NBA Live 2005 Critic Reviews

For this year's game, EA has taken freestyle control to a whole new level. A level so out of control, it's going to change the way you play basketball games...forever.

The on-court action is a monstrous, 52-inch vertical leap forward in authenticity and immersion.

The game's biggest asset is its viscerally thrilling slam dunk contest...The arcadelike nature of dunking makes it an addictive element in an already solid title.

A deep Dynasty Mode and some cool new gameplay additions ensure that you'll be playing the game for months to come, and while we can't say yet if the game will be able to gain ground on its biggest rival, we can say this: NBA Live 2005 is the best EA Sports basketball game ever.

EA did their homework and pulled together a solid basketball game this year. There isn't much to complain about in NBA Live 2005. And with the addition of the Slam Dunk Contest, the replay value is huge.

A great basketball game with excellent gameplay, and the addition of the all-star weekend is a nice treat.

The slam dunk matchup is a slick game within the game, but let's not forget what got you to the gym in the first place. NBA Live 2005 is an all-pro caliber b-ball game that continues to show improvements.

In one year, Live has really transformed its 5-on-5 game into more of a sim without losing the fun and flash of previous seasons, Dynasty mode has been revamped completely, and the AI across the board, from the trade scenarios to how players behave on the court, is far superior to any basketball game EA Canada has ever put out.

All the elements are here and there are only a few quirks that keep it from greatness.

The audience, commentary and noises in the game are superb.

The game isn’t that much different five-on-five style, but the inclusion of online play and cool new game modes puts it over the top. The Dunk Contest in itself is worth the price of admission.

The gameplay is improved a good deal from last year, giving you more of a realistic feel while maintaining a fast-paced arcadey kind of feel. The fight has been taken right to the competition, and EA might just be catching up in the Basketball department.

Buying the game just for the All Star Weekend probably will lead to disappointment but as a package overall it is a great basketball game.

I’d rather buy "NBA 2K5" twice for the $40 NBA Live costs. NBA team comparison: 2003-2004 Los Angeles Lakers – Lots of flash and attention, but in the end it falls short of the title.

In terms of visuals and pace, Live runs circles around rival "ESPN," but the gameplay is still a distant second in terms of execution.

Live gets the nod from me this season, partly 'cause of its extras, which include a three-point and surprisingly deep slam-dunk contest.

While some gamers will be turned off by the lack of total simulation, they still may be intrigued by the extras EA threw in for good measure such as the deep dynasty, slam-dunk contest, and three-point shootout.

Outside of the problematic issues that hinder the Slam Dunk contest, dynasty mode and hiccups with gameplay, NBA Live 2005 still manages to deliver a decent basketball experience for fans of all kinds.

But it's tough for us to say that the dunk mode really adds a lot of value to the franchise, and it's also likely to prove too difficult for most casual players to fully grasp anyway.

Patience and slider adjustment is the key though and depending on your stress threshold, you may actually end up loving it. Be warned, this is not one for those seeking instant gratification.