he reigning hoops champ hasn’t taken any time off to enjoy its success, and the result is the continuation of a basketball dynasty that rivals the likes of Bird’s Celtics and Jordan’s Bulls.

In many ways, NBA 2K8 is a hardcore hardwood fan’s dream. If you’re into running and gunning, you’re probably better off playing NBA Live; this is a thinking man’s game. With its retooled AI, you must mix up defenses, feed your hot shooters, and run effective offensive plays to win. Keep dishing to a cold shooter, spend too much time in isolation offense, or stay in man-to-man defense all game and you’re in for a long night. The new AI is so cutthroat that newcomers may find the gameplay too brutal. You will pay for leaving stars open, and role players can also burn you when left unguarded. Holding an opposing team to under 50 percent shooting on the pro difficulty setting may be a goal in and of itself for newbies. 

Thankfully, the game features great court controls to counter the tough opposition. The dribbling mechanic is best in class, the new off-the-ball controls allow you to set up quick plays without the hassle of running complicated set pieces, and the hot zone icon will help you find your players’ sweet spots. The only snag in the action is the quirky post play, which isn’t as versatile or easy to master as NBA Live’s system.

NBA 2K8 ditches the 24/7 mode in favor of the new NBA Blacktop mode, which features a slam dunk contest, three-point shootout, and pickup games with hoops stars and celebrities. The Association is back and is still the deepest franchise mode you’ll find. This year focuses on managing team personalities. Your coaching and front office decisions will affect how players feel about the organization. This turn can affect team chemistry, your ability to resign players, and your attractiveness to free agents.

While NBA 2K8 may have some kinks to work out in its post game, it’s still the best basketball sim on the market.