NBA Live 06 beats NBA 2006

EA Sports sent NBA Live 06 to combat Sony's own NBA 2006. When I bought my PSP, I was confronted with the choice of purchasing Live 06 or NBA 06. After testing both games, I concluded NBA Live 2006 gets the edge in the end.

Live 06 introduces a new feature to the series: 'Freestyle' Superstars. Certain players, such as cover athlete Dwyane Wade, have special or 'unique' abilities that make them better than other athletes. By pressing a combination of buttons, they can unleash moves that other players can't do. There are four types of superstars, Power (these players are usually strong centers such as Shaquille O'Neal and Amare Stoudamire), Highflyers (such as Dwyane Wade and Steve Francis), Playmakers (these are mostly point guards who are great passers such as MVP player Steve Nash and Tony Parker), and Scorers (all around good players such as Kobe Bryant and Jermaine O'Neal who can score many ways).

For those familiar with the previous editions of the game, Live 06 does not feature the 'Freestyle Stick'. For users who have grown used to this feature, it is a major setback. However after getting used to the controls, this problem can be easily overcome. The gameplay of Live 06 is solid, though the AI opponents aren't challenging at all. Even by raising the difficulty level to the highest (Superstar), the game can be won easily.

Since the game was modified for the PSP system, some features players have grown used to in the series were cut out. For example, the Dynasty mode (which allowed players to manage a team for 25 seasons) and the 1 on 1 feature (which allows one player to go against another player) are both cut out. The PSP version includes the popular 'All Star Weekend' (this allows you to join the Dunk Contest, Three-Point Shootout, All Star Game, and the Rookie vs. Sophmore game). In addition, you can also play for a single season or playoff run.

A new featurette added to NBA live 06 is the Superstar Challenge. In this game mode, you are required to score certain stats in order to pass on. For example, if you're Allen Iverson, you have to score 60 points to pass on. You are awarded a gold, silver, or bronze medal depending on how many points you beat the other team by. In order to unlock vintage all star teams (like the 60's All Star Team, 70's All Star Team, etc.) and retro jerseys, you must complete these challenges. However, NBA Live 06 does not feature the 50's All Star Team (which previous versions did). In addition, the EA Sports series has stopped putting Michael Jordan on the 90's All Star Team and therefore he is not featured in the game.

The music in NBA Live 06 is superb, featuring mostly Hip-Hop and Rap tracks. The PSP version allows you to use the 'EA Sports Pocket Trax' feature, which basically lets you just listen to the game music if you choose. This is a nice feature, since the NBA Live series has always had good music.

However, the announcers in NBA Live 06 are sub-par. EA Sports decided to change things up and chose new people. Those familiar with the game will know that Marv Alberts and Mike Fratello offered great commentating for previous games. However, for NBA Live 06, former Chicago Bulls player Steve Kerr joins Alberts. Though Albert is as good as ever, Kerr is not nearly as good as Fratello.

The game also allows multiplayer through Ad Hoc or Infrastructure modes (for those who don't know, Ad Hoc is a head to head multiplayer, where as infrastructure is multiplayer via internet. You must near a person to use the Ad Hoc mode. For more information look at you PSP guide or visit the website). Both multiplayer modes are solid. Though on a normal console (such as Xbox, PS2, etc.) you can play with up to three additional people, on the PSP, you can only play against one other person. Also, since the PSP console can connect to the internet, you can also update the rosters easily.

All in all NBA Live 06 is a great game with a few minor setbacks. it gets the edge over NBA 06 due to the fact that you can play against people via Infrastructure mode (NBA 06 does not allow you do play this way). If you are considering purchasing an NBA basketball game, this is the one you should buy.