NLSC Podcast

The rivalry between NBA Live and NBA 2K is something that we miss, as it meant competition and alternatives in the space. This week we're going back to where it all began by reading and reacting to contemporary reviews of NBA Live 2000 PC and the original NBA 2K for Sega Dreamcast. We agree with some remarks more than others, but one thing's for sure: reviews of basketball video games haven't real...

The big patch for NBA 2K27 is out ahead of the launch of Season 2, and so far, many gamers are dissatisfied with the update. This week, we join the community in reacting to Patch 2.0 for NBA 2K27 with some hands-on impressions, as well as thoughts on the lack of goodwill that's come with ruining MyPLAYER builds. We also discuss the drawbacks of heavily relying on patching games post-release, and o...

Efforts to revive NBA 2K15, NBA 2K16, and NBA 2K17 with community-maintained servers hit a snag following a DMCA takedown, but one thing's for sure: people are interested in revisiting old favourites, in large part due to dissatisfaction with NBA 2K27 and other recent releases. This week, we join the community in reacting to those server revival projects, and the Save The Game movement that's gain...

What kind of adult plays video games? As it turns out, a large majority of adults nowadays! This week, we're tackling the topic of gaming in adult life, and the stigma that still surrounds the hobby in 2026. We also react to a couple of very different articles on the matter, and our listeners weigh in with their opinions. Contrary to some prevailing stereotypes, it would seem that we all have a he...

NBA 2K27 has been out for a few weeks now, and Derek has put almost 90 hours into the game. As such, this week he's providing his in-depth review of NBA 2K27, breaking down the positives and negatives of gameplay, modes, content, and features, and giving it a score out of ten. In this week's Community Question, our fellow gamers also share their thoughts on NBA 2K27 so far, along with their scores...

The use of generative AI in video game development is becoming a controversial issue. This week, we join the community in discussing how generative AI could potentially be used to enhance basketball video games, as well as some of the known drawbacks of the technology. We also react to the forthcoming implementation of microtransactions in NBA The Run, and recap a fun session of Blacktop in NBA 2K...

NBA 2K27 is out now for everyone, meaning that more gamers have had a chance to get their hands on this year's release. To that end, this week we join the community in sharing some further impressions of NBA 2K27 - both positive and negative - covering gameplay, modes, and content. We also react to some reviews on Steam that seem rather fishy, as well as a couple that are definitely amusing to rea...

It's that time of the year again! NBA 2K27 is now available via Early Access for gamers who pre-ordered one of the special editions, and we're among those who have already played it ahead of its full launch on September 4th. To that end, this week we're sharing our first hands-on impressions of NBA 2K27, breaking down the positives and negatives so far. Our listeners also weigh in with their thoug...

The big NBA 2K27 infodump has come and gone, which means it's essentially a wrap on the game's abbreviated preview season. An event for content creators provided some more gameplay footage however, so this week we join the community in reacting to what we've seen, and a couple of other details about NBA 2K27. We also share some thoughts on the impending shutdown of NBA Live Mobile. The post NLSC P...

After an unexpected week off, we're back to discuss skill gaps on the virtual hardwood, specifically what that truly means. This includes a look at how artificial boosts and certain gameplay mechanics run contrary to the idea of implementing a skill gap. On a happier note, we also recap a couple of fun co-op sessions with NBA 2K14 and NBA Live 18. The post NLSC Podcast #643: The Truth About Skill...

The NBA 2K27 Gameplay Trailer dropped last week, giving us our first glimpse of this year's game in action. We also received a roadmap for the rest of the preview season along with a handful of early details on what to expect, including confirmation of a controversial change to dunking. As such, this week we're joining the community in reacting to the trailer and what we know about NBA 2K27 so far...

The NBA 2K27 preview season is now officially underway with the reveal of this year's cover players, pre-order bonuses, and a handful of first-look screenshots. This week, we join the community in reacting to our first glimpse of NBA 2K27 and the three editions that will be available to pre-order, as well as the controversy surrounding the design of the Standard Edition cover. The post NLSC Podcas...

Although we do tend to take our basketball gaming seriously, sometimes it's fun to get a little silly with it; or indeed, looney! To that end, this week we're reviewing Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports, which not only includes NBA Jam-style basketball, but also soccer, tennis, and golf. We also recap a co-op game of basketball in Tiny Toon Adventures: ACME All-Stars, and join the community in d...

Gaming in 2026 - basketball or otherwise - is certainly a mixed bag. There are some things that we're greatly enjoying, but also issues that are really bugging us! To that end, this week we present Dee's Dislikes and Andrew's Delights, wherein we get a few criticisms off our chest from issues with NBA The Run to anti-consumer practices, but also celebrate what's bringing us joy right now, such as...

Sony has announced that physical copies of PlayStation games will end production in 2028, with the console going digital-only. Despite claims that the decision was made in response to consumer trends, gamers by and large haven't been thrilled with the announcement! This week, we join the community in reacting to the news including a discussion of all the potential drawbacks, comparisons to PC gami...

The specifications of the Steam Machine have been confirmed along with the prices for both models, with and without a controller. Suffice it to say, the announcement has generated some controversy! This week, we're breaking down everything that we know about the Steam Machine, from specs to potential to value for money. We also join the community in discussing whether we'll be picking one up in li...

There have been a number of father-son duos in NBA history, but when it comes to talent, it isn't always a case of "like father, like son"! To that end, this week we're choosing our Top 5 father-son duos for a two-on-two game. While there are some obvious choices with these multi-generational pairings, a couple of our picks might just surprise you! The post NLSC Podcast #636: The NBA’s Greatest Fa...

NBA The Run was released last week, and so far it's certainly drawn a mixed reception from basketball gamers. This week, we're reviewing the new arcade streetball game from Play by Play Studios, breaking down the gameplay and describing our experiences playing in several tournaments. We also read out some impressions that the community has shared with us, and touch once more on the toxicity that N...

With the preview season and indeed the release of NBA 2K27 looming, what are we hoping to see from this year's game from Visual Concepts? This week, we join the community in sharing some of our key Wishlist items, from our most-desired gameplay improvements to ideas for enhancing modes, features, and content. We also discuss a couple of details about NBA 2K27 that have already leaked, and pay trib...

Online gaming undoubtedly has its ups and downs, depending on what you're playing and who you're playing with! To that point, this week we reflect on two very different online gaming experiences, the first being the recent open beta for NBA The Run, and the second being our latest four and five-player Parsec sessions with NBA Live 96 and NBA Live 10. We also have some further impressions of NBA Th...

Although we've been playing basketball video games for decades now, the hobby is still capable of surprising us. To that end, what are the biggest surprises - both positive and negative - in basketball gaming in 2026? We share and discuss what amazes and astonishes us when it comes to the virtual hardwood, from the games themselves to changes in modding culture and community attitudes. Our listene...

The second closed beta for NBA The Run took place last weekend, and we both had a chance to participate! To that end, this week we're providing more detailed hands-on impressions of the soon-to-be-released game, as well as discussing whether or not it's worth the newly-announced price tag. We also read out some of the community's latest thoughts on NBA The Run, and react to some of the toxic posit...

Entering 2026, we had some plans and goals for the virtual hardwood. Since we're rapidly approaching the middle of the year, we decided to check in on how those plans are going! To that end, this week we're joining the community in discussing our basketball gaming habits so far in 2026, from the selection of titles that we're playing to the modes that have kept us hooked. The post NLSC Podcast #63...

Last week, Play By Play Studios held a closed beta for NBA The Run, which is set to release in June 2026. Derek was able to take part, and so this week, he's sharing his detailed hands-on impressions of the game, breaking down the key positives and negatives while also making some recommendations for how it could improve. We also read out the community's thoughts on what they've seen of NBA The Ru...

While it's exciting to be on the cutting edge of gaming technology, we're not always in a rush to upgrade. This week, we're taking a look at why basketball gamers often stick with last gen hoops titles - ourselves included - and some of the benefits of delaying a jump to the next generation. We also touch on next gen elitism and gatekeeping, and the community shares their experiences sticking with...