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NBA Live 2005
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 17 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 6 votes
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Game Info
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Canada
Genre(s): Sports, Basketball
Players: 4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: September 28, 2004
Summary
The EA Sports Freestyle Control continues to revolutionize your ability to play simulation basketballand, now more than ever, it's about expressing your game in flight with Freestyle Air. In addition to all-new dunks, alley-oops, and adjustable jump shots in mid-air, new user-controlled put-back and tip-in technologies reward players who box out, wipe the glass, and go back up for a quick bucket. On defense, take more control over shot blocking to own the paint. Freestyle Air elevates NBA Live 2005 above the rim in the all-new NBA All-Star Weekend mode by allowing users to take complete control and create jaw-dropping, customized dunks in the Slam Dunk Contest. With thousands of unique dunk scenariosfrom bouncing the ball off the backboard, to jumping from the free throw line, to going between your legs in mid flightFreestyle Air lets you express your game on the court, and above it. Also featuring the 3-Point Shootout, the Rookie Challenge, and the NBA All-Star Game, All-Star Weekend is available as a stand-alone game mode as well as within Dynasty Mode. Be the architect of your own unstoppable dynasty, and watch your franchise flourish for 25 seasons. Jump into games with simulation intervention and use the customizable PDA to stay updated with important league news, team information, and other announcements. New free agency logic allows users to negotiate contracts and manage the salary cap using real dollars for the first time. [Electronic Arts]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: NBA Live 06 NBA Live 2003 NBA Live 2004
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: Games Domain Preview GameSpot Hands-On GameSpy Preview IGN Hands-On Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Play Magazine
For this year's game, EA has taken freestyle control to a whole new level. A level so out of control, it's going to change the way you play basketball games...forever. [Oct 2004, p.89]
PGNx Media
A great basketball game with excellent gameplay, and the addition of the all-star weekend is a nice treat.
Read Full Review >1UP
EA did their homework and pulled together a solid basketball game this year. There isn't much to complain about in NBA Live 2005. And with the addition of the Slam Dunk Contest, the replay value is huge.
Read Full Review >GamePro
The slam dunk matchup is a slick game within the game, but let's not forget what got you to the gym in the first place. NBA Live 2005 is an all-pro caliber b-ball game that continues to show improvements. [Dec 2004, p.140]
IGN
In one year, Live has really transformed its 5-on-5 game into more of a sim without losing the fun and flash of previous seasons, Dynasty mode has been revamped completely, and the AI across the board, from the trade scenarios to how players behave on the court, is far superior to any basketball game EA Canada has ever put out.
Read Full Review >Gaming Age
While some gamers will be turned off by the lack of total simulation, they still may be intrigued by the extras EA threw in for good measure such as the deep dynasty, slam-dunk contest, and three-point shootout.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
Live gets the nod from me this season, partly 'cause of its extras, which include a three-point and surprisingly deep slam-dunk contest. [Bryan; Dec 2004, p.158]
Game Informer
In terms of visuals and pace, Live runs circles around rival "ESPN," but the gameplay is still a distant second in terms of execution. [Nov 2004, p.142]
GameSpy
A deep Dynasty Mode and some cool new gameplay additions ensure that you'll be playing the game for months to come, and while we can't say yet if the game will be able to gain ground on its biggest rival, we can say this: NBA Live 2005 is the best EA Sports basketball game ever.
Read Full Review >TotalGames.net
You really need to appreciate how pick and roll plays work properly because of the solid collision detection or how players act like their real-life counter-parts, such as Allen Iverson lazily dribbling the ball before exploding past his marker with a crossover, to get the most out of this.
Read Full Review >Game Over Online
The addition of the All-Star Weekend is something that was too long in coming, and manages to convey enough changes to warrant an upgrade for longtime fans of the series.
Read Full Review >BonusStage
The game is nearly identical to last year’s game, with only a few improvements to speak of. The inclusion of the All-Star Weekend is a nice touch, but it doesn’t really provide anything revolutionary to the genre.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Plays a solid game of basketball, but even the flashy new features can't hide the fact that it isn't a huge step up from last year's edition.
Read Full Review >Nintendo Power
Does it work when distilled down to the basics? The answer for NBA Live 2005 is a resounding yes. [Dec 2004, p.146]
Game Revolution
It’s surprisingly robust and looks very cool thanks to the great animations, that’s for sure, but the whole Dunk Contest isn’t very intuitive.
Read Full Review >Yahoo! Games
A fun basketball title, but this isn't one of those "must-have" years, unless All-Star Weekend is something you absolutely can't live without. EA just didn't bring its "A"-game for '05.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 6 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
David A. gave it an8:
Tight game, I like the multiplayer stuff. The Dunk contest is tight to get an automatic 50 just press L+R use x for the gather and tap x again for like 1.5 seconds then let go. Get this game it's cool.
W. H. gave it a10:
A very good basketball game, with loads of options and new things! Top notch!
Charlie F. gave it a9:
I absolutely love this game and it's very addictive. I only have a couple minor complaints. 1)the camera angles. There isn't a single angle that lets me see all of the action. When the camera faces the basket, it's tough to judge distance and you end up out of bounds more times than you'd like, or bouncing off the out-of-bounds side of the backboard. 2)playing the realistic 12-minute quarters leads to un-realistic 120+ efforts every game. 3)TOO MANY BLOCKS!!! Both the computer and your own team block too easily. Even setting both team's blocking ability to zero has NO EFFECT! Other than these complaints, this is definately a must-own game for any basketball fan. Oh, one more thing. It takes forever to create the players that are missing.
John R. gave it a10:
Very good action best live series yet.
Jizz gave it a 10:
Bitchin'.
