NBA Live 08

Still, NBA Live 08 can finally give 2K a run for its money and is a serious contender for your basketball dollars. [Dec 2007, p.81]

The best place to shoot hoops both online and off. [Oct 2007, p.85]

This year's game slam-dunks its predecessors, thanks to improved speed, more realistic player animations and most importantly, exquisite five-on-five play.

Post play is not only a viable option this year, it's my preferred way to score, and I really can't remember the last time that was true in a basketball game.

NBA Live 08 is in serious contention for Best Basketball Game this year. That just shows you how much improved 08 is after the disaster of 07. Who says EA doesn't listen?

NBA Live 08 delivers arguably the most convincing looking and playing game of hoops. It may not be super rich in its mechanics, but that doesn't change the fact that the game just plays well and is the most fluid basketball game to control.

This is NBA Live as it definitely should be - deep, engrossing, polished fun. [Dec 2007, p.114]

What it lacks in features, it makes up for in gameplay and presentation.

If EA sports manage to fix a couple of issues in this game, NBA live 09 will surely be the game to beat next year. Until then though, play some more 2k8.

A great creation system, deep dynasty dynamics, amazing animations and terrific play-by-play are the hallmarks of this title. EA Sports, though, needs to get a better framerate to go along with the high-definition graphics it is pumping into the license.

NBA Live 08 is a good game. It's not a great game yet. It has plenty of problems, and I must say it's still not quite on par with the impressive basketball simulation that is NBA 2K8. But the gap has closed this year. It plays, looks, and feels better than last year, and if it keeps improving, we'll have the great NBA Live series of old.

NBA Live 08 has come a long way from the catastrophe of 2007.

If you're passionate about basketball, this is as comprehensive a sim as you could hope for. [Nov 2007, p.84]

NBA Live 08 is a vastly improved game that is nearly ready for primetime. With another year under its belt, NBA Live may be contending for the championship.

Thanks to significantly improved gameplay, NBA Live 08 is a good, solid basketball game.

This shot definitely goes in, but not before taking a few lucky bounces on the rim.

NBA Live 08 is a big improvement over prior next-gen versions of the game, but it still has a bit to go before it will truly feel next-gen.

Investment has been made on the aspects that really matter: control and gameplay. The resulting game is one that will stay with you for some time after you have finished playing.

It's the best-looking entry in the series by far, and the gameplay is finally coming close to what gamers are looking for from their at-home NBA experience. But as good as NBA Live is this year, it's still not taking home the championship.

It is not quite ready for the big time, but at least it is not the Sam Bowie of video games like "Live 07."

While not perfect, it's immensely playable and plenty of fun.

The bulk of the basketball still doesn’t feel natural with canned animations taking the control out of the user’s hands a bit too often. The game does have its shining moments though, and we’ll definitely be expecting next year’s game to return the series to prominence.

So even though Live is lookin' better, it could still use more time in the gym. [Nov 2007, p.103]

While Live 08 is definitely looking better in every respect (gameplay, graphics, and online), the series still needs more time in the gym.

The real disappointment about this version is the lack of different modes and mini-games.

The gameplay here is a sluggish journey in the wrong direction for the NBA Live series. [Issue#158, p.95]