Customer Reviews

NBA Live 2003 (Xbox)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Once again, EASPORTS had promised me a completely new game and once again, I am left wondering why I even believed the hype. NBA Live 2003 is at it's core, nothing more than the same game as its predecessors. However, one thing that is new this year is the hyped Freestyle control. Though gimmicky at first, it becomes surprisingly intuitive as you try to pull off the variety of different offensive and defensive moves it allows. For instance, by tapping the right analog stick on the controller, you can pull off a string of killer crossovers or spin moves to shake the defender. On defense, you can reach for the steal while in an intense defensive crouch and raise your hands to defend against a shot without the threat of a ticky-tack foul. Without this new feature, NBA Live has nothing really new to offer.

The graphics are clean and smooth, but are overall generic. Stadiums and crowds look the same and the players cartoonish with exaggerated body sizes and large heads and hands. Some players are hard to distinguish from each other unless you recognize their tattoos, hairstyle or playing gear. The cut scenes in-between plays are amusing at first, but quickly become tiresome as they are repeatedly played over and over. How many times do I need to see my bench react as if I had been shot and beheaded after a foul? Luckily, you can turn this feature off. Nevertheless, I did appreciate the humor and the playfulness in certain cut scenes that really captured the essence and feel of an NBA game

Regardless of the graphics, the player animations are smooth and quick. I don't think I have yet to see the same dunk twice. Seeing Iverson perform a crossover dribble is pure beauty. Watching Garnett back down an opponent felt like a battle of epic proportions. There are also a variety of shots to and from under the basket. Players will either perform a nifty lay-up or change their shots in mid-air depending on the location of a defender. Gone are the days of the two foot jump shot that clanged off the rim.

Game play is my biggest gripe. Though the CPU AI is greatly improved this year, there is such a thing as being too improved. The opposition hardly misses a shot. Three-point bombs are almost a given and there are way too many dunks as opposed to outside shots. In fact, it is common to see field goal percentages in the 70's and 80's during the course of a game. Though I love how the CPU now runs the fast break consistently as opposed to the previous games in the series, the result is almost always a score for the opposition. Transition defense is practically non-existent since the CPU seems to always make the correct passes that lead to open shots or dunks. A little humanity in the CPU could have made things more realistic and less frustrating. Steals and blocked shots are also too plentiful (Sigh.)

The franchise mode is incredibly bare bones. There is of course, the standard player retirements, re-signing, free-agent signings, team lottery and draft. Player scouting and evaluations would have added some dimensions to the draft as in Madden 2003, but they are sorely absent. (Double Sigh.) Game options are also pretty bare. There is the usual one on one game we have seen in previous games and a tutorial explained by panty-fetishist Marv Albert using grainy video game footage, but that's about it.

EASPORTS really needed to up the ante this year to compare with the mighty Sega NBA 2k series. I was pretty optimistic, but again EASPORTS resorted back to bad habits by releasing the same game with an added feature here and there. Though the Freestyle control is, dare I say, revolutionary, the problems greatly outweigh the benefits offered by the feature. Again, they have released a game that is too arcadey and not enough simulation. Though I have no problem with arcade-type game play, at least give me the option of enjoying a game with realistic shooting percentages, balanced game play, and the challenge of having to work for a score. Now excuse me while I go play NBA 2k3...

NBA Live is usually one of the best basketball game play and simulations available. NOT THIS ONE. In franchise mode, the main part of the game I like, there are already too many problems. The computer will offer you bogus trades like i was offered Kobe Bryant whos ranked either 95 or 96 for Ray Allen whos ranked either high eighties or low nineties. EVERY year, the same players win the same awards. The players that win it are ones you would have never heard of too like EVERY year, Jamie Feick of the Nets wins sixth man. Are there not good sixth men like Rodney Rogers or Corliss Williamson who would win it? EVERY year, or at least almost, Tim Duncan wins MVP. This is highly unlikely to happen in real life. EVERY year, Ben Wallace wins defensive player of the year. In gameplay, its so-so. There are way too many fast break points though and the blocked shots are ridiculous. A point guard could get up to probably 6 pr 7 in a game. The scoring is ridiculous also. You can get up to the 130's to 140's in 7 minute quarters. One of the only cool features about this game I thought, the retro throwbacks. I have to give EA some credit, thats one thing no other game has yet. But, unless you want a big disapointment, I'd try some other games first.

I usually don't play sports games,but since I do watch basketball,I figure I'll rent a couple of games.I've had many people recommend NBA 2K3 and I tried hard to like it,but I just could'nt.I decided to also rent NBA LIVE 2003 and I found myself hooked on it.So far,no other b-ball game comes close.You can't beat a game that lets you break,spin and fake your opponent,and then take it to the hoop with great ease.I don't know what the fasination is with NBA 2K2 or 2K3.Everyone has their own taste and LIVE is my kind of game.Players are big as life and very detailed,with lots of color.My favourites are Kobe Bryant,Shaq and Michael Jordan.It's a fast paced adrenalin rush.

To sum up the NBA Live 2003 experience, it was GREAT!

I had only rented it, but during my play NBA LIve 2003 was one of the greatest games I've played. You don't get tired of this one. Even though I kind of didn't know how to play at first, once you get the hang of it, you've got it.

Here are somethings I like about the game:

Killer Graphics, Players
Alot of Teams to choose from
Pick your shirts, customize your team to the max

What i Did not like:

Directions don't really explain alot.
Hard at first, but once you get the hang of it, you got it going on
They come out with one every year. Uh-OH! More money down the drain.

The NBA Live 2003 experience was fun, hard at times, and challenging. I would reccomend this game to any basketball, or "I'm waiting for a challenge" kind of person. It is currently avaliable.

I spent a long time thinking about which basketball game i should by for the XBOX. I thought about what i wanted in a basketball game. Graphics, Realism, Dunks and origanlity. NBA Live 2003 is very realistic, especially with that new right joystick thing! You can do anything! NBA Live 2003 really shines with the dunks and moves. ORIGINALITY IS WHERE NBA Live 2003 DUNKS OVER THE other games (no pun intended). SOmething new in a basketball game is something that you dont see alot, they all have shooting and all, but NBA Live 2003 lets u have complete control over the game!

BUY THIS GAME! Listen to someone that has played every basketball game on the xbox console. NBA 2k3 , starting five, and inside drive fall way short of NBA Live 2003!

NBA Live 03 is [great.] this game is more realistic than ever before.Retro jerseys - post-up moves - killer crossovers and banging music this game has it all.Now you have to play with your bench players to have success in the games.In the other Live Series you could play with one player on the team to score all the points,and still win the game. No other game can compare NBA Live 03 this is a must have for basketball fans.NBA 2k3 [is not as good], I would not recommend this game to anybody.

Live is a better version than last year's and it is somewhat NBA Jam-esque. They also had hilarious cut scenes. For example, before the opening tip, the center (in this case, Ho Grant) taps the ref on the shoulder, then steals the ball from the ref!! What...is this!!

Another cut scene is when the second quarter ends and the players walk to the locker room, one random player will stop near the stands and talk to a fan, then the coach sees it and yells at the player!!! Yet another stupid one is when the coach stands, a random player changes seats and sits on the coach's seat, then when the coach attempts to sit (without looking of course) he accidentally hits the player, and the coach gets mad!

There are no starting lineup intros, no coach intros, and no shoe editing. You can edit numbers and attributes though, which is a big plus. THUD wears 16, and in this game he still has 11, so I can just edit that.

This game has what you would call Freestyle control, which is basically the right analog stick. Using that stick results in ridiculous crossovers, dekes, spins, and other maneuvers. This game is so fast, and the computer runs the break everytime and throws alleyoops and throws down sick jams everytime. It is very arcadey.

Shots are easier to make in NBA Live, it's probably because of the arcadey style. I play simulation and it is still like an arcade.

Get this now, you won't be disappointed!!

ZERO STARS! I bought NBA Live 2003 just days ago. I went home and like a little kid, I ripped it open and popped it in my XBOX. I played an exhibition game and it was just terrible from start to finish. This game is as unrealistic as it can get. No introductions, just straight to tipoff. The court seems so short it looks more like 49 feet instead of 94. The computer's fast breaks are non stop as soon as you miss your first shot. Believe me that's not the only shot you'll miss. You never catch up on those fast breaks either so don't bother trying.
You press start to substitute players and when you go back to play, your substitutes are already in!!! When the CPU substitutes players you get this animation of the coach calling the player back to talk to him. This happens EVERYTIME and becomes annoying.
Back to the game play. I bought this game so I figured I'd suck it up and start a season. There are so many blocks in this game it's unreal. Being from Chicago, I picked the Bulls as my team. I had to laugh when Fred Hoiberg had a block. As a team I think I had like 15 blocks in the game with ease. Now the shooting, well, these are NBA players, but I'm not sure 65 - 70% shooting is realistic and that's with the Bulls. By the way, the players all look the same, you can't tell who is who. Jalen Rose has hair and it's the same as Jay Williams.
I lost my first game and I shot 65 - 70% from the field! So I start the next game against the Hornets. They opened the game shooting 12 for 12 before I turned it off. They were shooting from everywhere too! Do not buy this game.

I love this game! It was so much fun back in the day, about 3 years ago when I bought it. I would recommend buying this one immediately!

MC White said: Check it out!

Surprisingly my 4 year olds can play this game and do pretty well. This is of coarse a blessing and a curse. What's even more interesting is that they can even pull off some dazzling moves and dunks in the process. While the controls for NBA Street would be impossible to pull anything fancy off for them, this game lets them shoot, pass and dunk with just two buttons. NBA 2003 is one of the most arcadey SIM games to come out in some time. If you like to make most of your jump shots and make a regulation lay up into a dunkaholics dream simply by being near the hoop, this game is for you. The ugly: it's simple offensive minded basketball. Defense clearly is not the name of this game. While it is incredibly fun to block shots in other games, the pacing is so fast with this game that you forget there is ever a need to have defense to make a game feel fun.

Bottom line: Is it fun? The most fun basketball sim. Will I keep it? Yes. Is it for kids? If your kids need a hoops game get this one. If you want a more realistic version of the popular street games with picks and rebounds and such, get this one. If you want complete all out control of your players every move and accurate shot percentage look elsewhere.