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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
NBA Live 2003
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 11 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 3 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: EA Sports
Developer: EA Canada
Genre(s): Sports
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: October 15, 2002
Summary
Revolutionary Hand Control: Unprecedented control over both hands lets you make lightning-quick steals, monster shot blocks, and crossover dribbles. NBA Speed, NBA Power: Hundreds of new animations, including new signature moves. "D Up": Amazing control and new shot blocking animations bring defense to life. Real NBA Coaches: All the NBA head coaches are courtside in full 3D, reacting to the on-court action. Brand-new Commentary: Over 5,000 new lines keep the commentary fresh throughout the entire LIVE season. [EA Sports]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: NBA Live 06 NBA Live 2005
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central IGN
Also On The Web: 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
Debuting in this '03 renewal is the EA Sports "freestyle" control. Wihout question, it WILL change the way you play basketball games...forever. [Nov 2002, p.88]
GameZone
The freestyle controls are excellent and the graphics are easily the best of any basketball game available for the GameCube.
Read Full Review >Armchair Empire
The atmosphere is great, the control awesome, the challenge solid, and the eye-candy sweet.
Read Full Review >Game Over Online
With improved graphics, better animations, and a control system that, like their commercials say, allows players to fully express themselves anyway they want, Live 2003 is unbelievably solid.
Read Full Review >IGN
It's very intuitive and fast in the action department, which makes it a perfect choice for the casual b-ball enthusiast. If you don't mind a looser representation of the NBA world, this is the game for you.
Read Full Review >Nintendo Power
Delivers the whole professional basketball package. [Dec 2002, p.214]
GameSpot
Isn't much of a simulation, but it's still an incredibly fun game that should appeal to a wider spectrum of basketball fans.
Read Full Review >GamePro
Sim fans will be disappointed with the under-powered defense, but for twitch players, NBA Live 2003 is a dream come true.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
It's a huge step forward for the franchise and other developers will likely copy the freestyle dribbling system for years to come, but until the defensive and offensive play is better balanced, it's hard to recommend.
Read Full Review >Yahoo! Games
The fast pace, smarter computer-controlled players, and freestyle control system make it enjoyable at times, although it also makes you think that such things might have been better suited for the next version of "NBA Street" than a game with pretensions to simhood.
Read Full Review >Maxim Online
It’s hard to diss a game that looks so realistic (Iverson’s still rocking ’rows), but there’s just something wrong when the only way to stop anyone from driving to the bucket is by taking away their keys to the stadium.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Joe Blow gave it a 7:
Gameplay and graphics are mediocore when compared to EA's football games. The potential for this game is nowhere near tapped.
Jerome F. gave it a 10:
I love this game.
