I'll stick with 2K6... only go with LIVE if you're a casual fan and like your basketball unrealistic and arcadey.
User Rating: 7 | NBA Live 06 PS2
I spent last weekend at my boy's place and we basically stayed in playing this all weekend, 3 days straight (well, four...took off work Friday). I'll make this nice and simple... if you like your basketball unrealistic and arcadey, if you like your players ice-skating all over the court rather than running, then this is for you- puritans and true fans need not apply. True, the ability to chose your own shots and passes is hot but thats not enought to carry this game. Graphically this is the best in the series but come on, let's be real... even NBA 2K4 smokes this graphically- LIVE characters are like barbie dolls next to the realistic player models in 2K6. The only thing LIVE excels at imho is audio/commentary/music. The LIVE series has always been more arcadey than realistic and for years b-ball puritans have known that no other game beats the 2k series (football AND basketball) in realism- a fact that even EA knows hence the NFL licence buyout. I used to be a LIVE fan pre 2K3 but believe me, all EA's bell's and whistles do not make up for realism and substance which is what any true fan wants (oh, and the slam dunk competion is truly incredible but does not compare to creating your own custom street-baller in 24/7 and taking him online against other custom players in a 3 on 3 full-court run).
I don't always agree with the gamespot reviewers but they were on the money with this one. I'm not biased or anything- just trade Kobe's arrogant ***, name Kidd 2002 MVP, give me a quality basketball videogame and I'm happy. I give LIVE 06 a 7.0 tops because although it is the best title in the series it's also the most unrealistic/arcadey. Comparing this to 2K6 is like comparing NBA Hoopz to LIVE itself... not in the same league.
