After showing off three covers adorned with NBA legends a couple weeks ago, 2K Sports has announced that "NBA 2K12" will also give you the opportunity to play relive some classic moments on the hardwood with the game's greatest players. The just revealed "NBA's Greatest" mode will not only feature Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson; there's also 15 historic teams -- with icons like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and "Dr. J" Erving -- available, as well.
Last year's "NBA 2K11" appealed to fans of basketball's yesteryear with Michael Jordan gracing its cover. It was more than just artwork, though, as you had the opportunity to play through ten of the most memorable moments from Jordan's career in "The Jordan Challenge" mode. It was a neat concept for basketball fans, and provided an additional challenge – akin to a mini-game, really – that included an extra incentive if you managed to beat all ten challenges. Completing all the career highlights unlocked "Creating a Legend," which allowed you to play through the game's career mode as His Airness.
"NBA 2K12" takes things a step further, allowing you to create hypothetical match-ups of some of the greatest teams in the sport's history. Even more interesting, pitting those historic teams against each other unlocks the classic team for use against today's NBA stars. Ever wonder if Jordan's Chicago Bulls could destroy LeBron James' Miami Heat (the answer is yes)?
It's actually a really cool concept, and all this sports nostalgia has me thinking back to another 2K title, "All-Pro Football 2K8." I am in full support of more sports games that allow me to place retired athletes on fictional teams.
"NBA 2K12" will be available October 4 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 (wow), Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Portable, and PC.