It's game time: our guide to basketball video games tabs the MVPs—and the turkeys

Basketball Digest, Jan, 2003 by Scott Steinberg

NOTHING BEATS THE FEEL OF sinking one at the buzzer. Except when you can do it at 3 a.m. in the comfort of your living room. More realistic and recreational than ever before, video games are finally beginning to capture the authentic hardwood feel. But choosing a first-round pick from the bench-warmers can be harder than it is to predict Dennis Rodman's next hair color. So relax, fire up the boob tube, and let us help you separate the champs from the chumps.

Slam Dunks

NBA 2K3

From: Sega Sports

For: GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox

Price: $49.99 (all)

www.segasports.com

Last year's top point scorer once again returns in ship-shape form. Impeccably realistic, NBA 2K3 hits all the high notes, from immaculately rendered player models to gameplay so smooth you could moonwalk on it. Some passing troubles plague the product, but can't fade the fact it's got game, so much so that once you start playing, putting NBA 2K3 down isn't an option. New ball fake moves, the addition of ESPN trappings, and a robust audio-visual makeover further complete the package, as does an enhanced street basketball option. Definitely on the short list of must-haves this season, NBA 2K3 also smacks of great promise in the coming year.

NBA Live 2003

From: EA Sports

For: PC, PSOne, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox

Price: $39.99 (PC/PSOne), $49.99 (others)

www.easports.com

Don't call it a comeback--call it a complete overhaul. After being unseated by NBA 2K2 last season, NBA Live 2003 regroups and drives hard for the hoop. Faster and less realistic than its chief rival for the top slot, it plays a mean game of b-ball. Fast breaks, funky dunks, run-and-gun maneuvers ... if speed's your addiction, this is the game to beat. That's especially true on the PC, where no competition exists. While the PSOne version can't hold a candle to its more technologically superior brethren, you won't go wrong picking up a copy for any platform.

NCAA College Basketball 2003

From: Sega Sports

For: GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox

Price: $49.99

www.segasports.com

Now this is some kind of team spirit. NCAA College Basketball 2003 captures the passion and pageantry (or the trash-talking authenticity of real grudges) with every Division I school modeled down to the last cheerleader, with stupendous online play options and spirited delivery. With the blessings of ESPN, it hits newfound levels of presentation quality, depicting over 300 teams in style. A comprehensive legacy mode and create-a-school and player features work wonders too; you'll even see the names of freshly designed recruits on school jerseys. Amazingly atmospheric and totally invigorating, NCAA College Basketball 2003 is just like the real thing, minus the stumbling hordes of drunken co-eds.

NCAA March Madness 2003

From: EA Sports

For: GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox

Price: $49. 99

www.easports.com

Classes, parties, multimillion-dollar contracts ... the stuff college ball, and NCAA March Madness 2003, are made of. Slick and gorgeous, its Dynasty mode should hold you rapt with unrivaled playability and a stunning presentation. Revamped controls make the game easier to pick up and master, a big positive as artificially intelligent opponents hold the zone with the style. Recreating both the college vibe and competitive spirit, NCAA March Madness 2003 will have you shouting in your seat as living room rivalries heat to the boiling point. As a bonus, never-before-seen video tidbits provide a running highlight reel, ensuring there's always something new to see and do once you hoist the gamepad.

Swishes

NBA Starting Five 2003

From: Konami

For: PlayStation 2/Xbox

Price: $39.99/$49.99

www.konami.com

Konami is known for Metal Gear Solid--not sports games. But NBA Starting Five isn't bad. For a beginner, the relatively basic franchise mode, create-a-player, and season play modes should prove acceptable. Although not as gorgeous or gregarious as the competition, NBA Starting Five lets you enjoy a reasonably entertaining turn as General Manager.

Coaching options include directing plays, substituting stars, and the right to curse out the TV after your squad starts getting tromped on. By no means All-Star material thanks to the whopping production values sported by this year's competition, armchair amateurs can still enjoy a rousing game with NBA Starting Five now and again.

Street Hoops

From: Activision

For: GameCube, PlayStation, Xbox

Price: $49.99

www.activision.com

Street Hoops is for those who like it raw. Putting fun above realism, this is pure back alley b-ball at its finest. Hit the blacktop as street legends like Hot Sauce or Half-Man, Half-Amazing, rock 10 courts to the sounds of Jay-Z, DMX, and Outkast. Play bears little in common with the authentic sport, being fully attuned to the hyperactive set--breezy, high-scoring games are the norm. As a bonus, you can bet on games for cash that can be spent outfitting ballers with fresh gear, hype hairdos, and a staggering array of tattoos. Not bad ... just not a prime poster boy for good sportsmanship.

NCAA Final Four 2003