NBA Live '96
Reviewed by Dyson Turner
NBA Live '96 truly changed the face of Genesis basketball
simulations. Even though last year's NBA Live '95 was a
smash hit this truly surpassed that in terms of graphics and
overall options. This year comes back with a bigger roster
more players, and faster and better playing and controls.
After being highly impressed with the '95 showing of Live I
immediately picked this one up. My first impression was a
good one and I really enjoyed the updated look and overall
play control. Then this thing was also flooded with options
and new ways to play like a draft for the as of the time new
expansion teams Raptors and Grizzlies. The game just was
overall better. When EA made this gem and last years
everyone was truly impressed by it. When this came out
Genesis was really lagging behind in basketball simulations.
After several very unsuccessful ones like Bill Lambier's
combat basketball and Pat Riley's Basketball no one knew
back then that this game would be the start of one of the
greatest series ever. In my opinion nothing rivals the NBA
Live series, and this has to be one of the longest sports
series still going strong today. Each Live still has the
basics that this one possesses
Graphics 9.5/10
I was totally blown away by the look and size of the
characters in this game. The all had different faces and
last minute touches to make them look fell and seem more
realistic. You even had the white hair of Dennis Rodman,
which he sported at the time this game was created. Shaq
actually looked big; maybe not bigger than any over center
but something about him he had a certain dominants about
him. Every player had the realistic number on there back,
and optional to have it under them as well. Each arena did
look different and there was a realistic team logo in the
middle of the court, and some times the real arena name
under the basket like Nets Meadowlands. There were three
different player sizes short, medium and large. Then you had
two realistic looking moves like the cross over which
resembled Tim Hardaway's UTEP 2-Step. Then you also had a
spin dribble both of these looked pretty realistic for the
time the game was made. The dunks you did, even though most
of them were pretty basic still looked great and just as rim
rocking as there real life counterparts. The entire graphics
department did well, and it really did last years version justice.
Sound 8.0/10
The music that played in the beginning was pretty good. That
music was loud and enthusiastic and when I think about it,
most of the music in the whole series sounded like this one
did. There were really only 2 or 3 songs in the game and
that was the extent of things. After that you had the sound
effects which were pretty good. The basketball reaction time
was great and it went perfectly with every ball bounce that
showed on the screen. The dunk sound effects were great as
well, and made the crowd go crazy. The crowd was home court
orientated which was a welcome change of pace, if you were
the away team and fouled some one on the home team you would
hear about it in an eruption of boos and jeers. Unlike last
year and other previous basketball simulations where the
audience cheered for anyone, this brings a sense of realism
to the game, and makes it more enjoyable. The sound
department did an outstanding job in this game and reacted
well with the graphics.
Game Play 10/10
This game is for 1 to 4 players. It still has all of last
year's features, team trading, league leaders and full stat
tracking. This one does add some new things to the game,
like the ability to create your own player. Creating your
own player was big thing when this first came out and is
regarding as a regular feature now. You designed everything
his name his face height weight college and stats. Unlike
the SNES version where you could create the Super Player you
couldn't do it here you had to even the stats out. The
highest you could get a player was the early 90's. Other
than that you had the player trades if you chose not to
create your own player; you could get any name you want for
any low card player. This was kind of unfair in my opinion.
You could get the NBA finest on one team and leave the rest
with noting, or store all the other great in free agency so
they can't come back. You could have all the official NBA
rules or no rules at all, and have a game where you just
totally dominate the. I think the simulation games
are the most fun and they provide the most challenge. You
also have custom teams where you could take any NBA player
as many times as you want and a put them on the team. Or
have each team devoted to one stat the choice is yours.
These custom teams were great when you wanted a good team to
play as and you didn't want to disturb the NBA rosters. The
difficulty is adjustable, and there is battery back up to
save your player's your season games and teams.
Overall 10/10
This is a truly great game, and one of the best Genesis
basketball simulations there is. You will truly have a good
time playing this game I assure you. This is one of the few
rare Genesis games, which is well rounded, and this showed
us a new more realistic type of basketball, and changed the
face of video game basketball, as we know it. The fun factor
was exceptionally high, and you well have fun for days just
playing with team trades and drafts and things. This game is
also good for the statistical fanatics' because it has full
stat tracking, and team leaders and player leaders. The
replay value is high as well, with three other friends playing
the games could get very close, and fun to watch and
navigate. I really don't have no problems with this game and
its one of the best on the market in terms of everything. If
you are looking for a good Genesis basketball simulation,
then this is definitely the way to go.
OR
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