NBA Live 2001 Review

The new edition of NBA Live doesn't really offer much in the way of new features--but it's still one of the best basketball games available.

EA Sports' NBA Live series arguably hasn't changed much since its 1995 debut on the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis consoles, but back then, the series was revolutionary. It ushered in the isometric perspective for basketball games, which was previously unheard of since most developers liked to stick with the TV-like sideline camera angle. The gameplay was equally different--for example, the first NBA Live game dramatically increased the speed of the sport with options such as speed bursts and quick post-up moves--but it still managed to seem like an accurate simulation of the real-life sport. The NBA Live series quickly began to grow in popularity and eventually reigned as the premier basketball game across all platforms. But, as the years passed, players started to realize that the successive iterations of the Live series featured fewer and fewer improvements and modifications to the gameplay. The new 2001 edition of the series also continues in the tradition of most of its predecessors in that it doesn't really offer much in the way of new features--but likewise, it's still one of the best basketball games available.

The action is as fast as in previous installments

The gameplay modes in NBA Live 2001 are nearly identical to those of its predecessor, NBA Live 2000. There's an exhibition mode in which you select any two teams and jump right into a game. The season mode lets you play through the entire 2000-2001 NBA season, where you can start out with a draft or use the default rosters for each team. Once you actually begin the season, you can reorder your roster, change players' positions, and sign or release players without worrying about whether or not one player is actually more valuable than the other. There's also a basic playoff mode in which you can skip the 2000-2001 season entirely and head straight for the playoffs.

The popular one-on-one mode reappears in NBA Live 2001 with updated rosters, and, for the most part, it's identical to that of NBA Live 2000. This mode lets you challenge the greatest players of all time in a one-on-one game that takes place on an outdoor playground. So, for example, if you've ever wondered if Vince Carter is truly the next Michael Jordan, you can find out by pitting the two against each other. Or, if you want to see who really is better--Michael Jordan or Wilt Chamberlain--you can set up that game as well. The single-player one-on-one mode is executed really well. Even on the highest difficulty setting, in which the computer-controlled player will hang right on your jersey, it's still possible to find a small opening and take the ball right to the basket with a ferocious dunk. In multiplayer, one-on-one sessions are also fun because it's just you and the other player putting on your best show of advanced basketball skills.

The graphics are more detailed than before

The franchise mode also makes a return in NBA Live 2001. It's ideal for those who like to take on the role of general manager in a much more detailed manner than what the regular season mode offers. Once you start a season, you have access to options similar to those found in the basic season mode--you can reorder the roster and edit players, as well as make trades, sign free agents, and drop players. However, unlike in the season mode, each of your actions is influenced by a point total that essentially serves as NBA Live's version of money. For example, if you want to sign Tim Duncan, who's approximately worth 300,000 points, and you have only 120,000 points available for your team, then you can't sign him. But, like a true general manager, you can find ways to get what you want by releasing players, trading current players or draft selections, and signing new players at the right time. Trades operate in a similar manner--you can't just trade a good player for an all-star, so trying to trade Patrick Ewing for Shaquille O'Neal isn't going to work unless you throw in a few more high-quality players like Gary Payton. The only problem with the franchise mode is that the trade menus aren't as intuitive as they should be, so making a simple trade can end up taking more time than necessary. The additional ability to make three-team trades can compound the problem, though it's a welcome feature otherwise.

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NBA Live 2001

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