Basketball commentators talk a lot about 'dynasties'. Larry Bird's Celtics, Michael Jordan's Bulls, Shaq's Lakers - teams that spanked everything that came their way.

EA has had a similar thing going with its American sports games. For years now it's owned the playing field. If Sega's ESPN games were to compete - to bust open the dynasty - it needed something special. Like a fat price cut.

When the 2005 range of ESPN games including NBA 2K5 hit the US earlier this year they were had a mere $20 price tag. Sales rocketed, EA started sweating. Now we're getting the benefit - you'll be able to pick up any of the ESPN games (check out ESPN NFL 2K5 and ESPN NHL 2K5 opposite) in the UK for £20.

But hold on. Surely the price reflects the quality of the game? Hell, no. Picking up ESPN NBA 2K5 for 20 quid is like signing Kobe Bryant on a free transfer: the bargain of the century.

To tip off you've got a fantastic-looking, fast-paced simulation of b-ball absolutely rippling with run-and-gun action. Thanks to the ESPN licence the TV-style presentation is top-notch and the superb commentary puts FIFA and Pro Evo to shame.

But it doesn't just look good. The movement controls are tighter than a cheerleader's butt cheeks and you can bust out sweet, ankle-breaking special moves like crossovers and spins with slick flicks of the Right thumbstick.

It all feels smooth and effortlessly realistic. Whether you're posting up with a towering seven-footer, launching a three-pointer from deep or throwing down a rim-rocking dunk, NBA 2K5 always seems to know what you want to do and translates it into beautifully fluid animations.

The AI's solid, although your own team-mates do tend to stand around a little too much rather than opening up lanes and driving towards the basket. It's cool, though: you can call a huge selection of preset plays on the fly by pressing the D-pad, turning your offence into an instantly adaptable weapon.

This strategic side really comes together in NBA 2K5's Association mode. You're placed in charge of an entire NBA franchise: you have to handle business in the office as well as on the court. Picking the team, choosing the playbook, keeping your players happy and winning games is all down to you. It's a great way to get a little deeper into the experience and definitely extends 2K5's life.

The catch? Well, it's either a major flaw or a tiny irritation depending on whether you're hooked up to Live or not - the online options have been yanked from the UK version. It's a shame, especially when online leagues and tournaments would have been the perfect addition to the single-player game, but considering the pricepoint it doesn't really harm the overall appeal of NBA 2K5.

All in all it's a fantastic package, especially at this price. Taking on the might of EA's b-ball dynasty was like throwing up an off-balance shot from deep in three-point range, but ESPN NBA 2K5 hits nothing but net.

1. Comes to the court with a huge list of features. Puts many sports games that sell for twice as much to shame.
2. Fast, intuitive and fun b-ball action that will satisfy high-speed showboaters and hoop tacticians alike.
3. Stellar presentation that's slicker than Shaq's sweaty nugget, with all the over-the-top commentary you'd ever want.
4. The Association mode adds a long-term challenge and balances the action with some satisfying strategy.

1. The lack of Live options in the UK version is a disappointment, but for this price we're not grumbling.

NBA 2K5's got all the teams, players, flashy presentation and hoop gameplay - for half the price. You do the maths.