An improvement, but still lacking in realism.

As a basketball fan, I haven't kept up with the game since Ewing left the Knicks, but I still enjoy a good game of basketball in the videogame world, be it pro or college. As a gamer, I have not felt that EA has really lived up to the glory days of the Live series on the PS one during this generation. The games have been fast paced, sure, but the level of authenticity and realism just doesn't feel as if it is being captured to the fullest degree. I know that EA likes to try to balance realism and arcade action, but being the dominant sports developers/publishers, I would expect nothing but the best. In reviewing NBA Live 06, I have to say that the same goes for even EA's latest version of the series. Plenty of show and go, but the game just does not feel paced to realism. For gamers who just want to shoot, slam, and take it to guys in the paint, this game will more than meet your expectations. If you are looking for a game filled with strategy and intense pressure, you may want to get your hoops action elsewhere.

NBA Live does what EA must have set out to do, bring a game that does mix the fast-paced action of an arcade game, and the final outcome box scores of a simulation and mix them together in perfect harmony. To say that NBA Live 06 is a blast to play is true, but it can never be said that it replicates the sport accurately as a simulation. EA has brought out a new engine complete with new player visuals. The game is cleaner and provides new and slick animations full of razzle-dazzle. Unfortunately, it now seems as if they have taken a page from the Madden series and increased the head sizes to overbearing proportions. This is a real shame as instead of looking impressive and realistic, it comes off looking cartoonier, especially with the game's over-use of colors. What does look brilliant are the tons of new animations such as no look dishes, behind the back passes, blocked shots, taunts, and a bevy of new slam animations. All the NBA courts are present and are replicated perfectly, from the parquet flooring of the Boston Garden, to the ugly teal blue of the Hornets. The presentation is the best the series has ever seen with TV style cut scenes and wash away cuts that gives the game that added boost of intensity. While the game does look very good in most ways, the framerate does hamper the overall appearance, as you will see occasional slowdown, especially when there are plenty of fans on screen as well. While this slowdown does not hurt gameplay, it really comes down to a polish issue that makes the game feel unfinished. Audio is brilliant with active crowds, wonderful sound effects, and fantastic play by play from Marv Albert and Steve Kerr. Even during the All Star Weekend mode, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith bring their own unique flavor to action on the court. EA Trax is back providing some hip hop beats to get ya'flowin'.

Game play is what I defined earlier as a great mix between arcade and simulation. This means that you receive accurate scores, while have a blast doing it. A new control mechanism (hold the left trigger and tap one of the four face buttons) allows you to make NBA superstars perform like their real-life counterparts. You can go strong to the hole with new dunks in the paint, dish no looks and behind the back passes on command, leap with ability and creativity while dunking over your foes, reverse the ball, go behind your back, and switch hands with your top scorers, increase your ballers accuracy by choosing how they want to shoot, and finally stop the opposition with incredible blocked shots, steals and rebounds only seen in the NBA. Toss in a very strong A.I. and not only is the game fun, but competitive as well.

All the modes you want are here so you can play NBA Live 06 through to the next season. Exhibition, Season, Dynasty, Slam Dunk Contest, Three Point Shootout, Practice, and Online modes are all at your disposal. You may even download rosters if you wish to keep your teams updated when big trades go down.

I still would like to see the series evolve a bit more and go back to games like Live 98 when it comes to realistic gameplay pacing and physics. I hope that with the release of the next generation systems and the power they possess, we will see the NBA truly come to life. For now, NBA Live 06 provides a fun and explosive game for fans who want to just run and gun to the hoop, with all the over the top moves and flare that go with such a title.