NBA 2K12 is an impressive title by itself.  Both critics and fans alike are delighted with this basketball-sim.  Before the season officially tipped off on Christmas Day, 2K Sports released the Legends Showcase DLC.  This mode only adds to the package.  For the low price that this is currently being offered, it really is quite the bargain.

Here is a preview of the mode.

Essentially this mode is very similar to Blacktop mode seen in previous additions of NBA 2K.  2K Sports has made sure this isn’t just a re-hash of some mode they used to give away for free.  The most noticeable difference is in the graphics.  Instead of using the usual graphics for gameplay, 2K Sports opted to use cel-shading for a very colorful and almost cartoonish approach.  It’s fitting that these graphics are cartoonish in a sense because only a very fictional setting can we get all these legends balling out of control in the same place at the same time.

Old school vs. new school, anything is possible in these match ups.

The DLC has different modes for how you can play this game.  A 3 vs 3 mode has been dubbed the era challenge, where you can play as 3 players from a certain era and take on other trios from different decades throughout the NBA.  Pick-Up games are available in which you can match up players throughout NBA’s history in exciting games with rules that you can edit anyway you see fit.  Pretty exciting stuff.  My personal favorite was the 2 vs 2 Teammate Challenge.  I got to take my heroes in Golden State’s Chris Mullin & Tim Hardaway take on duos throughout NBA’s history including Larry Johnson & Alonzo Mourning, John Stockton & Karl Malone, and Scottie Pippen & Michael Jordan.

This whole mode is an entertaining and arcade like way to answer the who’s the greatest question that 2K Sports has built a lot of marketing around for NBA 2K12.  Now, while this mode isn’t nearly as deep as the original game itself.  It definitely is a fun way to entertain some what if scenarios with  some basketball’s all-time greats with an entertaining backdrop.   In pick up games or any of the 2v2 or 3v3 modes,  gameplay is very similar to what you’ve become accustomed to in NBA 2k12.  All of the handle, shot types, dunk packages, post moves, are all at your dispense while trying to rack up the proper amount of points.

H-O-R-S-E is fun for a while.  Filled with trick shots and different things you can do the ball to be creative and help your opponent rack up letters.  Overall this mode didn’t really seem to have a lot of substance and would only be fitting if you wanted to mess around with this mode for a few minutes here and there.

While fun, H-O-R-S-E shouldn't be among the reasons why you choose to download this.

As stated in the intro, this DLC is a bargain.  It is one of the few instances where a DLC actually feels like a new title.  All the effort 2K Sports put into the presentation of the modes as well as vast collection of new playable legends clearly shows and would keep your avid basketball fan very entertained.  That being said, this isn’t for everyone that purchased NBA 2K12.  If you are not an huge basketball friend with a friend (online or in person) to enjoy these match ups with, I could see a lot of players just going right back into playing regular NBA 2k12 without all the glitz of this new mode.  However, that being said downloading this DLC gives players the ability to play as legendary teams in regular NBA 2K12 simulations while online, which some would argue is a fantastic reason get this DLC by itself.  That very nice feature along with a new mode and new legends to tinker with, make this DLC a solid download for the hardcore basketball fans that enjoy NBA 2k12.

From the fundamental moves to the old school jerseys, the whole package is very nostalgic to any avid basketball fan.

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