There is now a huge influx of basketball games with the turn of a new year. With the review of 2K6 behind us all, let's lace up our sneakers once more and take to the courts with NBA Live 06. Similar to the Madden games, the NBA Live series always puts in a new feature every year or improves on the physics, features, or game play of the last year. Will it hold up against 2K6, though? Seeing that they were both released simultaneously it's going to be a tough call, but we will find out in this review.

Gameplay:

The most important feature in any sports game is how long it will hold your attention before it all gets too old. It's hard to say which game is taking after which; 2k6 and Live 06 both have the same idea with the dribbling stick. Yet there are some subtle differences in the game play after digging deeper past the presentation and game modes.

It’s very easy to get started. From the beginning there is the option to simply ‘Play now’ or dive in deeper and check out the Dynasty Mode, NBA All-Star weekend, Freestyle Challenge, One-on-One, Slam Dunk Skill and Online. While the modes each have their own unique styles of play, the lack of a mode like 2K6's 24/7 leaves a little to be desired. The best stand-ins for the 24/7 Mode are the One-on-One or Dynasty Modes. With One-on-One, players simply take on everyone. It's very fun to test and compare skills to different players throughout the NBA roster and gain the ultimate bragging rights as well. The dynasty mode is also a worthy contender for the hardcore players.

The year round calendar keeps you busy with a multitude of duties, hiring staff, training camp, roster management. Next to all this, there’s also the sim intervention during the dynasty. It’s as simple as it sounds. During a game you can simply take over with time off the clock to make a come back or hold onto a strong lead.

Aside from the actual intervention, the dynasty mode really plays out like a season on television. Towards the end, there’s an opportunity to recap on the past, make any improvements to training or players chosen, and start a new season. The Dynasty Mode is NBA Live's own personal touch to customization in a sports game giving a different view on the life of not just the player, but the manager and the team.

Teamwork plays a vital role in the game, aside from the additional player specifics of 2K6. Live offers a lot of the same abilities and then some. With a directional setup similar to the dribbling stick, a player can perform the usual crossovers, increase dribbling, or other moves. In combination with off-screen plays and calls to fellow teammates, this feature makes it a bit easier, if not intuitive, to make plays flow.

For example, holding the left analog stick to move the player and the right to dribble takes a bit of getting used to. Taking this concept, play on the court moves very quickly and smoothly. In addition to the dribble stick there is the slam dunk system. Quite similar to its brother title, NBA Street, taking a player to the hole for a dunk has never been any more natural.

As you reach the hole, or dunk zone the player can get some air and with a few button taps you can perform hawks, spins, give and go’s and tons of other moves. It’s very fun and the different dunks give the game a wide variety of new things to try and see. Along with a colorful roster, a deep dribbling system and plenty of modes, Live's gameplay seems to have the court covered.


That move'll break some ankles... literally.

Control:

Obviously, control plays a huge role in the game with the use of both analog sticks during game play. The flow of the game follows along with the familiarity that comes with much practice. Moving down the court will have its snags along the way but the initial directional control of your character (minus the dribble stick) is highly responsive.

Not only is it important to control your own player but also any other player on the court in different ways. Although every player comes with his own set of ‘superstar’ moves and plays, it turns slightly arcade. It flows down in a difference of character styles. High fliers and power superstars do exactly as you would guess; break through the defense and usually take off when within range of the rim. Shooters obviously take the 3-pointers and shots with or without a hand in their face and usually make it. With those things in mind, taking a highly offensive player within range of the rim then passing it off to one of your shooters or scorers would be beneficial. Although EA has tried, the game's controls are a bit too arcade for most heavy sim players at heart.