NBA Unrivaled
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}{{Short description|2009 basketball video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = NBA Unrivaled
| developer = A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. Games
| publisher = Tecmo
| platforms = Xbox 360
PlayStation 3
| released = Xbox 360
November 11, 2009
PlayStation 3
{{Video game release|NA|April 1, 2010|EU|June 23, 2010{{Cite web |title=NBA Unrivaled (PS3) |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/games/ps3/nba_unrivaled |access-date=August 24, 2024 |website=Push Square}}{{Cite web |title=NBA Unrivaled - PlayStation 3 |url=http://ps3.gamespy.com/playstation-3/nba-unrivaled/ |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=GameSpy}}}}
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| genre = Sports-simulation
| producer = Ray Murakawa
Michael Fahrny
| designer = Sandy Spangler
| image = NBA Unrivaled Coverart.png
| director = Murray McCarron
}}
NBA Unrivaled is a sports-simulation video game developed by Vancouver-based{{Cite web |last=Joudrey |first=Jesse |date=September 27, 2013 |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/small-studio-big-decisions-opm-opium |title=Small Studio, Big Decisions: OPM = Opium |website=Game Developer |publisher=Informa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603142529/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/small-studio-big-decisions-opm-opium |archive-date=June 3, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=July 13, 2024}} studio A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. Games and published by Tecmo.
Gameplay
File:NBA Unrivaled Screenshot1.jpg scoring two points in the game]]
The gameplay revolves around controlling a team of basketball players and competing against either AI-controlled teams or other players in online multiplayer matches. Players have the opportunity to select from a roster of real-life NBA players, each with their unique skills, strengths, and playstyles.{{Cite web |author=GameSpot staff |date=June 2, 2009 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tecmo-tips-off-nba-unrivaled/1100-6210817/ |title=Tecmo tips off NBA Unrivaled |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222182515/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/tecmo-tips-off-nba-unrivaled/1100-6210817/ |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=July 13, 2024}}
Players can play as players such as Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Shaquille O'Neal.
The game offers various modes, including exhibition matches, tournaments, and season modes, allowing players to engage in different basketball experiences. In exhibition matches, players can quickly jump into a game for a casual play session. At the same time, tournaments and season modes offer more in-depth and long-term gameplay experiences with progression elements such as team management, player development, and season standings.
NBA Unrivaled uses realistic basketball mechanics, aiming to capture the pace, intensity, and tactics of real NBA games. Players can dribble, pass, shoot, and defend using intuitive controls that aim to replicate playing basketball on a real court. The game also features commentary and crowd reactions, enhancing the atmosphere and immersion during matches.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| align = left
| PS3 = true
| X360 = true
| na = true
| MC_PS3 = 24/100{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/nba-unrivaled/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3 |title=NBA Unrivaled critic reviews (PS3) |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022082959/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/nba-unrivaled |archive-date=October 22, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=July 13, 2024}}
| GamePro_PS3 = {{Rating|0.5|5}}{{Cite magazine |last=de Matos |first=Xav |date=April 6, 2010 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/214706/downloadable-games-round-up-03-28-04-03/ |title=Downloadable Games Round-Up: 03/28 - 04/03 |magazine=GamePro |publisher=GamePro Media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409065005/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/214706/downloadable-games-round-up-03-28-04-03/ |archive-date=April 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 13, 2024}}
| IGN_PS3 = 2.5/10{{Cite web |last=Ahearn |first=Nate |date=April 5, 2010 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/05/nba-unrivaled-review |title=NBA Unrivaled Review (PS3) |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214041241/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/05/nba-unrivaled-review |archive-date=February 14, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=July 13, 2024}}
| OPMUK_PS3 = 1/10{{Cite magazine |title=NBA Unrivaled |magazine=PlayStation Official Magazine ā UK |publisher=Future plc |date=September 2010 |page=115}}
| OXM_X360 = 1.5/10{{Cite magazine |title=NBA Unrivaled |magazine=Official Xbox Magazine |publisher=Future US |date=February 2010 |page=88}}
| PSM3_PS3 = 63%{{Cite magazine |title=Review: NBA Unrivaled |magazine=PSM3 |publisher=Future plc |date=September 2010 |page=94}}
| TX_X360 = 2/10{{cite web |last=Price |first=Tom |date=November 12, 2009 |url=http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1806/NBA-Unrivaled/p1/ |title=NBA Unrivaled Review (Xbox 360) |website=TeamXbox |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114115730/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1806/NBA-Unrivaled/p1/ |archive-date=November 14, 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 3, 2024}}
}}
NBA Unrivaled received "generally unfavorable reviews" on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.
Brett Todd of GameSpot said of the Xbox 360 version, "What's most surprising about NBA Unrivaled is that it made it out to the public. Regardless of how you feel about basketball and retro basketball arcade games, you should avoid this game at all costs." GameZone said of the same console version, "For the high price mark of $15 you're just not getting enough. The gameplay is good when played correctly, but that same lack of lenience in play style is also a deficiency. Most players will not be able to find enough value to make it worth their purchase." Official Xbox Magazine called it "the worst sports game in Xbox history!" PlayStation Official Magazine ā UK said, "you should try playing this only to laugh at its total, across-the-board incompetence, but it'd be like recommending you throw eight quid into the bin and then roll around naked and giggling in a pile of your own feces. Unrivaled indeed."
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References
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