NBA 2K6 is a 2005 basketball simulation video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports. It is the seventh installment in the NBA 2K franchise and the successor to ESPN NBA 2K5. It was released in 2005 for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Xbox 360. Shaquille O'Neal of the Miami Heat is the cover athlete of the game. NBA 2K6 is the predecessor to NBA 2K7 in the NBA 2K series and is the first NBA 2K title to be released by 2K Sports. NBA 2K6 strives to simulate the experience of the National Basketball Association. Players mostly play NBA games with any real-world team, and may customize various aspects. Players play basketball games in a variety of modes, such as quick play, online, and Association. Unlike the other games in the series, the soundtrack does not feature licensed music, and instead features songs made by various artists exclusively for the game. Cover athlete Shaquille O'Neal helped in the marketing and development aspects of the game. O'Neal, among other things, provided the motion capture for several of the in-game animations. NBA 2K6 received positive reviews from critics upon release. Most positive comments were concerning the player designs, commentary, overall gameplay, and soundtrack, but negative comments were directed at the controls, menus, and the lack of drastic improvements. Gameplay NBA 2K6 is a basketball video game that strives to simulate the experience of the National Basketball Association. Players mostly play NBA games with any real world team, and may customize certain aspects, such as the camera angle, sound levels, and sliders, which adjust the realism. Players can play quick games, as well as other game modes, including Association, where players select a team, and play through NBA seasons, customizing various aspects. Players act as the manager of the team, trading players, drafting college players, firing coaches, and playing NBA games of various levels (playoffs, regular season, practice, etc.). Gameplay-wise, players may play basketball games with the whole team or one player, and will perform all the basic basketball moves that the individual player can perform. The player can dunk, pass, play in the post, run plays, call timeouts, and blocks shots (etc.). The game features many visual and presentation elements that help improve the realism; the game includes commentary, crowd animations, lighting effects, sound effects, and other small details. Kevin Harlan is the play-by-play commentator, Kenny Smith is the