User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 34
  2. Negative: 9 out of 34
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  1. CarlosM.
    Oct 2, 2005
    4
    EA sports must have paid off IGN to recieve that good of a rating. Their writer is either high on EA or doesn't have a clue about basketball. If youre looking for a street style arcade you might as well play EA's NBA Street(by the way the first one is the best). But if youre looking for a realistic basketball game then shoot for NBA 2k6. I was in disbelief when i read IGN's EA sports must have paid off IGN to recieve that good of a rating. Their writer is either high on EA or doesn't have a clue about basketball. If youre looking for a street style arcade you might as well play EA's NBA Street(by the way the first one is the best). But if youre looking for a realistic basketball game then shoot for NBA 2k6. I was in disbelief when i read IGN's reviews of the games...while EA uses a gimmick Freestyle Superstars, that may be fun to watch but impossible to stop, 2k6 uses player and team tendencies. You can watch the Suns, amare and nash, use the pick and roll to destroy you, Marbury isolate constantly, the spurs and pistons playing stifling D and crashing the boards.The AI is much better in the game on offense and defense. Although it may take longer to get useto 2k's controls, its far more rewarding. Expand
  2. JayB.
    Nov 4, 2005
    3
    Live 05' was a better game, period. It was more fluid. The new so called freestyle play sucks, especially since you cant just back anybody down they way you used to, they should have left the controls alone.
  3. LBC'YAclayton
    Oct 17, 2005
    3
    This game just sucks, im a long time basketball enthusiast and this game takes away rather than add to the 06 series, i think 05 was much better, you cant back any of your big men down in the post. he already has to be set in the paint .. that is not full control.. keep the slam dunks realistic not fake. you may get 5 dunks in one game not 20.. this game really sucks. if you like an arcadeThis game just sucks, im a long time basketball enthusiast and this game takes away rather than add to the 06 series, i think 05 was much better, you cant back any of your big men down in the post. he already has to be set in the paint .. that is not full control.. keep the slam dunks realistic not fake. you may get 5 dunks in one game not 20.. this game really sucks. if you like an arcade feel than this is the game for you... I would suggeste getting nba 2k6 and its 10 dollars cheaper... Expand
  4. MikeB.
    Oct 6, 2005
    4
    First off i cant find the right Press Box view like in '05. its fake how i can use D.Wade and jump over people in the key unwillingly. i cant block a shot for nothin cause my guy down low is always being pushed behind the back-board. When using Shaq he never holds his own on Defense cause the guy runs into him and Shaq keeps his hand up and the player gets a three-point play. Shq First off i cant find the right Press Box view like in '05. its fake how i can use D.Wade and jump over people in the key unwillingly. i cant block a shot for nothin cause my guy down low is always being pushed behind the back-board. When using Shaq he never holds his own on Defense cause the guy runs into him and Shaq keeps his hand up and the player gets a three-point play. Shq gets 5 fouls in the first half easy. Whack!!!!!! Defense down in the paint i give it a 2 out of 10. Expand
  5. SMokeD.D.
    Dec 28, 2005
    0
    EA has finally done it! They've have completed making the wrost BBALL Game ever. This game has no Defence, so unrealistic, you can easily score 130+ points and grab only 10 rebounds the entire game, even against the superstar mode com. Do those game makers even understand the Bastketball? Appearantly they only want to make the images pretty, with fancy unreal moves. I am so mad cuz I EA has finally done it! They've have completed making the wrost BBALL Game ever. This game has no Defence, so unrealistic, you can easily score 130+ points and grab only 10 rebounds the entire game, even against the superstar mode com. Do those game makers even understand the Bastketball? Appearantly they only want to make the images pretty, with fancy unreal moves. I am so mad cuz I bought the game and it will stay in a cardboard box in the garage for the rest of my life. Expand
  6. SteveP
    Sep 29, 2005
    3
    The last good NBA Live game was on the PS1. EA never got it right on the PS2. After being continually disappointed by Live on PS2, EA will hopefully start fresh on the PS3 and get things right for the first time in 6 years. It would really be nice to play a fun and realistic basketball game. It's been awhile.
  7. AhmadA.
    Dec 23, 2005
    4
    its graphics and gameplay are very slower it should have improved from live 05 I rather enjoy playing Live 05.

Awards & Rankings

59
81
#81 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2005
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. PSM Magazine
    85
    Aside from "Fight Night," there isn't a better two-player sports game than "NBA Live 06."[Nov 2005, p.78]
  2. 80
    It pumps up the star power with plenty of show, but Superstar Freestyle doesn't ignore the go. Whether your real-life NBA team is headed for playoff stardom or a ticket to the lottery, NBA Live should make the 2006 just a little more enjoyable.
  3. 90
    This is my favorite two-player sports game of the year so far. The Superstar moves really change the way you play the game, and for the better, as for the first time in years you can really tell the difference between players like Shaq and Eric Dampier.