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.