Once again this is yet another year and another season of basketball playing goodness for the PS2.  Whether you’re a fan of 2K Sports nearly perfect NBA 2K games and EA Sports’ always evolving NBA Live series, we can come to expect these two rivals to try to one-up each another with their own style.  Fortunately for us this means improvements and new additions and, for NBA Live 06, they certainly make the difference.  This is NBA Live’s best year yet.

One of the reasons this year’s game wins big points is the fact that the game concentrates its attention on the NBA’s superstars.  You know who they are, right?  Players like LeBron and Kobe that have enough skills that sets them apart from other players in the NBA.  The focus is centered on each player’s ability, whether the superstar is a Playmaker, Shooter, Power Player, Highflyer, Scorer or Sharpshooter.  In case you don’t know who your superstars are the game highlights each player enough that they do stand out among their teammates and unleashing their individual ability is what makes the game even more enjoyable.  Not only are we treated to some spectacular shots of the superstars at their best but being the one that has control over them makes this all the more special.

Every other aspect of the game really hasn’t changed much.  The entertaining NBA All-Star Weekend is back, along with its Slam Dunk contest, 3 Point Shootout, Rookie Challenge and All-Star game.  There’s the same Season mode along with the ability to play the Playoffs as well as going for a little one-on-one with your favorite player.  The tools needed to improve your game are available as well, such as the Slam Dunk School and the Individual Practice mode.  Freestyle Challenge is also a welcome feature, mainly because you can play it with a friend.  Even the game’s online component is great.

By far the best improvement is the Dynasty Mode that is not only delightfully deep but also wonderfully entertaining.  Once again you are in charge of your team’s everyday business as the General Manager but this time your start from scratch, hiring your necessary staff members and scheduling your team’s practice, training and games.  Because it’s all about the superstars, you can concentrate on a single player and make him a superstar worthy of your already established superstar.  It’s not only a deep franchise mode but also its fun dealing with all the problems and situations that arise in a NBA season.

The game’s controls are handled well enough on the PS2 with the exception of a few flaws here and there.  The biggest flaw comes in the form of the opposing team’s AI, which - for the most part - goes from realistic to occasionally ridiculous.  You will often catch players like Allen Iverson stealing the ball faster than you can blink your eyes and Shaq doesn’t miss a free throw late in the game.  Yet the rest of the game runs smoothly enough with the free throws better than ever (this, in my opinion, beats the free throw in NBA 2K6).  Once you get the hang of it, there’s some great slam dunk moves like windmills and tomahawks.  It’s good, all right, but it doesn’t have the same finesse as NBA 2K6 when it comes to the arcade-like gameplay and serious simulator style.

Here’s another bit of good news, the PS2 gets an exclusive the other versions of the game don’t get and that’s a playable version of NBA Live ‘95.  It’s a nice treat, really, and one that allows players to go back to the basics the franchise has improved upon over the years.  Found in the EA Sports Retro section in the main menu, players can play an exhibition game using an arcade, simulation or custom style.  It’s a great bonus basketball fans will really appreciate.

The game’s graphics are great looking on the PS2 and the player models have really improved especially when it comes to a player’s face.  The player models are great but where the game really drops the ball (no pun intended) is their movements.  Players don’t seem to move naturally and they don’t seem to run across the court.  Rather they seem as though the kind of glide.  This does take away from the realism and that’s too bad since the arenas look amazing as does the fans.

Sound-wise, the EA Trax is filled with hip-hop tunes from Q-Tip, Spider Loc and even the Black Eyed Peas to name just a few.  It’s your standard fare and not particularly good but there’s an option to leave out the sounds that doesn’t work for you.  As far as the game’s play-by-play and color commentary, you can’t go wrong with Steve Kerr and Marv Albert.  They call the game excellently and, as an added treat, NBA Live 06 also marks the return of Kenny Smith back on the mic when it comes to covering the slam dunk contest.

NBA Live 06 for the PS2 doesn’t deviate from its original recipe but it’s new features are impressive enough to make this game the year you shouldn’t miss this one.  It might not be this year’s overall winner in terms best basketball game of the year, this year the honor goes to NBA 2K6, but it is one of the most enjoyable game’s you should own if you’re a PS2 owner (there’s an exclusive PS2 extra) or a hardcore basketball fan. 

Gameplay: 8.8
The game plays just as good as last year’s game.  Whether you’re passing or shooting at the three-point line, the game handles it decently.  The game modes are a real treat, particularly NBA All-Star Weekend and the wonderfully addictive Dynasty Mode.

Graphics: 8.5
The player models have gotten a lot more detailed than before and the facial features have gotten as close to the real thing and that’s quite a feat.  The arenas are also rendered beautifully as are the fans.  What isn’t such a gorgeous sight is the way the players move across the court.  They don’t move naturally at all.

Sound: 8.5
The play-by-play and color commentary is actually done wonderfully and Marv Albert certainly adds a lot to each game.  Particularly good is the commentary during the Slam Dunk contests, which is not only funny but also fresh throughout.  The game’s soundtrack is not my cup of tea but at least you have the option to remove your less favorite ones.

Difficulty: Medium
The computer-controlled opponents, especially the superstars, play a great game true to the real-life players.  Occasionally there are a few glitches that have players like Kobe Bryant performing the same alley-oops every time throughout the game.

Concept: 9.2
The Freestyle Superstars feature is a brilliant touch and the game modes are chock full of favorites new and old.  Dynasty Mode is nice and deep and who doesn’t love the NBA All-Star game?  There’s a PS2 exclusive in the form of a playable version of NBA Live ‘95.  Overall, this is a great package.

Multiplayer: 9.0
The online multiplayer is just one of the many highlights this game has to offer and because it runs at a steady framerate this is yet another perfect online sports game.  Not only does it support leagues but also the tournaments will have you playing against players at your own skill. You can play using a Broadband or Dial-Up connection.

Overall: 8.9
EA Sports has done a magnificent job with NBA Live 06, one of the best basketball games to come out this year.  While its gameplay mechanics don’t quite come close to capturing the balance between simulator and arcade sports game that NBA 2K6 clearly possesses, this is a solid basketball game that no PS2 owner should miss.