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NBA 2K12 is definitely a game any basketball fan should own and a game that will keep you occupied until 2K13 is released at a minimum. If I had more online friends who played the game I know I would have enjoyed the online experience more than I did, so it's definitely a game you should check out if you know a few friends who would also play. Casual sports gamers should at least rent this game and see if it tickles your fancy. Swoosh!
85
Games Master UK
Slightly rocky in-game mechanics just stop this from slamdunking the competition. [Christmas 2011, p.65]
92
Pelit (Finland)
The NBA lockout is still in effect, but worry not – NBA 2K12 arrives to save the day of a sports fanatic. The Michael Jordan of basketball games looks, sounds and – most importantly of all – plays like the real thing. The controls are demanding, but once you get the hang of it, every other sports game feels inferior. The nostalgic "NBA's Greatest" game mode and addictive career mode complete the irresistible package. [Nov 2011]
9
TheChrisPhoenix
In my heart of hearts, I wish I could give this game a perfect 10 but in good conscience I just can't! This was the first 2K game I had played since I want to say 2K8, and while there was quite a bit of improvement..that after player 2K11 many years later I see more faults with this game. Including glitches, no rookies (too be fair that was more of an NBA thing not 2K thanks to the lockout) and the AI is just stupid in this game. Not a terrible 2K by any means, quite underrated(better than 2K13) but you can see 2K slipping a bit after what many consider the "Goat" 2K aka 2K11.
10
zkonedog
The last time I watched an entire professional basketball game was during the Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller, Malone/Stockton era. The last time I owned a basketball video game was NBA Jam for my Super Nintendo. Simply put, I'm just a baseball/football guy. Last week, however, my brother brought home this game and wanted to play a few games. I obliged, and quite surprisingly was **** in from the opening tip-off of that first game. Though I can't comment on the "frills" of this game (career mode, practice, etc.) as I will never use them, I have now played dozens of exhibitions against friends and have immensely enjoyed the experience. The biggest reason? The control scheme is very well designed (the key structure of any successful sports video game franchise). The controls are simple enough for beginners, yet "deep" enough for the seasoned vet to perfect his/her game. Thus, I was pleasantly surprised by this game and foresee more hours of fun with it in the future. Wheres 2K Sports have fallen way behind the curve in their baseball franchise, they are the "industry leader" in this NBA fare and I hope they continue into the future. Even if you aren't a "baller" you can still have fun with this one.
8
Rem
Nba 2k12 manages to prove that not only it can improve upon its predecessor, but it shows that this is the best version of basketball simulation to date. The presentation is improved significantly from 2k11, as I would sometimes mistake it for a real game on Tuesday night. The players animate better, and I found the controls easier to come into wit the new shot stick mechanic. What I remember most though, it the new My Player mode, which easily trumps 2k11's version. All in all, 2k12 proves that anyone can enjoy basketball. (probably not).

NBA 2K12

Released On: 
Oct 4, 2011
Metascore
must-play
90
User score
Generally Favorable
7.9
My Score
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Metascore
90
100% Positive
42 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
Oct 14, 2011
100
Giant Bomb
Were it not for the online issues, NBA 2K12 would be the closest thing to a "perfect" video game basketball experience we have yet come to. In fact, it still probably is. This is one of those rare sports games where the offline content nearly made me forget about the online component.
Oct 9, 2011
95
Everyeye.it
NBA 2K12 is simply the best sports simulation ever made. Visual Concept add freshness and a nostalgic feeling to the game with "The Greatest" mode and, in a totally unexpected way, changed the gameplay completely. Now NBA 2K12 is pure NBA basketball in your very hands.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.9
75% Positive
132 Ratings
16% Mixed
28 Ratings
9% Negative
15 Ratings
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
Mar 5, 2017
10
zkonedog
The last time I watched an entire professional basketball game was during the Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller, Malone/Stockton era. The last time I owned a basketball video game was NBA Jam for my Super Nintendo. Simply put, I'm just a baseball/football guy. Last week, however, my brother brought home this game and wanted to play a few games. I obliged, and quite surprisingly was **** in from the opening tip-off of that first game. Though I can't comment on the "frills" of this game (career mode, practice, etc.) as I will never use them, I have now played dozens of exhibitions against friends and have immensely enjoyed the experience. The biggest reason? The control scheme is very well designed (the key structure of any successful sports video game franchise). The controls are simple enough for beginners, yet "deep" enough for the seasoned vet to perfect his/her game. Thus, I was pleasantly surprised by this game and foresee more hours of fun with it in the future. Wheres 2K Sports have fallen way behind the curve in their baseball franchise, they are the "industry leader" in this NBA fare and I hope they continue into the future. Even if you aren't a "baller" you can still have fun with this one.
Sep 17, 2012
10
HoodNation
The best sports game out there. Its better than Madden and I really don't know if its better than FIFA but NBA 2K12 improves on everything 2K11 does and does it even better. 2K is now the king of basketball games.
Oct 10, 2011
92
GameTrailers
The additions to the my player mode alone are worth the price of admission, and those who grew up playing Lakers vs. Celtics and other classic 16-bit basketball games will love being able to play as their favorite athletes with a modern-day presentation. While the NBA's greatest mode could have benefitted from more depth, the improved gameplay means that NBA 2K12 has once again earned a spot in the starting lineup.
Oct 20, 2011
90
Worth Playing
On the whole, NBA 2K12 not only improves on last year's game with tighter controls and other incremental improvements, but 2K Sports has also delivered enhancements and revisions that matter.
Nov 2, 2011
88
XboxAddict
This game is the best basketball gaming experience out there already, and little things for in-game customization and the addition of a couple more gaming modes will only continue to make anybody think twice about trying to compete.
Oct 5, 2011
83
1UP
NBA 2K12 will have to settle for being the closest thing to perfect I've ever seen in an offline sports video game. But it could have done much more -- it could have saved our season.
Jan 31, 2012
75
Console Monster
NBA 2K12 is definitely a game any basketball fan should own and a game that will keep you occupied until 2K13 is released at a minimum. If I had more online friends who played the game I know I would have enjoyed the online experience more than I did, so it's definitely a game you should check out if you know a few friends who would also play. Casual sports gamers should at least rent this game and see if it tickles your fancy. Swoosh!
See All 42 Critic Reviews
May 2, 2012
10
Mattyice
Outstanding job by 2k, great updated graphics, new 2k share is awesome, great menu, great gameplay, great commentary, and all of the above. One of the best sports games ive ever played.
Jul 29, 2013
7
EJA
This game is really good for a couple reasons: 1) the character animations are fantastic and so is the presentation of the game 2) Teams play differently and you can recognize it 3) Playing games throughout history and learning from it is lots of fun 4) Players have unique skill sets and playing in the post is entertaining. This game also has some real issues to work out: 1) Momentum in the game is really overpowering. If your opponent has hit a few shots in a row you will NOT make an open jumper, lay-up, etc. If your quarter starts and your down 8-0 its gonna get worse. 2) Players generally miss open shots if you shoot too early in the shot clock; your punished for uptempo style 3) In Association mode, computer GM's make awful trades and sign free agents that make little sense. Teams will overstack with 3 starting point guards and pay not attention to their power forward. One team in particular had Kyrie Irving, drafted a top 5 point guard, and then signed Chris Paul in free agency.... Needless to say after a few years the league gets pretty whacky. 4) Drafting is a crapshoot. Unless you have a top 3 pick dont even bother. The system is shallow in that an overhyped prospect doesn't bust and you never find diamonds in the rough in later rounds. You also have no sense of your prospects game so the first couple years is a trial and error of shots, drives, and fails. The Graphics, Presentation, and general gameplay alone makes this game a 9.5 The flawed Association mode and now dead Online mode makes this game a 5 I'll go 7 in the middle.
Dec 20, 2011
7
Ishman
Awesome, But really doesn't do much more than 2k11, I realize this a sports game so that comes with the territory, I personally hardly notice a difference from 11 to 12. I don't think its worthy of all the praise heaped upon it. Multiplayer is Lagged out to the Max also, which should have been fixed from last year. If you like Ball, you will enjoy this, especially if you haven't played a basketball game in years. It is the NBA Live Killer after all.
Nov 20, 2011
4
MadW
Don't buy this game. this game cheats as hell, last game I did I lost for actual cpu cheating. In the 3rd quarter, most of the shots (unguarded) were missed by my team, and the other team recovered and won the game hitting incredible shots (not mentioning the unrealistic mass of turnovers I always get in every single game). I will re-sell this **** out. I'm creating a 3pt specialized pg, I've been able to make it a very good player even in rookie season because I get good scores every game. But it frustrates you with stupid and unrealistic ingame glitches that make you almost throw away the pad. Only one word: crap 5/10
Nov 20, 2011
4
kotwr424
Its a fun game but its just a carbon with some new features and those new features have ruined a lot of the fun in the game for me and many other gamer's.
See All 175 User Reviews
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SummaryThe NBA 2k Franchise is back with NBA 2K12.
Rated Efor Everyone
  • Wii
  • PSP
  • Xbox 360
  • PlayStation 3
  • PlayStation 2
  • PC
  • iOS (iPhone/iPad)
Oct 4, 2011
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