NBA Live 2005

 PC
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. GameSpy
    70
    Improved graphics, a deeper dynasty mode, and an All-Star weekend simulator that's genuinely fun to play.
  2. Computer Gaming World
    70
    The humbling slam-dunk competition attempts to cement EA's street credibility but fails. It's just too unforgiving to be considered anything other than a flashy extra. [March 2005, p.77]
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  3. PC Format
    58
    Come on EA, give us something new to write about with your next release. [Jan 2005, p.90]

Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Best PC Game of 2004
69
#69 Most Discussed PC Game of 2004

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 32
  3. Negative: 2 out of 32
  1. Hullajelolt
    Jan 5, 2021
    3
    Probably my first and last review on this site.
    When Kobe died early last year I got a little nostalgic and thought it would be a good idea    Probably my first and last review on this site.
    When Kobe died early last year I got a little nostalgic and thought it would be a good idea to play with one of the old NBA Live games. I found the 2005 version and played 10 seasons in dynasty mode (about 10 games a year). Simply put, my general opinion is that whoever was responsible for the gameplay of this game should burn in hell, as this is the most cheating sports game I have ever played with, and I played quite a lot of EA Sports games.
    My favourite scene was when I was blocked on a fast break by Shaq who was at midfield, while I was already on the 3 point line, two steps ahead with my point guard who was waaaaaaay faster and rested. Speaking of fast breaks, virtually impossible to do, as your players stop 90% of the time they receive an outlet, or have to jump to catch the pass, raking at least two seconds to settle, killing your advantage. In case of rebounding, a lot of times when you should have a clear rebound, the ball suddenly bounces twice on the rim, so the CPU player can get the board. On some occasions, the CPU player will get the rebound, while being on the other side of the board, as the ball magically gets glued to his hand. If you somehow get the rebound, your players have a tendency to jump out of bounds with the ball. Totally disgusting. If you want to play pick and roll, it is simply impossible to pass the ball to the rolling player, instead you throw the ball to somebody who is completely out of the play, usually resulting in a turnover. Anyways, lots of times, the pass goes totally the opposite way it was intended. Physics, as I mentioned are very bad, and not only the running gives a totally unfair advantage to the CPU, you also cannot get physical like the opponent can, often you just bounce off the attacker while on the other side your shot gets blocked very frequently. You also easily get pushed off the court, while you can do nothing to stop a running opponent. Your team make so weak passes that the defending team can make and drink a coffee and still steal the ball while it's in the air. Very very bad physics, and I know I speak about a 16 year old game,
    The games doesn't get more difficult on harder difficulties only because the CPU does things with less mistakes, it gets more difficult because it cheats more and more as the level gets harder, to a point where it is just simply impossible to enjoy the games.

    The dynasty mode is also absolutely unrealistic. Except for the offseason, where there were some trades here or there, there were ZERO trades in 10 years of my dynasty. The rookie draft pool is a joke as well, If the pool is very strong, you can find starters deep in the second round, even undrafted, if it is very weak, even the first picks are completely useless. Speaking of rookies, I'm not going to complain about the names as they were at least trying to get more international (still I had 8 players in the league with the last name Yang, 5 of them not even from Asia),, but the generated players ratings are just awful. In my final season, there were 10 starting shooting guards in the league, who had a 75+ 3-point rating, while shooting under 55% from the line. This happens maybe once in a decade. Power forwards had an inside scoring over 80, and strength under 30! 30 point differences between quickness and speed were as common as somebody having two legs and two feet. I had small forwards listed at 7'1" and power forwards at 6'5". Completely trash defenders with ratings under 20.
    Simulation stats were always the weak points of these series, still shooters with a 3-pont rating under 30 attempt like 150 threes a year, making like 21%, while Kyle Korver as a starter, with a 90+ rating, attempted 12 threes the whole season. Steal and block numbers are high for everybody. In a season, where my rookie had an 18/5/5 in 35 minutes line, the ROY award went to a guy who had 4/6/1 in 19 minutes, probably because my guy missed 6 games out of 82, while the other played the whole season. You can win the MIP award while decreasing all your averages, it is a total lottery.

    I know some if these things are not really important for an average user, but why not write all the bad things if I have the space? :)

    The only thing that saves this game from being a total failure is that this was the year the All-Star weekend made it's debut in the series and in generated some real buzz when I was a kid back then.

    So, if you also decide it is time for some nostalgia, just avoid this iteration of the game. Play NBA Live 2000, 2004 or even 2008, also not perfect games, but at least those were not made by the devil itself.    … Full Review »
  2. computerman40
    Mar 13, 2016
    10
    I think everybody should get this game because this is the best basketball game on the planet! And you can do slam dunk contests, 3-pointI think everybody should get this game because this is the best basketball game on the planet! And you can do slam dunk contests, 3-point contests and many more!… Full Review »
  3. BjS.
    Jun 28, 2006
    10
    The EA Sports Freestyle Control continues to revolutionize your ability to play simulation basketball?and, now more than ever, it's 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.… Full Review »
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