes three-team trades, progressive fatigue and more.




NBA 2007 The Life -- By SCEA. Released Sep 25, 2006: The most detailed and engaging NBA experience both on the court and behind the scenes is back again with NBA '07 for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. Picking up where last year's game left off, NBA '07 hits the hardwood with new features, enhanced gameplay, and a return to the immersive inside experience of life in the league by introducing "The Life: Volume 2."

An all-new Smart Shot Indicator provides a visual gauge of the impact defense has on shot opportunities, and a new Power Boarding System is now in place to offer a true 3D approach for players to position themselves for rebounds. Additionally, NBA '07 includes refined core gameplay elements including new mechanics for stealing, passing, and shot selection as well as more intuitive Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Officially licensed by the NBA, more than a dozen mini-games are available in NBA '07 including favorites such as 21, Own the Court, and 3-Point Shootout. "Showtime Gameplay" returns, providing players the opportunity to manage and balance a variety of game time elements including temperamental crowds, eager teammates, and individual basketball skills. With online access to compete in a variety of leagues and tournaments, EyeToy functionality, and an all-new soundtrack, NBA '07 is prepared to deliver the most realistic professional basketball experience available - on and off the courts.

# The Life: Volume 2 – Go behind the scenes in this unique mode to experience the life of an NBA professional – this time as the league's star player. # True NBA Experience – Gamers will once again be exposed to successes and failures of an NBA career including injuries, press conferences, endorsements, and other major events that come with being a franchise athlete.




NBA Ballers Phenom -- By Midway. Released Apr 5, 2006: Here it is...The NBA Finals in sunny Los Angeles, California. It's time for all the unknowns from around the world to step on the court and get noticed by the right people. From scouts and coaches to casting directors, everyone is looking for the next "phenom." You have one week to check out the city and prove that you're the one everyone is looking for. Take the trophy in unique basketball tournaments, customize your style to get all the eyes on you, and interact with the local scene. By the end of the week, you could be the #1 draft pick of the NBA or on your way to your own entertainment empire. Have you got the skills to prove you belong at the top? It's time to step up or step out.

Fully Interactive Environment - The first fully interactive environment created for a sports video game takes you off the court and onto the streets of LA to explore neighborhoods like Hollywood, Venice Beach, and Beverly Hills during the NBA Finals.

Choose Your Path to Stardom – Everything you do affects your path to the NBA as the next #1 draft pick or the way in which your character transforms into an entertainment entrepreneur, complete with a record label, clothing line and movie deal.

Exciting Basketball Action – NBA Ballers: Phenom expands realistic basketball action to include many new features, including the most insane blacktop moves, 2-on-2 partnering with your favorite NBA superstar and mini-game training which will upgrade your skills.




AND 1 Streetball Video Game -- By Ubisoft, Black Ops Ent. Released June 6, 2006: With unprecedented depth, freedom and control, AND 1 Streetball features the entire roster of sensational AND 1 MixTape Tour players such as AO, The Professor, Spyda and Pharmacist – each with their signature moves and look. AND 1 Streetball also gives you the power to create your own player and your own moves – so you can become the next streetball phenomenon.

The highly immersive Story mode puts you on the AND 1 MixTape Tour – the world's premier streetball event, where originality and the ability to electrify the crowds will get your name mentioned alongside the streetball legends. But to become a legend in true AND 1 MixTape Tour fashion, you must continue to work on your skills and elevate your game every time you play.

Experience real streetball - Step into the shoes of the AND 1 players to execute mesmerizing moves like Hot Sauce's killer crossover, Helicopter's rim-bending dunks, and The Professor's no-look passes.

A basketball game revolution - Build your own character and create your own signature moves using AND 1's revolutionary Create-a-Move editor, loaded with custom showboating, scoring and celebration moves.

Online multiplayer - Put your skills to the test against other top players as you showcase your own creative moves and strive to gain a reputation as the best.




NCAA March Madness 06 -- By EA Sports. Released Oct 11, 2005: Finally, play the kind of pressure defense and fast-break offense that wins championships in NCAA March Madness 06. Use defense to create offense by pressuring the ball, forcing turnovers and driving your opponents crazy with the all new EA SPORTS Lockdown Stick.

Featuring an even deeper playbook that covers both ends of the court, NCAA March Madness 06 delivers the ultimate strategic basketball experience. Dominate rivals with a more authentic brand of defense and push the ball on offense with an enhanced Floor General Playcalling system featuring more sets than ever before. Pick your senior leader and watch as his emotion and passion lifts the intensity level of his teammates and excites the raucous campus crowds. Brad Nessler and Dick Vitale call all of the action including the College Classics featuring 10 new classic games, making dream match-ups a reality. With an enhanced Dynasty Mode, the road to the Final Four begins with NCAA March Madness 06.

All-New EA SPORTS Lockdown Stick: Play aggressive D and get in your opponent's face with the new innovative right analog control. Pressure your opponent and dictate his every move by playing physical on-the-ball defense, trapping, forcing turnovers, denying passes and jumping into passing lanes.

All-New Defensive Floor General Playcalling: Level the playing field on defense with all new diagrammed defensive playbooks. Customize your playbook to suit your team's style of play. Play straight up man to man or a zone and create havoc with your opponent.




College Hoops 2k6 -- By 2K Sports. Released Nov 30, 2005: College Hoops 2K6 lets you take your favorite college teams through multiple seasons of NCAA basketball.

Player Disposition - Each player has an inherent set of attributes: consistency, focus, and confidence. Utilize practice drills, scrimmages, and weekly meetings to raise these attributes to their peaks, so that you can heighten your Player Psyche and optimize your players' performances.

Coach's Clipboard - Whether it's a full court press or a quick shot at the end of the half, coach your team to victory through specific timeout directions with Timeout Focus. Improve your zone defense efficiency and exploit your opponent's weaknesses by having total control over individual zone replacements with Zone Substitutions.

Selection Sunday - No day in college basketball is bigger than Selection Sunday. Watch a broadcast of your team's placement into the NCAA Tournament. Listen to commentary as video clips give you the low down on all the bracket match ups.

The Online Experience - 2K Sports continues to lead the online gaming revolution as College Hoops 2K6 features seamless online play and the most comprehensive online feature anywhere including completely online stat tracking, buddy lists management, and online leagues.




PSP NBA -- By SCEA, 989 Sports. Released Mar 16, 2005: This spring, 989 Sports introduced the first, real, basketball simulation ever created for handheld entertainment system. NBA for the PSP handheld entertainment system will provide gamers with all the fast-breaks, precision passing, and above the rim action that fans have come to expect from their sport. Supporting up to two players via wireless multiplayer connectivity, NBA for the PSP will test the skills of all hoopsters with a variety of gameplay options including Full Season Mode, where gamers can select any of the 41 authentic NBA teams, including six National Basketball Development League (NBDL) teams; Paint Mode, where gamers compete against the Artificial Intelligence (AI) or go head-to-head against another player in a color-the-court challenge; the PlayStation Skills Challenge Mode, where gamers time themselves or a challenger in an All-Star type competition; and the 3-point Contest. During both single and multi-player gameplay, NBA for the PSP features the 'Clutch' Shooting Mechanism, a gamers skill and timing along their ability to pull off spin moves, jukes, pump fakes and other special moves will determine if the shot goes or clanks off the rim.

Full Season Mode – Includes simulation, trades, free agent lists, injuries and challenging basketball.

Mobile Gameplay – Gamers can compete locally against friends or other basketball fans from around the country in head-to-head play via Wireless multiplayer connectivity.

Paint Mode Mini-Game – Compete versus the AI or against another player head-to-head in a color-the-court challenge.

NBA Teams – NBA for the PSP offers gamers 41 authentic teams including six National Basketball Development League (NBDL) Teams.




PSP NBA Street Showdown -- By EA Sports. Released Apr 27, 2005: The PSP version of NBA Street rises above the rim and expands on the customization and variety of game modes and gameplay that helps distinguish the franchise within EA's rich basketball portfolio. Gamers can build their reputation as they create the future of street basketball with all-new jaw-dropping, ankle-breaking, rim-shaking moves in visually stimulating environments, from favorite courts like "The Cage" and "Rucker Park" to the next generation of streetball sanctuaries, like "Venice Beach". It all adds up to give Showdown a revolutionary style all its own.

Featuring NBA legends, today's top stars, and original characters from past editions, NBA STREET Showdown reaches new heights by making over-the-top, larger-than-life moves even bigger in this action-packed, arcade-style game. Customize your baller, build courts from the ground up, throw one down in an all-new dunk contest and go online to put your reputation to the test.

Rule the Streets: Take on the biggest stars of the NBA in full Street style, battle it out with a 3-on-3 game, or go on the ultimate quest to become a Street legend in the King of the Court mode.

Create Your Own Baller:Add your personal style to your created street baller and hold your own against the greatest legends in King of the Court mode.




NBA Street V3 -- By EA Sports. Released Feb 8, 2005: The highly-anticipated third chapter in the multi-platinum-selling NBA STREET series rises above the rim and expands on the customization and variety of game modes and gameplay that helps distinguish the franchise within EA's rich basketball portfolio. Gamers can build their reputation as they create the future of street basketball with all-new jaw-dropping, ankle-breaking, rim-shaking moves in visually stimulating environments, from favorite courts like "The Cage" and "Rucker Park" to the next generation of streetball sanctuaries, like "Venice Beach". It all adds up to give V3 a revolutionary style all its own.

Featuring NBA legends, today's top stars, and original characters from past editions, NBA STREET V3 reaches new heights by making over-the-top, larger-than-life moves even bigger in this action-packed, arcade-style game. Customize your baller, build courts from the ground up, throw one down in an all-new dunk contest and go online to put your reputation to the test.

Trick Stick: NBA STREET V3's all-new Trick Stick provides gamers with complete control of the rock. Perform crazy dribble tricks on demand by combining turbo buttons and pushing the right stick on your controller of choice in various directions. String together tricks into combos to build up to a jaw-dropping Gamebreaker moment.

Sweet Players, Big Game: Your favorite NBA heroes of past and present—hyper-real and larger-than-life—are at your fingertips. Choose from top stars on each of today's NBA teams, 25 NBA greats, and a cast of past STREET favorites.

Authentic Courts: V3 features twelve carefully modeled authentic courts from NYC to Cali to Europe, including Rucker, Venice Beach, Mosswood, and Brighton Beach. From courts set in the scorching summer sun to the harsh darkness of night, no detail is too small in this diverse collection of streetball's most hallowed grounds and hot up-and-coming sanctuaries.




InsideHoops.com coverage of basketball video games is expanding greatly soon, so stay tuned and check this page each time a new game comes out.