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NBA Live 2005
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 28 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 13 votes
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Game Info
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Canada
Genre(s): Sports
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 basketball—and, 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 scenarios—from bouncing the ball off the backboard, to jumping from the free throw line, to going between your legs in mid flight—Freestyle 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 2002 NBA Live 2003 NBA Live 2004
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: Games Domain Preview GameSpot Preview GameSpy Preview IGN Preview 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]
Official Xbox Magazine
The on-court action is a monstrous, 52-inch vertical leap forward in authenticity and immersion. [Dec 2004, p.88]
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 >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]
Xbox Nation Magazine
The game's biggest asset is its viscerally thrilling slam dunk contest...The arcadelike nature of dunking makes it an addictive element in an already solid title. [Nov 2004, p.98]
PGNx Media
A great basketball game with excellent gameplay, and the addition of the all-star weekend is a nice treat.
Read Full Review >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 >TeamXbox
The game isn’t that much different five-on-five style, but the inclusion of online play and cool new game modes puts it over the top. The Dunk Contest in itself is worth the price of admission.
Read Full Review >Console Gameworld
All the elements are here and there are only a few quirks that keep it from greatness.
Read Full Review >Next Level Gaming
The gameplay is improved a good deal from last year, giving you more of a realistic feel while maintaining a fast-paced arcadey kind of feel. The fight has been taken right to the competition, and EA might just be catching up in the Basketball department.
Read Full Review >GameZone
I’d rather buy "NBA 2K5" twice for the $40 NBA Live costs. NBA team comparison: 2003-2004 Los Angeles Lakers – Lots of flash and attention, but in the end it falls short of the title.
Read Full Review >3DAvenue
Buying the game just for the All Star Weekend probably will lead to disappointment but as a package overall it is a great basketball game.
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]
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 >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]
Xbox World Australia
Patience and slider adjustment is the key though and depending on your stress threshold, you may actually end up loving it. Be warned, this is not one for those seeking instant gratification.
Read Full Review >Game Over Online
Outside of the problematic issues that hinder the Slam Dunk contest, dynasty mode and hiccups with gameplay, NBA Live 2005 still manages to deliver a decent basketball experience for fans of all kinds.
Read Full Review >G4 TV
Though it could stand to offer a few more play options, one thing is clear: NBA Live 2005’s got game.
Read Full Review >Operation Sports
In my opinion, Live 2005 is once again the more complete game and while both games are fun, "Live" gives you a great NBA basketball experience without the bugs [of "2K5"].
Read Full Review >GameSpot
But it's tough for us to say that the dunk mode really adds a lot of value to the franchise, and it's also likely to prove too difficult for most casual players to fully grasp anyway.
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 >Worth Playing
The controls, while being intuitive, definitely required a little bit of time to adjust to.
Read Full Review >Gaming Nexus
Live’s game is purely offensive with little regard for defense or fundamentals anything else. And like Carmello, its severely overpriced and offers very little in return.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
Freestyle control is the same as it ever was, which is a good thing as it still trumps "ESPN" as the better, more responsive control system.
Read Full Review >TotalGames.net
It can't quite match the sheer excitement of NHL and the lack of an online mode is unforgivable, but this is still great fun and is well worth checking out.
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 7.6 (out of 10) based on 13 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
T-Mart gave it a9:
It is cool, but the shot blocking and steal stuff is ridiculous. it is too easy to block shots or get steals. The All-Star-weekend is awesome.
Simon gave it a10:
This game rules! i played it once at my mates then immediately went out and bought it myself. i never used to like basketball but now i'm addicted. buy it now!
The Butcher Andjelic gave it a9:
Nba 2005 is the greatest simulation of basketball ever to be made on PC, but they say that there are over 10000 dunks on slam dunk contest but i can do less than 40 and how the heck do you make the alley-opp. Still its a great game.
Justin gave it a10:
This game rocks the hizzous.
[Anonymous] gave it a 9:
+dynasty mode +all star weekend +commentary +realistic arenas +realistic gameplay (but still to many shotblocks) - no create a team option in the game - some inaccurate rating (esp. concerning the FG-rating and some physical ratings) - hardly fastbreaks because of players stopping immediately when they get the ball and because of the hard cpu defense.
Blue Falcon gave it a 6:
The slam dunk contest is a nice idea, but why is it so difficult? All of a sudden I couldn't do even the most basic dunk. I can understand why they'd have to make it more complicated, but the controls are just so unintuitive. It's definately not something you can pull out when your friends are over. Other than that, the actual gameplay doesn't impress much. Also, the graphics aren't that great during actual gameplay.
Buried-In-The-Box gave it a 7:
Same as all the other EA games this year. Nothing but an update. It'll take more than a gimmicky slam dunk contest to cover up the boring old gameplay and PS2 graphics. Once again, Sega is on top with new ideas, not 15 year old ones like EA.
