NBA Unrivaled is a sports-simulation video game developed by Vancouver-based[3] studio A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. Games and published by Tecmo.
| NBA Unrivaled | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. Games |
| Publisher(s) | Tecmo |
| Director(s) | Murray McCarron |
| Producer(s) | Ray Murakawa Michael Fahrny |
| Designer(s) | Sandy Spangler |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360 PlayStation 3 |
| Release | Xbox 360 November 11, 2009 PlayStation 3 |
| Genre(s) | Sports-simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
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The gameplay revolves around controlling a team of basketball players and competing against either AI-controlled teams or other players in online multiplayer matches. Players have the opportunity to select from a roster of real-life NBA players, each with their unique skills, strengths, and playstyles.[4]
Players can play as players such as Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Shaquille O'Neal.
The game offers various modes, including exhibition matches, tournaments, and season modes, allowing players to engage in different basketball experiences. In exhibition matches, players can quickly jump into a game for a casual play session. At the same time, tournaments and season modes offer more in-depth and long-term gameplay experiences with progression elements such as team management, player development, and season standings.
NBA Unrivaled uses realistic basketball mechanics, aiming to capture the pace, intensity, and tactics of real NBA games. Players can dribble, pass, shoot, and defend using intuitive controls that aim to replicate playing basketball on a real court. The game also features commentary and crowd reactions, enhancing the atmosphere and immersion during matches.
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| PS3 | Xbox 360 | |
| Metacritic | 24/100[5] | 25/100[6] |
| Publication | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| PS3 | Xbox 360 | |
| 1Up.com | N/A | D−[6] |
| GamePro |   [7] | N/A |
| GameSpot | N/A | 2/10[8] |
| GameZone | N/A | 5.5/10[9] |
| IGN | 2.5/10[10] | 2.5/10[11] |
| PlayStation Official Magazine – UK | 1/10[12] | N/A |
| Official Xbox Magazine (US) | N/A | 1.5/10[13] |
| PSM3 | 63%[14] | N/A |
| TeamXbox | N/A | 2/10[15] |
NBA Unrivaled received "generally unfavorable reviews" on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5][6]
Brett Todd of GameSpot said of the Xbox 360 version, "What's most surprising about NBA Unrivaled is that it made it out to the public. Regardless of how you feel about basketball and retro basketball arcade games, you should avoid this game at all costs."[8] GameZone said of the same console version, "For the high price mark of $15 you're just not getting enough. The gameplay is good when played correctly, but that same lack of lenience in play style is also a deficiency. Most players will not be able to find enough value to make it worth their purchase."[9] Official Xbox Magazine called it "the worst sports game in Xbox history!"[13] PlayStation Official Magazine – UK said, "you should try playing this only to laugh at its total, across-the-board incompetence, but it'd be like recommending you throw eight quid into the bin and then roll around naked and giggling in a pile of your own feces. Unrivaled indeed."[12]
References
edit- ^ "NBA Unrivaled (PS3)". Push Square. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ^ "NBA Unrivaled - PlayStation 3". GameSpy. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ^ Joudrey, Jesse (September 27, 2013). "Small Studio, Big Decisions: OPM = Opium". Game Developer. Informa. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ GameSpot staff (June 2, 2009). "Tecmo tips off NBA Unrivaled". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ a b "NBA Unrivaled critic reviews (PS3)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c "NBA Unrivaled critic reviews (X360)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ de Matos, Xav (April 6, 2010). "Downloadable Games Round-Up: 03/28 - 04/03". GamePro. GamePro Media. Archived from the original on April 9, 2010. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Todd, Brett (November 30, 2009). "NBA Unrivaled Review (X360)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ a b Groen, Andrew (November 16, 2009). "NBA Unrivaled - 360 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on November 19, 2009. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ Ahearn, Nate (April 5, 2010). "NBA Unrivaled Review (PS3)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ Ahearn, Nate (November 13, 2009). "NBA Unrivaled Review (X360)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
- ^ a b "NBA Unrivaled". PlayStation Official Magazine – UK. Future plc. September 2010. p. 115.
- ^ a b "NBA Unrivaled". Official Xbox Magazine. Future US. February 2010. p. 88.
- ^ "Review: NBA Unrivaled". PSM3. Future plc. September 2010. p. 94.
- ^ Price, Tom (November 12, 2009). "NBA Unrivaled Review (Xbox 360)". TeamXbox. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 14, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2024.