Publisher: EA Sports

Developer: EA Canada

Release Date: Fall 2005

The Basics: EA isn’t ready to tell us its game plan for NBA Live 2006, but if you go by the last few iterations, expect some more refinements to its freestyle control system and, hopefully, last year’s slam dunk contest.

The 36O Factor: Look for basketball to get rougher on Microsoft’s upcoming console. “Imagine [Miami Heat guard] Dwayne Wade driving the lane against the Suns—the lightning-quick first step, the sick crossover dribble, and the big collision with [the Suns’] Amaré Stoudemire in the paint as he lays it in,” says Producer Tim Tschirner. “[On Xbox 360], you’ll be able to see dynamic physical collisions like you’ve never experienced before.”

Is It Next-Gen Enough?: We’re all for a li’l more banging along the boards, but as with Madden, we’re not entirely convinced that NBA Live’s players can look as realistic as this “visual target” screen—especially when there are 10 guys on the court at once. So don’t believe it until we see it.

Copyright © 2005 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Electronic Gaming Monthly.