Let's talk performance and motion. The NBA 2K franchise is often boxy in its controls, precisely calculated animation routines taking dominance over player input. That means tricks are needed to fool the player into giving the illusion of transition animation, movement, and flow. Part of that is the frame rate, which elsewhere is locked near 60fps. Another part--whether or not it's obvious--are the physics applied to the fabric of the jersey.
The Wii U launch edition has neither a stable frame rate nor moving jerseys.
You can say this for 2K Sports: They're completionists. Off the court, the game is a complete effort, jammed with things to do. Online modes, despite almost no one playing (30 people is a peak right now), offer the robust association and career play. My Player is genuinely infectious as you take your chosen star through the ranks of the NBA. With clean-up having taken place over the years to make the scoring system more logical, it's stronger than its been.
Association is a massive undertaking too, a pitch perfect dynasty presentation with an outstanding, layered style to its choices. This too has been improved, and for those away from the game (or stuck with the Wii adaptation), this is probably mind blowing. You wouldn't notice the All Star Weekend content missing either; it was a pre-order bonus and DLC on other consoles. On the Wii U, it doesn't exist period. It's a shame the same can't be said for Jay Z's intrusive involvement as well.
But, it's debatable if any of that matters. It's hard to gloss over what's happening on the court, even with the emphatic commentary and natural chatter of a natural three-man team. Pieces are missing, either animation trimmed or the frame rate unable to pick up the best parts. Fast breaks have the camera trying to clumsily track the action as the ball passes half court, and it's distracting. This is a first attempt with new hardware, and the evidence is inarguable -- NBA 2K13 needs work.
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