NBA Live 2001

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NBA Live 2001

EA takes it's highly successful NBA Live franchise to the PlayStation 2 console. The 2001 edition is the seventh version of the game.

Thanks to the graphical power of Sony's new system, EA Sports has taken video gamers closer than ever to the real-life pro sports action. In NBA Live 2001 they deliver amazingly detailed players and arenas as well as all of the away-from-the-ball action that you'd expect to see in the NBA game of the week on NBC or TNT. At first I wasn't that impressed with the graphics, but the more I've played it the more I like what they have done. The individual-player graphics are a bit uneven. While most of the bodies are well rendered, many of the faces are way off the mark. Virtual Shaquille O'Neal's face looks nothing like the real Shaq's face, and most of the NBA's lesser name players are completely unrecognizable. However most of the marquee players, like Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan, look fairly authentic. There are also times during the game were some of the animations and ball movements just flat out look awkward.

The audio and sound effects for the game are done really well. A lot of times this department can really kill a game, like when commentators become unbearably annoying and repetitive and you are forced to turn them off. None of those problems here though with Don Poier doing play-by-play and color commentary by Robert Elliot . The color commentary is dead-on accurate and quite lively. No monotone voiceovers here, just exciting commentary that moves right along with the flow of the game. Also before each game the home teams starting five are introduced with music and flashing lights as the announcer belts out the players names which adds to the realistic presentation of the games. The music by Montell "this is how we do it" Jordan that is used in the menu screens can at times be a little annoying, but thankfully it can be turned off pretty easily.

The game is packed with several options like exhibition, season, classic all-star teams, and one-on-one modes. However there is no franchise mode which is a huge disappointment, at least in my opinion, I mean it's included on the regular PS version of the game why not carry it over to the PS2? They have also ditched the Three Point Challenge from the game which was also a favorite. The create-a-player option also seems a bit limited when compared to past NBA Live games is a little frustrating.

The game play portion of the Live series has always been one of its strong suits and this year is no exception. There is a lot to do both on offense and defense because Live 2001 gives you complete control of your team. You can get as detailed as changing the defensive match-up for each individual player, or as basic as man-to-man. Also there are so many ways to control your player individually. You can call for picks, spin, post up, pump fake, crossover dribble, and push off. Whatever the pros can do, you can do.

NBA Live 2001 could have and should have been the greatest basketball game out there but missing game play elements and a few other glitches keep it from superstar status. There are several areas in which the PS1 version kills the PS2 version which should NEVER happen. However despite it all, PS2 owners and longtime NBA Live fans will be hard pressed to find a better hoops game for their console until the 2002 version hit's stores.


	Steamer Trunk \| home stuff about me \| album reviews \| PS2 game reviews \| pictures \| web watch \| getting in touch NCAA Final Four 2002 \| Grand Theft Auto \| EA NHL 2002 \| Dave Mirra BMX \| Nascar Heat 2002 \| Crazy Taxi \| Madden 2002 \| NCAA Football 2002 \| Madden 2001 \| Triple Play \| Knockout Kings \| NBA Live 2001 \| ESPN Hockey Night \| NCAA Final Four NBA Live 2001 EA takes it's highly successful NBA Live franchise to the PlayStation 2 console. The 2001 edition is the seventh version of the game. Thanks to the graphical power of Sony's new system, EA Sports has taken video gamers closer than ever to the real-life pro sports action. In NBA Live 2001 they deliver amazingly detailed players and arenas as well as all of the away-from-the-ball action that you'd expect to see in the NBA game of the week on NBC or TNT. At first I wasn't that impressed with the graphics, but the more I've played it the more I like what they have done. The individual-player graphics are a bit uneven. While most of the bodies are well rendered, many of the faces are way off the mark. Virtual Shaquille O'Neal's face looks nothing like the real Shaq's face, and most of the NBA's lesser name players are completely unrecognizable. However most of the marquee players, like Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan, look fairly authentic. There are also times during the game were some of the animations and ball movements just flat out look awkward. The audio and sound effects for the game are done really well. A lot of times this department can really kill a game, like when commentators become unbearably annoying and repetitive and you are forced to turn them off. None of those problems here though with Don Poier doing play-by-play and color commentary by Robert Elliot . The color commentary is dead-on accurate and quite lively. No monotone voiceovers here, just exciting commentary that moves right along with the flow of the game. Also before each game the home teams starting five are introduced with music and flashing lights as the announcer belts out the players names which adds to the realistic presentation of the games. The music by Montell "this is how we do it" Jordan that is used in the menu screens can at times be a little annoying, but thankfully it can be turned off pretty easily. The game is packed with several options like exhibition, season, classic all-star teams, and one-on-one modes. However there is no franchise mode which is a huge disappointment, at least in my opinion, I mean it's included on the regular PS version of the game why not carry it over to the PS2? They have also ditched the Three Point Challenge from the game which was also a favorite. The create-a-player option also seems a bit limited when compared to past NBA Live games is a little frustrating. The game play portion of the Live series has always been one of its strong suits and this year is no exception. There is a lot to do both on offense and defense because Live 2001 gives you complete control of your team. You can get as detailed as changing the defensive match-up for each individual player, or as basic as man-to-man. Also there are so many ways to control your player individually. You can call for picks, spin, post up, pump fake, crossover dribble, and push off. Whatever the pros can do, you can do. NBA Live 2001 could have and should have been the greatest basketball game out there but missing game play elements and a few other glitches keep it from superstar status. There are several areas in which the PS1 version kills the PS2 version which should NEVER happen. However despite it all, PS2 owners and longtime NBA Live fans will be hard pressed to find a better hoops game for their console until the 2002 version hit's stores.