I have been playing the NBA Live game series since I was in grade school and I’ve seen how EA and the game itself matured into what its is now today. I started playing NBA Live 2003 back when I was in 5th grade and since then, I’ve never missed the opportunity to purchase the latest editions of the game. I always play the game during late nights (after doing school works), during weekends, and almost the entire day during vacations. I even felt bad when I bought the NBA Live 06 in year 2006 because I felt that I was so left behind. (Note that NBA Live 2000 + X is always released late in the year 2000 + (X-1). I also patch and update my NBA Live games regularly and download the latest and craziest mods available in the net. Lastly, I also learned some rarely used rules of basketball and imitate basketball moves from that game. Heck, I even simulate the outcome of real-life NBA games using NBA Live. Having said that, I guess you could officially consider me as an avid NBA Live fan (and addict). NBA Live has really been a part of my life and it is undeniably my favorite computer game in the planet.
Now going to what this post really is about, you can see in the title that this post is my personal review of the NBA Live series. All reviews I will be writing are all based in my personal experiences regarding the game. Other gamers might object or disagree but I will really appreciate if you could add your insights/ suggestions to my NBA Live review. So here it goes starting with 2003…
NBA Live 2003
Cover Boy: Jason Kidd
Graphics: The graphics back then looked boxy and simplistic. The jerseys do not crumple, the net does not swish, players don’t sweat etc.
Gameplay: The shot blocks back then were beyond the realm of reason. The players spike like a volleyball player and the ball goes to the backcourt and rolls to baseline of the other team’s side. The players can dunk from behind the glass and their hands just passes through it as if it were nothing. The crossovers were also killer, one press of the crossover button will leave the enemy behind easily so there’s really no challenge for the gamer. The dunks were simplistic and lacks variety but its understandable back then.
Comments: The first NBA Live series I’ve played. I might have forgotten most of the details that I encountered back then. haha. My favorite team in this release is the Dallas Mavericks.
NBA Live 2004
Cover Boy: Vince Carter
Graphics: The graphics resemble that of 2003, not much of a difference.
Gameplay: This is the year when Dynasty Mode was introduced. I really enjoyed the Dynasty Mode that time because of the magazine covers that pop out every year (not present in other NBA Lives) haha. There has been a considerable amount of signature shoe additions and really made player edition/ creation more interesting. Game sliders, preferences sliders and player stats sliders are really easy to adjust because there is a literal ’slider’ for each attribute. The future NBA Live releases however, takes a long time to edit attributes because of the one by one incrementing and decrementing. Unlike its predecessor, blocking this time is not volleyball-like anymore. During the game itself, a gamer could score more than 400 points in a 48 minute game because it is so easy to steal the ball from an opponent. Again, no challenge for the gamer.
Comments: I find this NBA Live the easiest to play and configure, thanks to the easily adjustable sliders. My favorite team in this release is still the Dallas Mavericks.
NBA Live 2005
Cover Boy: Carmelo Anthony
Graphics: The player faces became more detailed in this release and player movements were more realistic but player collisions sometimes glitch (players passing through each other like ghosts).
Gameplay: The My NBA Live feature of this release rocks. There have been numerous additions to the signature shoes, hardwood classic jerseys. The My NBA Live screen looked like a real nike stadium + lounge(w/ plasma tv) + a huge room for trophies and retired jerseys. Freestyle air also took a big leap in this NBA Live because of the mid-air shot adjustments. Compared to its predecessor, it’s not as easy to steal the ball from the opponent (but its still easy). However, shot blocking and miracle shots are beyond the realm of reason because a 7 foot center can be blocked by a guard about 6′3″ easily from behind. The Dynasty Mode incorporated the idea of a PDA look and feel but it doesn’t really have a bearing on player performance and winning games. haha. Last but not least, All Star Weekend mode made its debut in this release and I really enjoyed the game because of this. Now, gamers have the option of playing other types of games other than the dull 5 on 5.
Comments: This is the NBA Live I am currently playing even if it’s already 2009. My favorite team in this release is the San Antonio Spurs.
NBA Live 06
Cover Boy: Dwyane Wade
Graphics: Improved player faces, jersey and shoe details. They are almost realistic but player and backboard collision issues are still unfixed.
Gameplay: This NBA Live release marked a new era in the series because the Superstar triggers were introduced. This on one side entertaining because highflyers soar and scorers do lots of cool moves. On the other side, made the gameplay looked so much like space jam. You could trigger Dwyane Wade to jump from the freethrow line and over Yao Ming (yes, OVER, like what Nate did to Dwight in the Dunk contest) while treys looked like unblockable miracle shots. (Sidenote: This NBA Live is also the first to have a rectangle logo because its predecessors all had circular ones. )
Comments: My favorite team on this release is the Miami Heat.
NBA Live 07
Cover Boy: Tracy McGrady
Graphics: Very much like 06. Foot planting is improved thus, players do not ice skate anymore. The backboard and player collision issues are still unresolved.
Gameplay: The freethrow system was modified in this release. You have the option to simulate the players freethrow if you know that his FT% is high or you can do it manually otherwise. Freethrow shooting does not anymore use the shining crosshair on the glass but instead requires the gamer to time perfectly the pull up and the release of the players shot. This is rather easier than its predecessors. Superstar triggers are still present but Godlike moves are not. Superstar triggers are still wild but now normalized within the laws of physics. Other than those, the gameplay is much like 06.
Comments: This release is like NBA Live 06 that underwent a year of patching. I liked the freethrow system though. My favorite team on this release is the Phoenix Suns.
NBA Live 08
Cover Boy: Gilbert Arenas
Graphics: The details were really, really realistic. This however takes its toll on the machine/ console. Jerseys move in response to player movements, players sweat and show more emotion. Commentators throw a wide variety of trivias about players. Mid-air contacts look realistic too while player and backboard collision glitches seldom occur.
Gameplay: As expected, this release provides the most realistic gameplay among its predecessors. Gamers can set up plays like screens, high-low, rotation and spacing. Superstar triggers are removed in this released which is half sad because highlight moves are minimal and half good because of more realistic gameplay. Of all the NBA Live series I played, this is the only one that has a deadball glitch because the program terminates a few seconds after a timeout or an injury is called. Luckily this glitch can be remedied by pressing the ‘Start’ button after hearing the whistle. This release also impressed me with its Defensive Lockdown feature which applies more body contact on the offensive players (e.g. prevents them from positioning well). Lastly, it is hard to block and steal the ball from the opponent which can only be done with proper timing, positioning and luck. It is easy to intercept the ball from the inbounder though which I consider a ‘hack’ in the game. haha.
Comments: This is the release which I played the longest. I enjoyed this game because I can orchestrate the plays I want and I am now challenged with the way the computer plays, unlike its predecessors. My favorite team on this release is the San Antonio Spurs and the Boston Celtics.
OrEv.
Tags: sports, Basketball, NBA, live, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, games, gaming, computer game, computer games, national basketball association, nba live, series, nba live series, review, spurs, celtics, mavs, mavericks, wade, dwyane, miami, heat, dallas, boston, san antonio
