The very first NBA 2K, laying the groundwork for a legendary saga. Snappy gameplay, careful modelling and a tangible NBA atmosphere. A solid classic for basketball fans.
Your verdict
Category
Sports4 players3+
Description
NBA teams clash in ultra-realistic basketball matches in this first Visual Concepts NBA 2K. Published by Sega, released in Japan in March 2000. Basketball simulation with licensed NBA teams, advanced physics model, championship and full season modes. Japanese version.
The Japanese edition of NBA 2K is the local pressing of the Visual Concepts simulator, distributed by Sega in a notoriously limited print, the Japanese market being little receptive to basketball or American football. Regional scarcity makes it one of the hardest versions to find complete in box.
Better with friends
Basketball that's both snappy and readable, cut out for four-pad games where you swing the ball around and chase the game-winner at the buzzer. The fun comes from the tempo, the spectacular blocks and the trash talk after a well-earned dunk. Easy to fire up for a quick match, it turns every game into a pride duel among friends.
Is NBA 2K still worth playing in 2026?
The first entry in Visual Concepts' NBA 2K series, this title made waves with the fluidity of its animation and a level of team intelligence unprecedented on console at the time. Without reaching the polish of the sequels, the game already delivers a fine ball feel and a convincing television style presentation. Now eclipsed by modern iterations, it retains a real heritage value for understanding how the franchise overtook NBA Live on the Sega machine in that era.
