The Greatest Video Game of All Time

NBA Street Vol. 2 is the greatest video game of all time. In my opinion, there’s not really any competition. I know some people will disagree with me, especially since there are those who don’t care about sports games at all, but this video game (played exclusively on the illustrious PlayStation 2) should be considered a great one by all.

I’m not going to get into specifics such as graphics and all that. If we’re being honest, everybody knows that today’s video games sweep all PS2 games under the rug in those regards. Rather, I’m going to tell you why I love the game.

NBA Street Vol. 2 is the first video game I truly fell in love with. A simple two player game that allowed me to pick from and play with all the legends (yes, Jordan, Bill Russel, Dr. J, Magic, and more) in a five-on-five pickup/streetball game to twenty-one that, given the monstrous dunks and alley-oops and the killer shooting range of many of the players, seldom took longer than ten to fifteen minutes. Street 2 is a simple game, but, unlike Madden and non-blacktop 2k, it’s a short fun game that is more fun to play with others than by yourself. And man, I’d play with others quite often.

I’d play with my dad, my brothers, my cousins, my uncles, the Bady and McLean families, and so many others whenever I could.  Any barbeque or cookout, you could find me and the other kids (and oftentimes adults) continually switching off between playing Street 2 and playing actual basketball and football outside, talking all the while we were doing each. And that’s why I truly love the game.

I love NBA Street Vol. 2 because the game was a medium by which I developed great relationships, both family and friend-wise. I love Street 2 because it’s the game I played with friends who’d make me laugh so hard I’d cry, and friends who’d encourage me and give me solid advice. I love Street 2 because it’s the game by which I fell in love with both basketball and community.

Today’s games just don’t do that for me. There’s no doubt that the actual gameplay, especially when playing single-player, is far beyond that of Street 2. But with regard to community building, there just isn’t anything quite the same. 2k’s blacktop mode is the closest thing (at least for me), but there’s still something missing. Halo, Call of Duty, and Madden are all great games, but when I so much as pick up a PS2 controller to play Street 2, there’s an ecstatic rush that overwhelms and satisfies me for days on end.

NBA Street Vol 2. is, in my opinion, the greatest video game of all time. And even without the emotional attachment that I have to it, I recommend you find the game and play it with your friends. 2k and other games are all fine and dandy, but there’s just something about Street 2…

Until next time.

– JP

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