Owen Good, over at Kotaku, has an interesting piece on the surprising resurgence of popularity in NBA 2K11. 

At first blush it doesn’t seem to stand out: NBA 2K11 cracked the top 20 of most played titles on the Xbox 360 for the week of Jan. 16. But when you peel it back, that’s actually quite astonishing, to see an old version of a sports video game resurface more than 15 months after its release.

Surprising it is, although not altogether unbelievable. 

Whilst the guys at 2K Sports would be happy with this increased shelf-life of an old title, it may cast unfavourable aspersions on their newer NBA 2K12 hoops game.

As Good points out, there could be a few factors at play here:

• The "Jordan Challenge" mode on NBA 2K11 was extremely popular and emblematic in hoops games in recent times;
• There have been problems with the 2K12 multiplayer mode;
• Simply, the price of an older title is always cheaper after reductions come into shops;
• A case of possible confusion, when people look at the similar Jordan cover of the 2K11/2K12 titles. Irregular sports gamers can be confused by the naming conventions on yearly release sports games.

The other thing is, there has been some negative sentiment with regard to the playability of 2K12 amongst some gamers. Many will claim that 2K11 is simply "too hard" which is often put off as "game play problems" amongst those that are struggling to play a tightly controlled simulation. For the casual gamers -- those more inclined toward the likes of NBA JAM -- a sports sim can be too full-on sometimes. And often, you will simply play the game that your friends are playing, thus leading to a return to the more favoured NBA 2K11.   

Whatever the reason, it's an interesting set of circumstances to see in play.

Our competition is still open to win a copy of NBA 2K12 (on the system of your choice). We have two copies to give away and it couldn't be easier to enter. 

Just like the high rollers with a casino bonus say "You can't win if you don't play."

The giveaway contest closes on Friday 4 November, so CLICK HERE and get your entries in!

As a basketball fan, you'd have to be living under a rock to not know that the NBA 2K series leads the way in NBA video games over the past few years. And now 2K Sports has released the newest iteration in the franchise, NBA 2K12.

Building on the huge success of last season's Michael Jordan edition of the game, 2K12 features classic rosters from across the NBA and across the decades. Whether you're more of a Magic Johnson type or you like your shorts short like John Stockton, you can step into your idol's shoes (or shorts) in this year's game.

Very soon we'll have a review of the game here at A Stern Warning. In the meantime however, the great news is that YOU CAN WIN one of two copies of the game for yourself!

This contest is open to Australian residents only (unlike previous years where it has been open only to American residents).

To win one of two copies of NBA 2K12, all you have to do is: 

1. Hit 'Like' on our Facebook page:

2. Tell us in 25 words or less, "Who is your favourite NBA roster of all-time, and why?" Email your answers to ASternWarning (at) gmail.com with the subject "NBA 2K12 Contest" or simply click here to send the email. 

The contest closes for entries on Friday 4 November at 6pm. Entries will be judged on the merits of the teams chosen and the reasons given. All decision-making ultimately falls to the Editor of this site.

NBA Jam "On Fire Edition" has just launched on both the PlayStation Network and XBox Live. Take a look at some of the wacky characters that are unlockable, including those from the snowboarding video game SSX, in this video.

2K Sports are back with their latest basketball offering, rain, hail, shine or lockout. NBA 2K12 has pulled a trump card out to help fans get over the Lockout Blues... the legends of yesteryear!

In a brilliant move, already shown to be a winner with the 2K11 focus on Michael Jordan, 2K12 will use the go-to move of most branding in the past decade or so: go retro. Everyone loves their old school players, evoking memories of the 90s, 80s and before and so, NBA 2K12 will feature this grand list of "NBA's Greatest" legends:

*   Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
*   Larry Bird
*   Wilt Chamberlain
*   Julius Erving
*   Patrick Ewing
*   Magic Johnson
*   Michael Jordan
*   Karl Malone
*   Hakeem Olajuwon
*   Scottie Pippen
*   Oscar Robertson
*   Bill Russell
*   John Stockton
*   Isiah Thomas
*   Jerry West

Whilst the challenges will revolve around the legends listed above, reliving their great performances means that we will also be treated to players from back in the day who competed alongside and against these NBA immortals.

To give you a brief taste, that means that the game will include the likes of Clyde Drexler, the late Kevin Duckworth, Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Run TMC (Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, Chris Mullin), Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, David Robinson and many, many more. Watch the video below and start to get all nostalgic:

Hey, Aussie fans, notice that our very own Luc Longley gets a run in there? Look out!

Have a read of this post by the developers and you will get a further taste for the game, as well as an exhaustive list of the classic players that will be included.

Another cool feature will be the multiple cover sleeves available on the game. We get a choice between MJ, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. The designers have done a pretty good job, don't you think?

Before you run out to make your pre-orders, you can also take a look at these teaser videos to get you even more pumped up for that retro NBA action.

It was a safe, fan-appeasing move to omit "King" LeBron James from that clip. And before you punks start asking, there will be no Charles Barkley or Reggie Miller in this game, or any similar game, where they fail to sign a royalty agreement to allow their likenesses to be included. Barkley and Miller are not members of the NBA Players Association agreement that covers use of likenesses in video games etc.