Introduction

Publisher: Microsoft
NFL Fever 2000 official page: http://www.microsoft.com/sports/insidedrive2000/
Expected Release: August 1999

Roundball

It's strange how fickle the public is. All it took was the playoffs for the nation to forget that last season in the NBA was shortened by a lockout. During the latter stages of the lockout, naysayers were predicting doom and gloom for the league, citing widespread disenchantment amongst fans. But how quickly everyone forgot! All it took was a real Cinderella team, the Knicks (the first 8 seed to advance to the Finals), going up against the Spurs, with the two most likeable players in the league --David Robinson and Tim Duncan. No one even mentions the lockout anymore, whereas the baseball strike effects lingered for years until Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa shattered Maris' home run record. Basketball is alive and well around the world, and Microsoft is on the scene to challenge EA's NBA Live series with NBA Inside Drive.

Pippen elevates over Gugliotta

Glenn Rice slashes down the lane

Taking it strong to the rack

NBA Inside Drive is part of Microsoft's second punch at EA's dominance over the sports market. The first was the release of Baseball 2000 earlier this year. MS's NFL Fever 2000 (which we reviewed last week) and NBA Inside Drive 2000 represent the next step for Microsoft this year. Inside Drive features all the usual you've come to expect in a sports title - detailed stats, all NBA teams and players, updated rosters during the course of the season, and a variety of camera angles for in game play. One aspect that NBA Inside Drive tries to emphasize is the post game. You've got a pivot button at your disposal, and this allows you to spin back and take the fallaway, or spin under to get the lay in or the dunk.

Abdul-Wahed posterizes Hornacek

Houston gets behind Horace Grant