Three New ESPN sports titles from Konami
by VGLN Staff

Tuesday, March 5, 2002

Two of them are winter sports games and the other is an update of a popular hoops series.

Although the XIX Annual Olympic Winter Games have come to a close, the spirit of competition and high-altitude fun continue as Konami of America ships ESPN NBA 2Night 2002, ESPN International Winter Sports and ESPN Winter X Games(TM) Snowboarding to retail outlets nationwide. The new adrenaline-filled sports games for Sony PlayStation®2 and Microsoft Xbox(TM) videogame systems are rated "E" for Everyone by the ESRB, and carry a suggested MSRP of $49.99.

"We are very excited about these three additions to Konami's already strong line-up of quality sports titles," said Justin Kubiak, product marketing manager for Konami of America. "ESPN NBA 2Night 2002, ESPN International Winter Sports 2002 and ESPN Winter X Games Snowboarding 2002 demonstrate the company's commitment to delivering a wide variety of competitive sports games across multiple platforms."

Debuting on the PlayStation® 2, ESPN NBA 2Night 2002 is a fast-moving hoops game featuring all of the authenticity, emotion and intensity of the NBA. Konami backs Brent Musberger and Stuart Scott's witty commentary and insightful analysis with realistic player animations, crisp graphics and full ESPN integration. A sequel to last year's ESPN NBA 2Night 2001, the new game includes player feedback and now sports-enhanced gameplay mechanics. The new "turbo" feature enables players to blow by defenders and drive through the lane with style. With gameplay designed for up to eight players (two PS2 multitaps required), ESPN NBA 2Night 2002 is the next best thing to actually being on the court.

Players take a shot at alpine glory with ESPN International Winter Sports 2002 for the Microsoft Xbox (already available on the PS2, Nintendo GameCube® and Game Boy® Advance). This new version features a diverse collection of 10 Olympic-style sports including Downhill Alpine and Slalom Skiing, Bobsledding and Figure Skating. An easy-to-use control scheme, rich graphics and representation from eight different countries give players the pick-up-and-play thrills and chills that have been a part of Konami's sports heritage since the original Track and Field.

ESPN Winter X Games Snowboarding 2002 for Microsoft Xbox (already available on the PS2 and Game Boy Advance) features four real-life X Games events including Big Air, SuperPipe, Snowboarder X and Slopestyle. Included in the game are 30 all-new multi-level courses with bigger "kickers" and twisted rails for incredible acrobatic tricks. Adding to the game's realism are unparalleled graphics and the ability to choose from one of 13 pros, including Peter Line, Todd Richards and Olympic silver medal winner Danny Kass. Players can now also carve a path in the Snowboarder Mode by creating a character from scratch and earning their way to the ultimate competition: The Winter X Games!

--- VGLN Staff