NBA Now 23 things to know about Arcade mode
A nice alternative to regular hoops
NBA Now 23 is the third instalment of the basketball series developed by the folks over at Com2Us. It features all 30 NBA teams as well as all of the players. The game operates as both a basketball simulation and a card collecting game, similar to other hoops games.
However, here, there's a little more on offer than just the ability to play games. You can play in ranked online games, friend battles, join a Club, and even make predictions for real NBA games. If the team that you picked wins, you get rewards.
But one other mode that stands out is Arcade Mode. This is a more fast-paced, simpler way to enjoy the game and get your basketball fix. This mode allows you to take part in both the Slam Dunk Contest and the Three-Point Contest. It's one of the more enjoyable modes out there and so here are a few things you should know about it.
Tip #1 - Players Change
An interesting thing about Arcade Mode in NBA Now 23 is that you can't choose the player that you want for either of the events. You instead will use whichever NBA player is highlighted for that week. For example, if the player for the three-point contest is Trae Young one week, then it could be Klay Thompson the next.
This also applies to the dunk contest as well. Yes, it would be sweet to be able to pick whichever NBA player you want, but this does add an extra element that makes you kind of curious about who the featured baller will be next time around.
Don't worry, there are no real readjustments you have to make as the controls are easy to pick up and use (more on that in the next section). But overall, this is a fun way to sort of spice things up a bit every time you step into the mode.
Tip #2 - Very Easy Control Scheme
Accessibility is always important in gaming the Arcade in NBA Now 23 makes things easier for anyone and everyone. For the three-point contest, all you need to do is make sure the meter is in the sweet spot to make your shots. Simple to pick up, but can be challenging to master at first.
So essentially, it operates like three-point contests in past NBA video games. So, if you're a veteran of virtual hoops, then you'll know exactly what to do. The slam dunk contest offers a unique experience that will also remind of games from the past and not just NBA ones.
The goal here is to hit the corresponding as they go up a meter. Hit them all correctly to go a do your dunk in the contest. Sound familiar? That's because it will remind you of old games like Rock Band, Guitar Hero, or Dance Dance Revolution. The old NBA Live games used a similar method as well. This makes things easier too as you as all you need to do is hit the buttons at the right times. Nothing more, nothing less. Now go out there and put on a show!
Tip #3 - Arcade Mode Shop
This is where Arcade's uniqueness comes into play. It's not a mode where you just play for fun (although of course, you can if you'd like) and you don't just get random rewards either. Here, you compete and get Arcade currency that you can use in a shop.
The shop allows you to shop for items that can help give your team some boosts. This is nice because you can pick and choose what you like instead of being forced to settle for random rewards. Don't get me wrong, surprises are always fun. However, being able to choose what you want makes the experience more rewarding.
So, if you go to the shop and have your eyes set on a pack for your team, you can set a goal and strive to earn enough cash to pay for it. What's nice too is that both the three-point and slam dunk contests are short and sweet so you can easily play it repeatedly without it feeling like a slog.
