With the NBA�s regular season in full swing, basketball fans have been craving their Xbox� hoops fix since opening tip off. They don�t have to wait any longer.

Microsoft Game Studios announced today that �NBA Inside Drive 2004�, is now available on store shelves across North America. The third installment of the Xbox-exclusive basketball franchise makes its debut as the inaugural basketball title in Microsoft�s XSN Sports� brand. With all-new online playability via Xbox Live� and the free agent acquisition of three-time NBA Champion Shaquille O�Neal, who will serve as the game�s official cover athlete and spokesperson, �NBA Inside Drive 2004� is poised to take hoopsters beyond the box. Like many NBA teams this offseason, �NBA Inside Drive 2004� retooled its arsenal and returns to the court this year with a force, offering gamers the ultimate online basketball gaming experience. Fueled by the power of XSN Sports and its exclusive web-based technology, �NBA Inside Drive 2004� makes it possible for sports fans and sports gamers to create and customize their own leagues and tournaments on the centralized website XSNsports.com. Gamers can then go one-on-one with their best friends and bitter rivals online via Xbox Live and always stay plugged into the competition with stats and standings updated every 15 minutes so hard-earned bragging rights can never be disputed.