NBA 2K11

Jordan's involvement is maximized from the start, with four modes based around Jordan's career. The "Jordan Challenge" has the player control Michael in ten highlight games through his career. The player must successfully recreate Jordan's real-life performance in the virtual scenario. In Quick Game mode, players can select eight different years of Jordan-led Chicago Bulls squads, and pit them against current-day rosters. Players can control a rookie Jordan in "MJ: Create a Legend" mode, and guide him through a modern-day career in the NBA. Finally, players are awarded pairs of Air Jordans for in-game achievements. Players are encouraged to collect all the Air Jordans Michael wore through his career, and each gives a stat bonus when equipped by the player's character.

"My Player" mode allows players to create a new rookie and take him through a career in the NBA. Each created player starts in the NBA Draft Combine (included here, not sold separately) and hopefully signs with a team based on their performance. From there, players will handle their character both on and off the court, and build up limited RPG-style stats. Off-court gameplay includes elements like talking to the press after a game (and picking responses from a few possible choices), communicate with your coach (such as asking for a trade), and some games will be marked as "key" games - netting a boost to exposure and skill points if completed successfully.

"Association" mode allows players to manage a team as both coach and GM, and gives control over scouting, assigning players, negotiating salaries, and the like. This year, a greater emphasis is put on team chemistry and player egos, similar to the relevant stats in "My Player" mode. If star players aren't given the court time they feel they deserve, they become disgruntled. Up to 30 teams can be set for player control, allowing for multiple players to engage in an elaborate fantasy league simulation. Players can use an existing NBA team as a template, or create their own.

Online, players can form clubs and leagues. Clubs are most similar to an MMO "guild," or an enhanced friends list. Players can use a created character or one from the NBA roster. Club stats are tracked as any players win or lose games, which feed into leaderboards showing how the clubs stack up. Leagues are more dedicated multiplayer simulations of seasons, from draft to finals. Players join and battle other players to take their team to the top. League admins are granted the ability to kick inactive players. Returning from previous years is the Sprite-sponsored "NBA Blacktop" mode, putting NBA players in street ball pickup games (like 21) online or offline. New for this year is a "Slam Dunk Showdown," scoring players on the flashiest dunks. Standard one-game multiplayer matchups are also, of course, supported.