NBA Live 2004

"Best basketball game out there"

This is in my experience, The best basketball game out there on the market, but that doesn't say much. Their is a lot to improve before this becomes a must have game.

Graphics- 7/10- Here's a plus. You can actually TELL that the basketball courts are polished! What basketball game on the market has the capability to show that?! The only minus here is EA could have done a much better job on the players faces as they really don't look like the real players do in real life.

Gameplay- 6/10- ANNOYING! thats one way to put this, When you first start out your game, you will lose A LOT! Your players will miss a shot, get beaten on the fast breaks, and get blocked. If you miss a shot or commit ONE turnover it swings the momentum towards your opponents, and that is not a good thing. One GREAT plus in the gameplay is it is solid, and MANY modes to choose from. The main one, as you already guessed is dynasty. One feature this dynasty has that is cool, is if your player is a superstar, and he retires your team retires the jersey number with him. Another Plus is if your player shoots the ball at the buzzer and it goes in, The referees review the play and actually TELL you if it counts or not! This is one great thing that makes the game feel realistic!

Controls- 7/10- Some are fairly easy to learn others aren't. Please tell me, why are their two buttons to shoot? Especially when one of them really lowers my chances into making a shot.

Sound- 10/10- The in-game music is wonderful No complaints. For the main menu music though, i wish they had more variety of songs. Not everyone likes rap, and you can easily put in a couple more songs.

Buy/rent- I suggest you rent this first, some may like it some may not. It all depends on how good you are in basketball games. As this game can be fun and exciting or dull, annoying, and boring.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 07/03/04