NBA Unrivaled

NBA Unrivaled
Developer(s)	A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. Games
Publisher(s)	Tecmo
Director(s)	Murray McCarron
Producer(s)	Ray Murakawa Michael Fahrny
Designer(s)	Sandy Spangler
Platform(s)	Xbox 360 PlayStation 3
Release	Xbox 360 WW: November 11, 2009 PlayStation 3 NA: April 1, 2010 EU: June 23, 2010
Genre(s)	Sports-simulation
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

NBA Unrivaled is a sports-simulation video game developed by Vancouver-based studio A.C.R.O.N.Y.M. Games and published by Tecmo. It was released on November 11, 2009, for the Xbox 360, on April 1, 2010, in North America and on June 23, 2010, in Europe for the PlayStation 3.

Gameplay

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.

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.

Wilson Chandler scoring two points in the game

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

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
	PS3	Xbox 360
Metacritic	24/100	25/100

Review scores

Publication	Score
	PS3	Xbox 360
1Up.com	D-	D-
GamePro	1/10	N/A
GameSpot	2/10	2/10
GameZone	N/A	5.5/10
IGN	2.5/10	2.5/10
PlayStation Official Magazine – UK	1/10	N/A
Official Xbox Magazine (US)	N/A	1.5/10
TeamXbox	N/A	2/10

NBA Unrivaled received "generally unfavorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.

Brett Todd at GameSpot rated the game 2/10, stating that "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 rated the Xbox 360 version of the game 5.5/10, stating that "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."

The Official Xbox Magazine rated the game 1.5/10, stating that NBA Unrivaled is "the worst sports game in Xbox history!" The PlayStation Official Magazine – UK gave the game a similar rating of 1/10, stating that "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."