NBA Live 98

"Why did I waste my 100th review on this lackluster game?"

I don't understand why so many people think NBA Live '98 is the best basketball game ever. Could they be impressed by 98's killer franchise mode? No, there isn't one. How about the hundreds of ways to customize the game? No, you can't customize the game that much. How about the outstanding graphics or electrifying sound? Uh, no. It's easy to tell that NBA Live '98 is one highly overrated basketball game.

First things first, NBA Live '98 is not a very accurate basketball simulation. Sure, the game keeps track of your stats and it offers you the chance to call plays, but Live doesn't do a very good job of carrying out those aspects. For example, in the season mode, other players' stats will reflect on the number of minutes you have the quarters set on. Seven minute quarters are pretty accurate to real life stats (70-90 team ppg) when YOU actually play them, but when the computer sims the other games the scores are only in the 40-60 team ppg range. That means that the player's stats will be screwed up, too, as the leading high scorer will only be averaging around 15 ppg. I've always hated that part of the NBA Live games.

The computer AI is damn near retarded in NBA Live 98. The computer opponent will waste time (even when there is very little time on the clock) for no reason, take stupid shots, and call timeouts at absurd points of time. It annoys the hell out of me every time I steal the ball and have a definite fastbreak situation, the computer will call timeout and make some asinine substitutions. Makes no sense at all.

The computer isn't anywhere near challenging, either. Even on the highest level of difficulty, you should be able to beat your opponent by 20 or more points every time. Holding the turbo button and driving toward the basket will almost always net you an open shot and an easy two points. There is absolutely no challenge in the game. Every game will be a blowout and every game will also be a bore. Boring games = no fun.

NBA Live '98 offers nothing new as far as game modes go. There's the usual exhibition, season, playoffs, and three point shootout modes, nothing more. Out of that small selection of modes, the three point shootout is best. Up to eight players can duke out in a shootout just like the ones found in the All-Star Break. Three point shootout is great fun, no matter how many players there are. It's just a shame that the rest of the game isn't as good as the shootout mode.

NBA Live '98 offers some solid and user friendly controls, aside from the turbo button. The turbo button makes things too easy on offense and too difficult on defense. EA Sports should have just scrapped the button altogether. The shooting controls, however, are fine, as are the rest of the control system.

NBA Live '98 features some of the ugliest looking players I have seen in a Playstation basketball game. EA Sports claims to have true-to-life player faces, but if that were true then we would all have blocky heads with deformed facial parts. Thankfully, the faces are only noticeable during close-ups (like replays). On the court, the players look alright. It is easy to distinguish between two different teams and the players are all of different sizes. The biggest problem I noticed with the graphics, though, were the jittery animations. Players frequently go through each other and they often start a new animation while they are already in the middle of a different animation. Oh, and as always, the crowd looks horrid.

One thing that EA Sports has always done well in their basketball games, including NBA Live '98, is include some great sound. The crowd sounds great, getting excited when you score a few quick baskets then starting a ''DEE-FENCE'' chant after your quick scoring run. The game also features commentary by the same people who do the TBS broadcasts. The commentary is pretty decent since they do a good job of calling the action, but the announcers never really get excited. Believe it or not, excited announcers can add a lot to the game experience. Still, the sound is great.

NBA Live '98 is definitely not the greatest basketball game ever. Hell, it's not even great. With its awkward season stat-tracking, poor AI, lack of a challenge, and subpar graphics, the game is a waste of time. Unless you are a game collector (like me), don't bother with this subpar game of b-ball.

Best Feature: Easy to pick up and play.
Worst Feature: No challenge.

Final Analysis:
Graphics 5/10 - ugly players, jittery animations
Sound 7/10 - decent commentary, great presentation
Gameplay 4/10 - poor AI, nothing new to offer
Control 7/10 - easy to learn, but turbo button should be eliminated
Replay Value 3/10 - three point shootout saves it from a 1 or 2
Challenge 1/10 - not difficult at all, not even at the highest level!
Overall 4/10

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 03/27/02, Updated 03/27/02