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By Kyle Johnson on February 16th, 2002
Introduction Over the past few console generations, actually starting around the N64/PSX eras, basketball games have become more popular. For years, Electronic Arts has released many versions of its NBA Live series onto multiple consoles; including the PlayStation and Nintendo 64. Now, it’s not only on 2 consoles, but it’s on 3. Since the Xbox version is a port of the PlayStation 2 version, does this actually have negative and positive effects on the game? We’ll soon find out.Presentation The NBA Live series has always been easy to navigate around. There’s no complicated way to get to the menu that you want to be at. Overall, the menu system for NBA Live 2002 is nothing different than the previous versions of the title…from what I’ve been told at least.The controls in the game are near perfect for the Xbox controller. All the buttons get used, including the “back” button. The only thing you don’t use really is the right analog stick, but I’m sure there’s a control setting that takes use of this. Graphics & Sound NBA Live 2002 has to be one of the best-looking basketball games of all time! Yeah yeah, I know Sega Sports fans will claim that the NBA 2k series is the best looking, but that’s why I stated that NBA Live 2002 is one of the best. The development team of Live 2002 must have traveled to the cities in which these teams play, and modeled the stadiums and courts using them. They look amazing!The character models aren’t that bad, but not that real looking. Sure, Reggie Miller has no hair in real life, so there’s one plus for the development team on Reggie’s character model. The courts themselves look amazing. Your able to tell where the wood is for the flooring, and the court floor is shinny enough to see your own reflection (not of you personally, but of your player). No glitches were detected while playing the game. But I’m sure they’re there. Obviously they are there, as every game as a glitch in the graphics in them. Remember going to the basketball game with your family? Well, it’s time to bring back those memories. It’s almost hard not to with the screaming fans in the crowd, and the music playing when you hit the long distance 3 pointer, or the reverse slam. The music, just like real life, is amazing. Of course, if your able to hear the crowd cheer when you make a basket, the sound effects had better be good. Well, they are. That is, if your consider listening to screeching shoes on the floor good sound effects. All in all, EA did a good job on the sound effects and music for NBA Live 2002. Gameplay The game itself is fun to play, and very addicting. I never thought I could witness the Indiana Pacers actually beating the L.A. Lakers, but they did, under my control! Your teammates will actually assist you on your drive towards the basket, which is a big help. Not only will your teammates assist you while you drive towards the basket, but if you wish them to, they’ll block for you as well. So if there’s a guy you can’t shake, let them know, and they’ll block the guy for you while your attempt a baseline 3.There’s no use really playing a single 5 on 5 game, when you can start a franchise with an NBA team of your choice, in my case my hometown team of the Indiana Pacers, and taking them all the way to the finals. NBA Live 2k2’s franchise mode is almost identical to NFL Fever 2002’s dynasty mode. Your able to trade players that you don’t like, and pick up players from free agency and other teams to create your all-star team. If you think your not real good at a basketball game, then use the practice mode to your advantage, and, well, practice. Once your done with that, test your skills on the court in either a 5 on 5 game, or a 1 one 1 game. Sorry kiddies, no horse. There are no complaints with the controls of the game. They’re absolutely amazing and easy to use. It’s easy to shoot, pass, fake shoot, crossover, and of course, turbo your ass down the court for the dunk! Lasting Appeal After owning NBA Live 2002 for 1 day, I am hooked on it. I cannot set the controller down for nothing, except for this review of course. I am only 6 games into my 82 game season, so I will be playing this game a lot. I haven’t tried multiplayer yet, but that’s coming next week. After playing other EA Sports games multiplayer, I know what I’m in for. Some kick ass fun!Conclusion The game is awesome. There are not many words to describe the game, but awesome covers pretty much all of them. Sure, Sega Sports may have a good NBA game out, and Microsoft just released their NBA Inside Drive 2002 for the Xbox, but there’s always room for EA Sport’s NBA title. If you’re not too sure about EA Sports, then I suggest you go rent this game and see how much fun you have. |
