NBA Live 2002

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
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  1. GameShark
    74
    One, why are the replays so dark? And two, why do they just give an overall ranking for the teams, why not also have it broken down by offence and defense?
  2. Yahoo!
    60
    Appealing just to player management aficionados and ignoring the excitement at the heart of the game will eventually cost them dear.
  3. Game Revolution
    50
    I think it's safe to say that someone at EA Sports has too tight a grip on the mantra, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Year after year, the Live series crops up with minor retrofits while other EA lines, like the admirable Madden games, enjoy sparkling new touches and interesting new modes.
  5. PSX Nation
    50
    NBA Live 2002 takes a step backwards in our minds with less of a focus on strict, simulation style play and too much emphasis on flashy, easy broad based play.
  6. GamePen
    50
    One part of the game that had me screaming at my players like Bobby Knight, and wanting to choke them out a la Latrell Sprewell, was that they would box out effectively maybe one out of forty times, and have no opposing player near the ball as it drops from hitting the rim.
  7. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    50
    Tries so hard to be good, but fails at just about every turn. [Dec 2001, p.169]
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Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Best PS2 Game of 2001

User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 2 out of 8
  1. DanaL.
    Jun 11, 2002
    3
    I have been playing ea basketball games since NBA 98 and besides graphics improvements the games have been getting worse. The rebounding, I have been playing ea basketball games since NBA 98 and besides graphics improvements the games have been getting worse. The rebounding, shooting, player speed and post moves are so unrealistic that it hurts me to play. If these thigs were fixed then they would have a great game!… Full Review »
  2. AnthonyM.
    Jan 6, 2002
    10
    NBA Live 2002 is unbelievable! The rosters most of all. The 40 new dunks and new lay-ups are so real. I'm tellin' ya if you like NBA Live 2002 is unbelievable! The rosters most of all. The 40 new dunks and new lay-ups are so real. I'm tellin' ya if you like basketball and have good taste and you haven't bought NBA Live 2002 yet you better buy it before it's sold out. Plus it will probably be worth a lot of money 'cause there was never a palindrome (a number that looks the same if you look at it backwords) basketball game. And 'cause there's Michael Jordan. Not one NBA Live game has ever had Michael Jordan on the regular roster 'till now.… Full Review »
  3. ErosD.
    Nov 25, 2001
    4
    This game looks great and plays terrible. This once great franchise is sinking. Fast.
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