Well, if that first paragraph doesn't disqualify me from ever reviewing a basketball video game, I don't know what does…

But wait a minute - basketball is one of those totally US-centric sports that has occasionally made for a damn fine console gaming experience, so let's give it a chance, shall we? Yes I know, there are loads and loads of people who like the NBA and the game of Basketball in general in Europe (about 13 at the last count)…

   

Once you start to navigate the plethora of options and menu screens in NBA2K3 you realise that this is no half-arsed effort and that the Sega Sports label still means something. The comprehensive license means all the big stars appear on the team rosters, and some of the likenesses are really good too (just have a look at Michael Jordan). Quick games with up to 4 players can be set up in a trice, and virtually every facet and rule of the game can be tailored to suit your own preference - developers Visual Concepts wanted to keep everyone happy. More complex (and time consuming) modes include the Season, Franchise and Tournament modes, or there's an option to simulate an end-of-season from the 'Playoffs' stage, or just practice the various skills you'll need.

At first (and depending on your chosen team because the skill levels vary dramatically) as a BB game rookie you may struggle (even on the 'rookie' difficulty setting). I started on 'Pro' (there's an 'All Star' setting as well for real experts) and consistently got duffed up, so after 5 or 6 games changed to rookie and immediately started to have more success and thus enjoying myself more. Not that 'rookie' is a doddle either, and it's kind of refreshing to have a rookie setting that actually challenges you from the off and shows signs of real AI and skill (just witness any number of football games that don't ever manage to score or even tackle on the easier difficulty settings), and although your improving skills will soon mean that rookie is a little too easy, I think that reasonable success in your first season helps to encourage further play rather than put you off. With practice your players (who never managed to steal or get a turnover before) seem to become progressively cleverer and more skilful (but it's your improved tactical awareness and shooting/passing skill), and the whole game gets better as you improve.

With the massive popularity of 'Street' basketball games it's not surprising that they included a Street mode in NBA3K3, and it's rather good with a selection of courts and the ability to see Jordan, O'Neal and Bryant all shooting it out in their civvies.

A nice instinctive control system allows for some nippy but realistically paced play. The left stick moves the players and R3 fakes a pass. Press X to pass in the direction the player is facing, Square to shoot, O to crossover (change hands) and triangle to bring up the instant pass icons. It works superbly and the only lulls in play are when the game has a slightly exaggerated pause when a steal or turnover occurs. You also get additional 'freestyle' passing (you just tap the right stick in the direction you want the ball to go) and I found myself using a combination of three techniques before long. Passes, fakes and dunks are all easy and look great in the replay mode (that allows you to save your more spectacular dunks or cheeky speed dribbles). The only downer on the control side for me was the way free throws are controlled/aimed; I think it's disproportionately tricky as you have to bring the analog sticks together at precisely the same speed, and is without doubt more difficult than the real thing (much like Pro Evo Soccer's free kicks).

   

There's a strong management aspect to the game if you want it (stats go back to '87-'88 in some cases), and just about everything is configurable to your own requirements with simple slider gauges (if anything, there may be too many possibilities and options, which might put some gamers off, if that makes sense).

Graphics are pleasing rather than spectacular, with well-modelled players that genuinely look like their real life counterparts - Michael Jordan in particular is spookily lifelike. There's loads of complex position/context-sensitive motion capture (like backward passes between the legs and celebrations) to impress. There are better looking BB games out there but sometimes you've just got to sit and admire the overall effect. Its ESPN-style TV presentation before and during games looks and sounds authentic, and shows a lot of football games a clean pair of heels as far as quality of commentary and scene-setting goes.

Overall (and speaking as a rather apathetic console BB player) NBA2K3 is no great leap from last year's game and doesn't visually surpass its rivals, but as a comprehensive and accessible basketball game with excellent multiplayer options it's hard to beat. I know a lot of UK gamers haven't looked at an NBA game since the days of NBA Jam, so this game may be a good reason to give footie and Timesplitters 2 a rest and use that multitap for something else…