What's New

The NBA 2K series has gone from upstart to seasoned vet in a hurry, and like any critically acclaimed annual franchise, it needs to prove itself again and again. Therefore, we take a look at some of the substantial new features in this year's game that help separate it from its previous incarnations. What's new and what does it mean to you? Let's find out.

Dual Control
The man with the ball isn't the only player that's got a job to do, and in NBA 2K6 you'll be able to give orders to those without the rock using the Dual Control system. Select the player you want to perform a move and use the D-Pad to give them an order. Need Kevin Garnett to skip down to the post? No need to wait for the AI to get him there, just use Dual Control to get him down there so you can penetrate and pass, and set up a low block maneuver. Maybe you need to Shaq to set up a screen for Dwyane "Flash" Wade so can slash and shoot? It's the same deal. It's all available in a flash, and it's just the sort of on-the-fly control needed to accurately represent the dynamic flow of an NBA game.

Control Your Shot
Also new to this year's game is the Shot-Stick. Every sports game benefits from added control that allows for more precise movement. You want to feel like you made the shot, not the skill-ratings for the players being calculated in the background, and that's just what the Shot-Stick offers. You can use it to control your release point on a jumper, employ a fade-away, switch to a finger-roll instead of a dunk, etc.

Strip It!
We've been using a single button (sometimes two) to get steals for years now, but the Strip n Rip system allows you to use the Right Analog stick to manually control how you want to steal. Move it down as a post player charges by you for a quick swipe at the ball. Flick it another direction to reach around behind a player to try to knock it loose. Flip it in the direct of the ball during a long pass to try and snag it in mid-air. Again, much like the Shot-Stick, the Strip N Rip system allows for more precise control while adding a more immersive experience as your analog action are depicted in-game.

24/7, The Association, and VIP
Not all great features are new features, and some of the best, most revolutionary aspect of the NBA 2K series are back and in the middle of their prime.

• 24/7: Road to the EBC: Hit up this game mode for alternative to the classic single-player franchise mode in sports games. Customize your own player, engage in quick and addicting mini-games, and take on NBA and celebrity challenges as you embark on a long and glorious street ball career.
• The Association: The answer to franchise mode in NBA 2K6 is as deep as ever, and it's adding some substantial improvements to boot. You can now focus your attention and time on the development of one player, so that promising rookie you drafted can evolve into the superstar you thought he could be. You can also get down with specific drills for your team as you focus on some of the weaker areas. The team as a whole and the individual players you highlight are not static. Instead, they evolve into what you mold them to be.
• VIP: The VIP system follows your every move and tracks your every stat. It unearths the player within for all to see. Every wonder what it would be like to play against yourself? Pit yourself against a team controlled by your VIP profile. Better yet, download your buddies or other competitors VIP profiles so you can get some practice in and be ready for them next time. The VIP system controls the team based solely on the practices and tendencies of the player it belongs to.

NBA 2K6 is committed to a constant state of evolution and each year brings new innovation and a more immersive experience. With Dual Control, the Shot-Stick, Strip N Rip, and some old classic features that have been further fine-tuned, you've got a new version worth rooting for.

Article by Alex McLain