NBA Inside Drive
{{Infobox video game series
| width =
| title = NBA Inside Drive
| collapsible =
| state =
| image =
| caption =
| platforms = Microsoft Windows, Xbox
| developer = High Voltage Software
| publisher = Microsoft, Microsoft Studios
| genre =
| spinoffs =
| first release version = NBA Inside Drive 2000
| first release date =
| latest release version = NBA Inside Drive 2004
| latest release date =
}}
NBA Inside Drive is a series of video games based on National Basketball Association, published by Microsoft Studios. Its main competition was NBA Live, a series from Electronic Arts.
Games
| class="wikitable" | ||||
| Name | Release Date | Systems | Cover Athlete | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="text-align: center; top" | NBA Inside Drive 2000
| August 26, 1999 | ||||
| style="text-align: center; top" | NBA Inside Drive 2002
| January 23, 2002 | rowspan='3' | Xbox | ||||
| style="text-align: center; top" | NBA Inside Drive 2003
| October 15, 2002 | ||||
| style="text-align: center; top" | NBA Inside Drive 2004
| November 18, 2003 |
=''NBA Inside Drive 2000''=
{{Infobox video game
|title = NBA Inside Drive 2000
|image =
|developer = High Voltage Software
|publisher = Microsoft
|designer =
|engine =
|released = {{vgrelease|NA|August 26, 1999{{cite web |last=Fudge |first=James |date=August 18, 1999 |url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/022/050/nba2000.html |title=NBA Inside Drive 2000 Shipping August 26 |website=Computer Games Strategy Plus |publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030524191011/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/022/050/nba2000.html |archivedate=May 24, 2003 |accessdate=December 22, 2019}}}}
|genre = Sports, Simulation
|modes = Single-player, multiplayer
|platforms = Microsoft Windows
}}
The first game in the series, NBA Inside Drive 2000, was released for Microsoft Windows on August 26, 1999.
==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| title = NBA Inside Drive 2000
| align = left
| GR = 75%{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/177077-nba-inside-drive-2000/index.html |title=NBA Inside Drive for PC |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205212804/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/177077-nba-inside-drive-2000/index.html |archivedate=December 5, 2019 |accessdate=December 22, 2019}}
| CNG = 7/10{{cite web |last=Schuytema |first=Paul |date=September 28, 1999 |url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-3205,00.html |title=NBA Inside Drive 2000 |website=Gamecenter |publisher=CNET |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816073815/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-3205,00.html |archivedate=August 16, 2000 |accessdate=June 1, 2021}}
| CGW = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Jones |first=Eric |url=https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_185.pdf |title=Billy Ball (NBA Inside Drive 2000 Review) |magazine=Computer Gaming World |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=185 |date=December 1999 |page=154 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213083620/https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_185.pdf |archivedate=February 13, 2023 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}
| GameRev = C+{{cite web |last=Silverman |first=Ben |date=October 1999 |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33148-nba-inside-drive-2000-review |title=NBA Inside Drive 2000 Review |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919085803/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/nba-inside-drive-2000 |archivedate=September 19, 2015 |url-status=live |accessdate=December 22, 2019}}
| GSpot = 7/10{{cite web |last=Poole |first=Stephen |date=September 9, 1999 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/nba-inside-drive-2000-review/1900-2543763/ |title=NBA Inside Drive 2000 Review [date mislabeled as "May 1, 2000"] |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010112064800/http://www.zdnet.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2543763,00.html |archivedate=January 12, 2001 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}
| IGN = 6.5/10{{cite web |last=Haggarty |first=Mark |date=September 21, 1999 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/09/22/nba-inside-drive-2000 |title=NBA Inside Drive 2000 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718171123/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/09/22/nba-inside-drive-2000 |archivedate=July 18, 2024 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}
| PCA = 6/10{{cite magazine |author=PCA staff |url=https://archive.org/details/PCXL15Nov1999/page/n111/mode/2up |title=NBA Inside Drive 2000 |magazine=PC Accelerator |publisher=Imagine Media |issue=15 |date=November 1999 |page=112 |accessdate=February 10, 2021}}
| PCGUK = 67%{{cite magazine |last=Buxton |first=Chris |url=http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_review_page.asp?item_id=2515 |title=NBA Inside Drive 2000 |magazine=PC Gamer UK |publisher=Future Publishing |issue=76 |date=December 1999 |page=109 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020219092731/http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_review_page.asp?item_id=2515 |archivedate=February 19, 2002 |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}
| PCGUS = 76%{{cite magazine |last=Goble |first=Gordon |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/nba_inside_driv.html |title=NBA Inside Drive 2000 |magazine=PC Gamer |publisher=Imagine Media |volume=6 |issue=12 |date=December 1999 |page=138 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060315140905/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/nba_inside_driv.html |archivedate=March 15, 2006 |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}
| PCZone = 86%{{cite magazine |last=Hill |first=Mark |url=https://archive.org/details/PC_Zone_82_November_1999/page/n93/mode/2up |title=NBA Inside Drive 2000 |magazine=PC Zone |publisher=Dennis Publishing |issue=82 |date=November 1999 |page=92 |accessdate=February 10, 2021}}
}}
NBA Inside Drive 2000 received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.
{{clear}}
=''NBA Inside Drive 2002''=
{{Infobox video game
|title = NBA Inside Drive 2002
|image =
|developer = High Voltage Software
|publisher = Microsoft Studios
|designer =
|engine =
|released = {{vgrelease|NA|January 23, 2002{{cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Shahed |date=December 11, 2001 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/vince-carter-becomes-the-nba-inside-drive-2002-cover-athlete/1100-2831785/ |title=Vince Carter becomes the NBA Inside Drive 2002 cover athlete [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006"] |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20011218072916/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2831785,00.html |archivedate=December 18, 2001 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}|EU|May 17, 2002}}
|genre = Sports, Simulation
|modes = Single-player, multiplayer
|platforms = Xbox
}}
After an almost two-and-a-half-year hiatus, NBA Inside Drive was brought back as NBA Inside Drive 2002 and was released in 2002 for Xbox. The game's development time was 18 months.{{cite web |date=January 18, 2002 |url=http://www.sgn.cc/basketball/nba_inside_drive_2002/interview1.shtml |title=NBA Inside Drive 2002 (Xbox) Interview |website=Sports Gaming Network |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021215231247/http://www.sgn.cc/basketball/nba_inside_drive_2002/interview1.shtml |archivedate=December 15, 2002 |accessdate=March 28, 2022}}
==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| title = NBA Inside Drive 2002
| align = left
| MC = 76/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/nba-inside-drive-2002/ |title=NBA Inside Drive 2002 |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003111548/https://www.metacritic.com/game/nba-inside-drive-2002/ |archivedate=October 3, 2023 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}
| EGM = 7.5/10{{cite magazine |last1=Hager |first1=Dean |last2=Kujawa |first2=Kraig |last3=Leahy |first3=Dan |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/1/10/EGM_US_153.pdf |title=NBA Inside Drive 2002 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=153 |date=April 2002 |page=143 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726230815/https://retrocdn.net/images/1/10/EGM_US_153.pdf |archivedate=July 26, 2023 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 8, 2025}}{{efn|Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the 2002 edition each a score of 8/10, 7.5/10, and 7/10.}}
| EPD = 7.5/10{{cite web |last=Mowatt |first=Todd |date=February 21, 2002 |url=http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=8388&full=1 |title=NBA Inside Drive 2002 |website=The Electric Playground |publisher=Greedy Productions Ltd. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020615074906/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=8388&full=1 |archivedate=June 15, 2002 |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}
| GI = 8.25/10{{cite magazine |last=Leeper |first=Justin |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-108-april-2002/page/82/mode/2up |title=NBA Inside Drive 2002 |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |issue=108 |date=April 2002 |page=82 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041113163624/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200204/R03.0804.1104.22445.htm |archivedate=November 13, 2004 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}
| GMaster = 76%{{cite magazine |title=Review: NBA Inside Drive 2002 |magazine=GamesMaster |publisher=Future plc |year=2002}}
| GSpy = 83%{{cite web |last=Hiscock |first=Josh |date=March 16, 2002 |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/march02/nbaisdxbox/ |title=NBA Inside Drive [2002] |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050217081313/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/march02/nbaisdxbox/ |archivedate=February 17, 2005 |accessdate=December 24, 2019}}
| OXM = 7.9/10{{cite magazine |title=NBA Inside Drive 2002 |magazine=Official Xbox Magazine |publisher=Future US |date=April 2002 |page=79}}
}}
NBA Inside Drive 2002 received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. GamePro said that the game was "good for a first try on the Xbox, but it's not as good as 2K2 or Live on the same system—and at the end of the day, that's what really matters."{{cite magazine |author=Dan Elektro |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/7/74/GamePro_US_163.pdf |title=NBA Inside Drive 2002 |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=163 |date=April 2002 |page=112 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050214013102/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/20947.shtml |archivedate=February 14, 2005 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}{{efn|GamePro gave the 2002 edition two 3.5/5 scores for graphics and control, and two 3/5 scores for sound and fun factor.}}
{{clear}}
=''NBA Inside Drive 2003''=
{{Infobox video game
|title = NBA Inside Drive 2003
|image =
|developer = High Voltage Software
|publisher = Microsoft Studios
|designer =
|engine =
|released = {{vgrelease|NA|October 15, 2002{{cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Hilary |date=September 27, 2002 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/27/nba-inside-drive-interview |title=NBA Inside Drive Interview |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718171121/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/27/nba-inside-drive-interview |archivedate=July 18, 2024 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}|EU|December 6, 2002}}
|genre = Sports, Simulation
|modes = Single-player, multiplayer
|platforms = Xbox
}}
Less than one year after the 2002 installment, NBA Inside Drive 2003 was released for Xbox.
==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| title = NBA Inside Drive 2003
| align = left
| GMaster = 77%{{cite magazine |title=Review: NBA Inside Drive 2003 |magazine=GamesMaster |publisher=Future plc |year=2003}}
| JXV = 15/20{{cite web |author=Jihem |date=December 11, 2002 |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00002723_test.htm |title=Test: NBA Inside Drive 2003 |language=fr |website=Jeuxvideo.com |publisher=Webedia |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501235912/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0000/00002723_test.htm |archivedate=May 1, 2021 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}
}}
NBA Inside Drive 2003 received "average" reviews according to Metacritic. GamePro called it "a slightly better value than 2002 with tweaked gameplay and a few new features. The problem is that the competition has jumped ahead substantially within the same time frame."{{cite magazine |author=Tokyo Drifter |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/6/62/GamePro_US_171.pdf |title=NBA Drive 2003 |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=171 |date=December 2002 |page=192 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209110631/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/26646.shtml |archivedate=February 9, 2005 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}{{efn|GamePro gave the 2003 edition three 4/5 scores for graphics, sound, and control, and 3.5/5 for fun factor.}}
{{clear}}
=''NBA Inside Drive 2004''=
{{Infobox video game
|title = NBA Inside Drive 2004
|image =
|developer = High Voltage Software
|publisher = Microsoft Studios
|designer =
|engine =
|released = {{vgrelease|NA|November 18, 2003{{cite web |last=Scott |first=Jonathan |date=November 19, 2003 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/19/nba-inside-drive-on-sale |title=NBA Inside Drive On Sale |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923040145/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/11/19/nba-inside-drive-on-sale |archivedate=September 23, 2021 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}|EU|November 28, 2003}}
|genre = Sports, Simulation
|modes = Single-player, multiplayer
|platforms = Xbox
}}
The last entry in the series, NBA Inside Drive 2004, was released in 2003. It launched with other XSN Sports titles that featured a website where players could organize their own tournaments, seasons, or games.
==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| title = NBA Inside Drive 2004
| align = left
| EGM = 6.67/10{{cite magazine |last1=Intihar |first1=Bryan |last2=Ricciardi |first2=John |last3=Mauro |first3=Patrick |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/8/88/EGM_US_174.pdf |title=NBA Inside Drive 2004 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=174 |date=January 2004 |page=152 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031220060407/http://www.egmmag.com/article2/0,4364,1388410,00.asp |archivedate=December 20, 2003 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 8, 2025}}{{efn|Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the 2004 edition each a score of 6/10, 7.5/10, and 6.5/10.}}
| Fam = 27/40{{cite magazine |title=NBA インサイド ドライブ 2004 |language=ja |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain |volume=788 |date=January 23, 2004}}
| XPlay = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web |last=Rubenstein |first=Glenn |date=January 21, 2004 |url=http://www.techtv.com/xplay/reviews/story/0%2C24330%2C3592038%2C00.html |title='NBA Inside Drive [2004]' (Xbox) Review |website=X-Play |publisher=TechTV |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040205150753/http://www.techtv.com/xplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3592038,00.html |archivedate=February 5, 2004 |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}
}}
Inside Drive 2004 received "average" reviews according to Metacritic. In Japan, where the game was ported for release on January 22, 2004,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/game/title/10388/page/1 |title=NBA インサイド ドライブ 2004 （Xbox ワールドコレクション） [Xbox] |language=ja |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Kadokawa Game Linkage |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207032825/https://www.famitsu.com/game/title/10388/page/1 |archivedate=February 7, 2025 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 7, 2025}} Famitsu gave it a score of two sevens, one six, and one seven for a total of 27 out of 40. GamePro called it "a decent basketball game with an excellent online tie-in. Still, this series needs a serious wake-up call if it hopes to compete with the likes of EA and ESPN next year."{{cite magazine |author=Tokyo Drifter |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/6/60/GamePro_US_184.pdf |title=NBA Inside Drive 2004 |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IGN |issue=184 |date=January 2004 |page=138 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209110655/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/31805.shtml |archivedate=February 9, 2005 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}{{efn|GamePro gave the 2004 edition two 4/5 scores for graphics and sound, 4.5/5 for control, and 3.5/5 for fun factor.}} (Sadly, it was not to be, as the following article section demonstrates.)
{{clear}}
Discontinuation
Following Microsoft's release of their 2004 professional sports titles, all of them were discontinued including NFL Fever and NHL Rivals 2004. In February 2005, Microsoft sold NBA Inside Drive and its other sports franchises to Ubisoft.{{cite news |date=February 28, 2005|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB110961895299666120 |title=Ubisoft Buys Microsoft Sports Games |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |url-access=subscription |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028160408/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB110961895299666120 |archivedate=October 28, 2020 |url-status=live |accessdate=February 7, 2025}}
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{moby game|id=/2829/nba-inside-drive-2000/|name=NBA Inside Drive 2000}}
- {{moby game|id=/5797/nba-inside-drive-2002/|name=NBA Inside Drive 2002}}
- {{moby game|id=/14687/nba-inside-drive-2003/|name=NBA Inside Drive 2003}}
- {{moby game|id=/12232/nba-inside-drive-2004/|name=NBA Inside Drive 2004}}
{{Xbox Game Studios}}
Category:Basketball video games
Category:Video game franchises