This has given me a whole new perspective on NBA games. Only ever played the NBA street series, but this really shows how much heart Marcus put into perfecting the game - what an incredible fella.
NBA Street vol 2 and Homecourt are SO good. Yeah Marcus was a super influential guy on the team, but it was a shame the VC team weren't available for comment. Either way I was so excited to tell this story in more detail. The BIG thing that didn't make it into the video is the whole backstory with SEGA and EA with sports games on the Genesis and then EA and SEGA not being able to come to a deal to make sports games for the Dreamcast. Was going to make the video too long and be too much of a rabbit hole.
Really excellent work. I'm glad you've kept at doing this interview-driven content despite not getting a lot of attention for it. I've really wanted to look into the evolution of sports games in the past and this one presented a ton of interesting ideas! I can tell you're a big fan of the sport and seeking out the developer insight made this much more real than most other gaming documentaries. Keep it up.
Thank you! I thought maybe it'd find an audience but such is the way with TH-cam. My content has been struggling as of late. But that's not why I do the channel, of course, it's a hobby and passion. Thanks for taking a look :) Had a blast making this video.
By getting access to people who directly worked on these games, your channel rises above 99% of other game-analysis youtubers. And as a reporter for 7+ years I know how hard it is to get that access. Mad respect. Keep on reporting. If you ever want a second set of eyes before publishing / feel stuck w/ your script, let me know. As much as I hate editors getting their dirty hands all over my copy, I have to admit the collaborative process almost always improves the final product. Anyway good luck.
I appreciate that offer man, I actually don't have much of any help making these videos. I'd love some feedback on videos/scripts before completing them.
Amazing retrospective. I was a huge NBA and NBA video game fan as a kid (still am) and was 10 when NBA 2K came out. It absolutely blew my mind at the time. Was really cool to get some behind the scenes info on such a pivotal part of my childhood. The interviews were a fantastic touch and learning about NBA Action was great as well. Glad I found your channel and keep up the great work!
Great video! I was a hoops-loving game journalist for 8 years. Used to go to E3 and play Derrick in the new game at the Sega booth every year and get his rundown. It was how I closed out several E3 shows.
This is an amazing video, as always. You nail these stories every time, bringing something interesting to the table, not just getting the devs, but building the whole narrative and setting the stage. Don't usually comment too much, but just wanted to say great work.
I'm not really a basketball fan or a fan of basketball games, but this was still a great peek into some interesting gaming history. I know way more about NBA games now than I did before, which is a real testament to your presentation and the quality of your work. I'm glad you were able to finish the video, and as always, really appreciate your videos!
Within 3 years I saw the games that blew my mind the most out of anything I’ve ever seen: nba 2k, madden 01 on ps2, mgs2, gta 3, halo. Like I was TRIPPING when I first saw/played these games.
Bringing the devs to tell how and why these games nailed it so much at the time is just the right and better way to make the point that you made at the end of the video. The sports games industry is in total crisis this days in my opinion. If you look at soccer and football games you will see exactly what I'm talking about.
It's really sad how microtransactions rule the sports games development today. Soccer games use to be competitive and fun... now FIFA is the same every year and Konami killed PES leaving just the mobile version which is like FIFA for phones... its just sad
Agree 100% my friend. It would be so good to have some proper competition in this space. 2K has earned its place, but a true competitor plus push the whole genre forward at a much faster rate. I still love 2K but would be excited to see what the genre could do if it weren’t entirely live-service focused. Bring back something akin to the LeBron fantasy mode from 2K14 for starters! Leverage the crazy scenarios you could play around with in a fantasy setting.
@@GuiZeiraZ I mean NBA 2K22 is the best up to date option given its the ONLY option with current rosters. Otherwise if you're not adverse to tracking down old games or emulation: - NBA 2K on Dreamcast - NBA Live 2005 on PS2 - NBA Live 2010 on 360/PS3 (RPCS3 on PC runs great) - NBA 2K11 (I haven't looked into it much, but I've seen the modding scene for this is insane) - NBA Jam: On Fire Edition 360/PS3 (RPCS3, again, is the best option)
Great video. I use to love NBA action '98/NBA fastbreak '98 (the same game, different name on PS1) growing up. while I thought live 98 was the better of the 2, I thought fastbreak felt more like a simulation and eventually was the game I played the most. I brought it from my friend who thought it was trash, lol.
One of the reasons that made NBA 2K better and caused EA to step up at gameplay was healthy competition itself. Once EA bought exclusive license for Madden, sports games slowly began their downfall. Then NHL, MLB and NBA games became monopoly and now people are stuck with one game for each sport.
2K sports is my favorite company for video games especially sports ones. I believe if 2K had the NFL They could make a way better game than EA. It would be just as popular and the NFL should pick up on that
NBA live was trash that’s why after it never came back 2K was the best basketball game. Evidently now what is it NBA 2K 24 and if EA wasn’t so scared they wouldn’t of bought the license for the football because NFL 2K five was Way better than Madden. It still is better than Madden, but in 2026 the exclusive right for Madden ends, so 2K will be right back with the best football game ever just like the best basketball game ever.
If only people like Marcus could affect the 2k sports series again.
Thank you for making content again man! My condolences and I wish you the best.
Appreciate that my dude! Thanks for taking a look :D
This has given me a whole new perspective on NBA games. Only ever played the NBA street series, but this really shows how much heart Marcus put into perfecting the game - what an incredible fella.
NBA Street vol 2 and Homecourt are SO good. Yeah Marcus was a super influential guy on the team, but it was a shame the VC team weren't available for comment. Either way I was so excited to tell this story in more detail.
The BIG thing that didn't make it into the video is the whole backstory with SEGA and EA with sports games on the Genesis and then EA and SEGA not being able to come to a deal to make sports games for the Dreamcast. Was going to make the video too long and be too much of a rabbit hole.
I'm so glad to see this channel making a comeback
Woohoo thanks dude! Happy to have something new to share :)
Really excellent work. I'm glad you've kept at doing this interview-driven content despite not getting a lot of attention for it.
I've really wanted to look into the evolution of sports games in the past and this one presented a ton of interesting ideas! I can tell you're a big fan of the sport and seeking out the developer insight made this much more real than most other gaming documentaries. Keep it up.
Thanks for taking a look friend! Appreciate the support.
Highly underrated video
Thank you! I thought maybe it'd find an audience but such is the way with TH-cam. My content has been struggling as of late.
But that's not why I do the channel, of course, it's a hobby and passion.
Thanks for taking a look :) Had a blast making this video.
By getting access to people who directly worked on these games, your channel rises above 99% of other game-analysis youtubers. And as a reporter for 7+ years I know how hard it is to get that access. Mad respect. Keep on reporting.
If you ever want a second set of eyes before publishing / feel stuck w/ your script, let me know. As much as I hate editors getting their dirty hands all over my copy, I have to admit the collaborative process almost always improves the final product. Anyway good luck.
I appreciate that offer man, I actually don't have much of any help making these videos. I'd love some feedback on videos/scripts before completing them.
Amazing retrospective. I was a huge NBA and NBA video game fan as a kid (still am) and was 10 when NBA 2K came out. It absolutely blew my mind at the time. Was really cool to get some behind the scenes info on such a pivotal part of my childhood. The interviews were a fantastic touch and learning about NBA Action was great as well. Glad I found your channel and keep up the great work!
Thanks so much man! Appreciate you taking a look and glad it was of interest 🙂
Great video!
I was a hoops-loving game journalist for 8 years. Used to go to E3 and play Derrick in the new game at the Sega booth every year and get his rundown. It was how I closed out several E3 shows.
Wow what a crazy story. Thanks so much for taking a look, appreciate it :)
@@GameBrainOfficial I liked it a lot. I’ve maybe only seen one of your previous videos. Will definitely check out more. Subscribed, too.
This is an amazing video, as always. You nail these stories every time, bringing something interesting to the table, not just getting the devs, but building the whole narrative and setting the stage. Don't usually comment too much, but just wanted to say great work.
I appreciate this SO much, thanks for taking a look and for the kind words, means a lot :)
I'm not really a basketball fan or a fan of basketball games, but this was still a great peek into some interesting gaming history. I know way more about NBA games now than I did before, which is a real testament to your presentation and the quality of your work. I'm glad you were able to finish the video, and as always, really appreciate your videos!
Thanks so much for the kind words friend! Appreciate you taking a look 🙂
Within 3 years I saw the games that blew my mind the most out of anything I’ve ever seen: nba 2k, madden 01 on ps2, mgs2, gta 3, halo. Like I was TRIPPING when I first saw/played these games.
Just shared this. Great video
Appreciate that dude! Thanks so much for the share.
Bringing the devs to tell how and why these games nailed it so much at the time is just the right and better way to make the point that you made at the end of the video. The sports games industry is in total crisis this days in my opinion. If you look at soccer and football games you will see exactly what I'm talking about.
It's really sad how microtransactions rule the sports games development today. Soccer games use to be competitive and fun... now FIFA is the same every year and Konami killed PES leaving just the mobile version which is like FIFA for phones... its just sad
Agree 100% my friend. It would be so good to have some proper competition in this space. 2K has earned its place, but a true competitor plus push the whole genre forward at a much faster rate.
I still love 2K but would be excited to see what the genre could do if it weren’t entirely live-service focused.
Bring back something akin to the LeBron fantasy mode from 2K14 for starters! Leverage the crazy scenarios you could play around with in a fantasy setting.
@@GameBrainOfficial which are the NBA games that you most recommend?
@@GuiZeiraZ I mean NBA 2K22 is the best up to date option given its the ONLY option with current rosters.
Otherwise if you're not adverse to tracking down old games or emulation:
- NBA 2K on Dreamcast
- NBA Live 2005 on PS2
- NBA Live 2010 on 360/PS3 (RPCS3 on PC runs great)
- NBA 2K11 (I haven't looked into it much, but I've seen the modding scene for this is insane)
- NBA Jam: On Fire Edition 360/PS3 (RPCS3, again, is the best option)
2K was smooth as butter in ‘99. Played a free demo of NBA Action 98 on PC and it did wet my appetite!
This is such a well made and informative video! I love hearing stories from the people who actually worked on the game.
Excellent video, well made - I wasn't the biggest sports game fan, but this was very interesting to watch
Hell yeah
Thanks for the vid
Thanks for watching friend!
Aye man excellent video. I would love to see a vid on the details of movement mechanics as it developed over the years.
Well done 👍 Deserves alot more views.
Great video. I use to love NBA action '98/NBA fastbreak '98 (the same game, different name on PS1) growing up. while I thought live 98 was the better of the 2, I thought fastbreak felt more like a simulation and eventually was the game I played the most. I brought it from my friend who thought it was trash, lol.
One of the reasons that made NBA 2K better and caused EA to step up at gameplay was healthy competition itself.
Once EA bought exclusive license for Madden, sports games slowly began their downfall. Then NHL, MLB and NBA games became monopoly and now people are stuck with one game for each sport.
Great video!
Thanks my dude, appreciate it!
Brain, do you have the full interviews with Matthews and the other man somewhere? I would like to listen
2K sports is my favorite company for video games especially sports ones. I believe if 2K had the NFL They could make a way better game than EA. It would be just as popular and the NFL should pick up on that
I was 14 in 99 and we all new nba2k was better then EA I loved this game on the Dreamcast
❤❤❤
I knew that
☹️ ?яⓞ??Ş?
NBA live was trash that’s why after it never came back 2K was the best basketball game. Evidently now what is it NBA 2K 24 and if EA wasn’t so scared they wouldn’t of bought the license for the football because NFL 2K five was Way better than Madden. It still is better than Madden, but in 2026 the exclusive right for Madden ends, so 2K will be right back with the best football game ever just like the best basketball game ever.
You do know that license has ended and been re-upped many times, right? 2026 will be no different.