NBA Unrivaled Impressions

by pastapadre
Posted November 11th, 2009 at 10:44 am

nbaunrivaled2

It would be one thing if NBA Unrivaled was 400 MS points/$5 but it isn’t. The downloadable only game for XBLA and PSN is asking for 1200 MS points/$15. It appears that the sole reason for the is the use of the NBA license because there is nothing else about the game that could justify such a price. Luckily as with every downloadable game a free trial is offered. The trial includes the Lakers vs Magic with two minute quarters.

Yes, NBA Unrivaled does include the NBA license meaning it includes the real teams and players. That is of very little consequence though because it is quite possibly the worst game I’ve played this generation. Tecmo was going for a retro arcade feel which is fine and for people who grew up on games like Tecmo NBA Basketball and NBA Jam there is still some appeal to that. Unfortunately while those games were fun this one is not at all.

The NBA license really doesn’t mean much. The players have real names but they are hardly distinguishable due to the graphics and play on the court. The jerseys are recognizable due to the colors and the court has the team logo. Outside of those things the license doesn’t make the game any better than it would have been otherwise. It may have actually been better without it and would have certainly been cheaper.

Player movement does use the left analog but is basically comparable to using the D-Pad. There is no momentum at all so passing means stopping and jumping means going straight up. The animations (if they can even be called that) for aspects of the game such as the shots or rebounds are ridiculously bad.

On offense the best strategy seemed to be to run around until the player being controlled has the X button icon pop up over their head. When that happens hitting X takes the player into an unstoppable special dunk. On defense it is basically about running around wildly and swiping for the ball, though there is a risk of committing fouls. The game uses a momentum system which provides boosts to the team that is on a roll. I never really saw this take place.

Since it is difficult to actually see what player has the ball or proximity to an opposing player there are a lot of steals made. There is really no sense that a steal has actually taken place outside of a sound effect that indicates so.

After firing up the trial to give the game a chance it was one game and done. NBA Unrivaled has no redeeming value and it is unlikely that anyone will actually find it enjoyable to play. There is one accomplishment that NBA Unrivaled could lay claim to…it is so terrible that it can unite fans of NBA 2K10 and NBA Live 10 in criticism of it.

Tags: Videos

TT15

Wow, I'm bored just watching this video.
TT15

Wow, I'm bored just watching this video.
http://twitter.com/Maddenholics @Maddenholics

EA Sports is making a lot of these mini games lately lol.

http://intensedebate.com/people/rezluk Rezluk

Tecmo makes this game and wow they should stick to making horse racing games this is awful lol wowwww

http://twitter.com/Maddenholics @Maddenholics

EA Sports is making a lot of these mini games lately lol.

http://intensedebate.com/people/rezluk Rezluk

Tecmo makes this game and wow they should stick to making horse racing games this is awful lol wowwww

Ramen Padre

WHAT??!?!?! Pasta's bashing an EA Game?!?!?

*mind = blown*
Ramen Padre

WHAT??!?!?! Pasta's bashing an EA Game?!?!?

*mind = blown*
Lake Allen

Why are people making comments about EA? At least when they put out an arcade game like 3 on 3 NHL Arcade it is respectable.

bro

that game sucked bro

Lake Allen

Why are people making comments about EA? At least when they put out an arcade game like 3 on 3 NHL Arcade it is respectable.

bro

that game sucked bro

skewu

what a joke this is. i cant believe theyre trying to rip people off for this piece of crap
skewu

what a joke this is. i cant believe theyre trying to rip people off for this piece of crap
ATL

The music makes me feel like I'm there.
ATL

The music makes me feel like I'm there.
Guru

Hell will freeze over before Pasta ever talks about an EA game like this. He would then have to ask his parents to pay for his games. Am still waiting for EAPasta to write an article bashing EA for their lack of info or delay with the second madden patch or the horrible first patch for live that made the game worst.

But one thing we can expect is a full blown bash fest of any future 2k games and more nut stroking for EA games. What a great site for unbias opinions this one is.

eZe

LOL there are still 2K fanboys???

Guru

Hell will freeze over before Pasta ever talks about an EA game like this. He would then have to ask his parents to pay for his games. Am still waiting for EAPasta to write an article bashing EA for their lack of info or delay with the second madden patch or the horrible first patch for live that made the game worst.

But one thing we can expect is a full blown bash fest of any future 2k games and more nut stroking for EA games. What a great site for unbias opinions this one is.

eZe

LOL there are still 2K fanboys???

larry

pretty simple. ea doesnt put out games like this. and 2k deserves all the crap they are getting for games like mlb 2k9 and nba 2k10 that dont even work properly
larry

pretty simple. ea doesnt put out games like this. and 2k deserves all the crap they are getting for games like mlb 2k9 and nba 2k10 that dont even work properly
tincup

played it for about 5 minutes what a travesty. the NBA let them make this?

http://intensedebate.com/people/okafor43 okafor43

Economy is that bad that Nba gave them a license for this crap??

tincup

played it for about 5 minutes what a travesty. the NBA let them make this?

http://intensedebate.com/people/okafor43 okafor43

Economy is that bad that Nba gave them a license for this crap??

Bisett

Is this a joke?

Is this really a game?

NBA Jam is way better and that was like what 1994 LOL!
Bisett

Is this a joke?

Is this really a game?

NBA Jam is way better and that was like what 1994 LOL!
Chris

Yea this game is garbage but what do you expect? It's not like it's trying to compete with Live or 2K so just take it for what it is a DOWNLOADABLE game!
Chris

Yea this game is garbage but what do you expect? It's not like it's trying to compete with Live or 2K so just take it for what it is a DOWNLOADABLE game!
GoMagic

I didnt know Jameer Nelson was white….
GoMagic

I didnt know Jameer Nelson was white….
King206

Is it just me or does this seem like this is harshest impression made by Pasta? If it was made by EA instead of tecmo would you still type " NBA Unrivaled has no redeeming value and it is unlikely that anyone will actually find it enjoyable to play." and type something subliminal instead? How much is EA paying you Pasta? JK. I haven't played the demo yet but you convinced me by reading your impression that this game sucks more than Jenna Haze and Bree Olsen combined.

Nutzilla

Did you watch the video dude? I think Pasta was dead on with his statement. Your statement, on the other hand, is the most retarded thing I've ever read…

King206

Is it just me or does this seem like this is harshest impression made by Pasta? If it was made by EA instead of tecmo would you still type " NBA Unrivaled has no redeeming value and it is unlikely that anyone will actually find it enjoyable to play." and type something subliminal instead? How much is EA paying you Pasta? JK. I haven't played the demo yet but you convinced me by reading your impression that this game sucks more than Jenna Haze and Bree Olsen combined.

Nutzilla

Did you watch the video dude? I think Pasta was dead on with his statement. Your statement, on the other hand, is the most retarded thing I've ever read…

bonez24

OMG!!!! thats the worst fucking game evet made,and ive ever played,lol
bonez24

OMG!!!! thats the worst fucking game evet made,and ive ever played,lol
Ovr23

Does anyone even read the article anymore? What was with all the EA mentions in the first comments…

Meanwhile besides 3 v 3 NHL Arcade what else is there to compare this to? Nothing until Madden Arcade comes out. Either way this really is awful and horribly overpriced.
Ovr23

Does anyone even read the article anymore? What was with all the EA mentions in the first comments…

Meanwhile besides 3 v 3 NHL Arcade what else is there to compare this to? Nothing until Madden Arcade comes out. Either way this really is awful and horribly overpriced.
Geezy

wow that looks bad!
Geezy

wow that looks bad!
Nytecap

This game just single handedly ruined my entire week!!
Nytecap

This game just single handedly ruined my entire week!!
pastapedro

fake ass space jam
pastapedro

fake ass space jam
Blue Knight

EA did not make this game, Tecmo did yeesh. People find reasons to bash EA, if you actually read the article you see how TECMO made the game
Blue Knight

EA did not make this game, Tecmo did yeesh. People find reasons to bash EA, if you actually read the article you see how TECMO made the game
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=11830173 Calvin Brinkley III

I couldn't even watch the whole video.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=11830173 Calvin Brinkley III

I couldn't even watch the whole video.
SethRogan

Techmo not EA
Badger

Pure shite.

But funny how the floors in this game look better then they ever have in 2k or Nba live
Badger

Pure shite.

But funny how the floors in this game look better then they ever have in 2k or Nba live
Billy

I am 1 of 6 people in the world who bought it. The leaderboard shows all who bought the game. I actually like the game.
Billy

I am 1 of 6 people in the world who bought it. The leaderboard shows all who bought the game. I actually like the game.
Theprocess

Nothing could make me unite with a 2k player. Ea for life. I'm just kidding, I don't care really Care who plays what. Last year…2k9. This year live 10, but next year…unrivaled 2 that game is going to be sick! Not!
Theprocess

Nothing could make me unite with a 2k player. Ea for life. I'm just kidding, I don't care really Care who plays what. Last year…2k9. This year live 10, but next year…unrivaled 2 that game is going to be sick! Not!
Mike

wow, this might be better than NBA Live 10
Mike

wow, this might be better than NBA Live 10
http://intensedebate.com/people/Bl4ziNbuLLd0G Bl4ziNbuLLd0G

its unrivaled because no other game sucks this bad…….