NBA in the Zone 2000 is one of those late '90s N64 basketball games that somehow nails the arcade-y feel while still keeping things grounded. The animations are surprisingly smooth for the era—dunks actually have weight to them, and the way players jostle for rebounds feels legit. At first, I thought the controls were a little stiff, but after a few games, you start pulling off no-look passes and quick crossovers like it’s second nature.

What I love is how it doesn’t drown you in menus or complicated mechanics. You pick a team, jump into a game, and within minutes you’re already trash-talking the AI after swatting a shot into the stands. The play-calling is simple but effective, and the AI actually puts up a decent fight on higher difficulties. It’s not as flashy as some of the bigger NBA titles from back then, but it’s got this raw, fast-paced energy that makes it way more fun than it has any right to be.

If you’re into retro sports games, this one’s a solid pickup—especially if you’ve got a buddy to play against. Just don’t blame me when your elbows start flying over contested layups.