OFFICIAL NBA LIVE VS. ESPN 2K5 Head to Head Showdown:

[BIGBEN2K5]

Eventhough espn 2k5 has no fresh infos or vids until today, please try to post your own reviews or future ratings for both games..

This would be my First reviews:

GAMEPLAY -
Live's new freestyle Air, the new put-up dunks, tip-ins, floor spacing & improved 10 mocap has surely improved the game better.

Espn's 2k5 Reactive court sense & the New Isomotion2 will be the biggest improvement of VC this year and it is going to rock if it is free from bugs.

WINNER: ESPN 2K5

SOUND -
Live's albert/fratello tandem is really unbeatable and if ea will just fixed the little things like the sound of the rim when u dunk & new music raps, they will get a perfect 10.

Espn's new emcee Bill Walton is a good addition to improve 2k5's commentary plus the entry of tafoya in the sideline will give a threat to marv & mike.

WINNER: NBA LIVE 05

GRAPHICS -
Live's graphics improved better but the player models are still a liitle bit cartoonist type.

ESPN/VC is unbeatable so far when it comes to graphics presentation & lighting with the New Triple Pass system & shadowing, player models are almost perfect with their real counterparts.

WINNER: ESPN NBA 2K5

FRANCHISE MODE -

The new franchise mode in Live05 was well said by the ea's producer and it is promising to be a great factor for live.

There's no info yet re the dynasty mode of ESPN but rumors said that it will be as depth as NFL 2k5 w/ training camps & cut-scenes when negotiating w/ players & so on..

WINNER: BOTH

EXTRA STUFF -

Live's All-star weekend is so far the biggest addition of ea because a lot of kids and adults love arcade fun game & this stuff really hyped nba live 05 but all of us love it and the best extra game for live series.

ESPN 24/7 mode will have a lot of additions this year although we have no updates yet on the specific improvements but if ESPn will put their own all-star weekend w/ the slamdunk & shootout stuff, Live is in trouble.. Just imagine an ALL-STAR weekend & 24/7 modes in espn $20 game..

WINNER: BOTH

OVER-ALL - BOTH GAMES are a winner at this moment as we haven't seen more infos from both titles especially from ESPN but i think whoever has a better GAMEPLAY & FRANCHISE MODE over-all will WIN the head to head showdown for the greatest basketball videogame for this year..

Lets make our OWN REVIEWS as NEW INFOS & UPDATES are coming soon

[Darius Miles]

graphics?

epsn is never better than live in this category. whenever i saw a pic of espn, i'll have to think @ lego toys...

[sho89mtx]

graphics?

epsn is never better than live in this category. whenever i saw a pic of espn, i'll have to think @ lego toys...

oh my, here we go again....i swear some of you need glasses. The graphics aren't even close last year in basketball and football games. He's right, EA looks cartoonish, sega looks real, just watch the replays where they zoom in on espn basketball(because they didn't have a zoom camera angle last year)and you'll see just how detailed each face and body is compared to cartoon land with EA

[hmm]

....................................

[gifted]

here are what mine would look like...

GAMEPLAY -
WINNER: NBA Live 2005 by a long stretch

SOUND -
WINNER: NBA Live 2005

ANIMATION -
WINNER: NBA Live 2005

GRAPHICS -
WINNER: ESPN NBA Basketball 2K5 by a long stretch

FRANCHISE/DYNASTY -
WINNER: ESPN NBA Basketball 2K5

EXTRA STUFF -
WINNER: NBA Live 2005

OVERALL -
overall i'd give it 2 NBA Live 2005 because it just kills ESPN is gameplay. but im also probably gonna get ESPN because of what its worth... for 20 dollars, i think its a pretty good deal...

[sixerfan03]

here are what mine would look like...

GAMEPLAY -
WINNER: NBA Live 2005 by a long stretch

SOUND -
WINNER: NBA Live 2005

ANIMATION -
WINNER: NBA Live 2005

GRAPHICS -
WINNER: ESPN NBA Basketball 2K5 by a long stretch

FRANCHISE/DYNASTY -
WINNER: ESPN NBA Basketball 2K5

EXTRA STUFF -
WINNER: NBA Live 2005

OVERALL -
overall i'd give it 2 NBA Live 2005 because it just kills ESPN is gameplay. but im also probably gonna get ESPN because of what its worth... for 20 dollars, i think its a pretty good deal...

I agree with this.

[thaKEAF]

How can you judge ESPN when they haven't released ANY information at all, they've only released a couple early production pics.

[TheFranchiseKing]

I ususally play both games every year and regardless of which one looks better LIVE is always more fun. Hands down. I bet 75 percent of the people play BBall games for the FUNFACTOR. So what if you can see the shadow of my balls on the court, I am playing for fun.

[BIG GREEN]

Can we refrain from comparing two games that aren't even out? I mean come on.

[cocobee]

Can we refrain from comparing two games that aren't even out? I mean come on.

exactly..but I just some gameplay of ESPN 2k5 on Sportscenter--and the animations still look robotic IMHO. They just don't seem to get it over there at Sega. EA definetly gets the notch for animations anyway. That's from the videos i've seen.

But let's be like Janet Jackson and "Let's wait awhile."

[Andre]

Can we refrain from comparing two games that aren't even out? I mean come on.

exactly..but I just some gameplay of ESPN 2k5 on Sportscenter--and the animations still look robotic IMHO. They just don't seem to get it over there at Sega. EA definetly gets the notch for animations anyway. That's from the videos i've seen.

But let's be like Janet Jackson and "Let's wait awhile."

I saw it too...and they look robotic...they really don't get it, eh?

[Colin]

Live is killing ESPN in graphics so far. The only set of pics and this one vid I've seen of ESPN have the Lakers jerseys near pink (sort of a fuschia (sp?)) ESPN also has crap animations by the looks of it. I also give extras to Live because of the All-Star.

And that's the only things you can even remotely compare yet.

[gut]

I've never played ESPN 2k series before, so it is not suitable for me to compare Live and ESPN.

But I am curious that so many people said ESPN's graphic is much more better than Live's, according to what I've seen (screenshots of the 2k3, 2k4, 2k5). The graphic is bad (IMO).

Does the graphic in game is much more better than the screenshots?

If not, I think NBA Live's graphic is way better.

(PS. I am not comparing on player models or facial details,
I am comparing on the general look and feel of the game)

[Metsis]

Live 2005 -> For PC

2k5 -> Not for PC

Live wins every time...

[Hotshot]

How can you judge ESPN when they haven't released ANY information at all, they've only released a couple early production pics.

In my opinion, no game should be judged by pre-release screenshots and info... wait for a couple of a months till they're both released, then we'll talk
And you're not gonna get too many votes in favour of ESPN on an NBA Live board

[BIG GREEN]

In all honesty..i've never thought the Sega series had better graphics than live. While they had more lighting on their players...the players always looked like thick oily squarish plastic midgets. That said, live's graphics havent been all that either in terms of details and poly count on models, lighting etc...i've yet to see a real overhual on the graphics since live 2001.

I'd assume the main reason for this is cause live is a multiplatform game that gets released on the consoles....and it is that which holds the graphics back. Soon as the next gen consoles start comming out...expect live to look simply awsome.

[Metsis]

The consoles are what holds back the entire game... And it just screws us CPU users...

How good of a game could we have if Live was never released for consoles. Or if it was first made for the PC and then stripped down to fit the consoles...

I wish they had never changed the production... What kind of a live we would have today... That would be another big thing...

A lot of ifs... I'd like to see Live move back to the PC first attitude so that the PC visual and memory resources could be used to their full potential. Hance is right... When the next generation consoles arrive, we will see a huge face lift on the graphics. And probably on other areas as well.

Anyway... Live will always pound espn to the ground since it comes out on the PC.

[Silky Smooth Vlade]

If NBA Live was never released for the Consoles then I bet not enough money would've been drawn in by EA to make such a quality product like Live in the first place.

[Jackal]

I think graphics depend from person to person. I've seen people say they like ESPN graphics more, some say they prefer Live's. Same thing with Gameplay, I read alot of reviews etc and I tried ESPN, I didn't like it all that much. Perhaps I wasnt used to it and didn't give it a fair chance.

Anyways, head to head comparisons aren't too smart, they don't have much in common. It's good to have a wider variety. This way everyone can have it their way. (Have it your way, isn't that BK's slogan?)

And god-damn that sig is huge.

[The Duke]

if espn nba basketball 2k5 has sportscenter like nfl2k5 then its gonna be tight i mean, the presentation in nfl2k5 is serious, if espn nba has sportscenter with stu scott and clips from games thats going on and leauge new then i will cop it no doubt, but live is looking damn good right now, but i mean hey lets jus chill.

[Big J]

I think both games will be great!

PC gamers have no choice, we have to play Nba live

PS: Animations:

Espn2k5:not great(f***k)

Nba live 2005: realy realistic and smooth

Gameplay:

Espn: We dont know yet

Nba Live: sounds great and realistic


Cant wait till October

[Little_Big_Man]

.....So what if you can see the shadow of my balls on the court.........

That quote was funny as hell, but still brutally honest. Realism in the graphics do make the game more enjoyable and feel more lifelike. But if the gameplay doesn't feel right or the movement isn't fluid it makes it less enjoyable. I've played the Sega 2k Series and the NFL 2k Series and the NFL game has made great strides and looks to compete head to head with Madden this year. But the NBA game is still lacking imo and Live is sure to be far superior this year. Much props to EA for this release of live.

[BIGBEN2K5]

Easports already LAY their cards for their game & their Best Additions this year is the All-star Weekend & the Freestlye Air BUT as of now ESPN is still MUM & very SECRET about their game and I kbow that they are just so systematic in releasing infos because NHL hockey must go first before the NBA..

I will buy both LIVE & ESPN but guys believe me, If ESPN will have an NBA explosive as NFL with their presentation & new gameplay, NBA LIVE05 is going to run with their money.

If Espn could perfect their New Reactive Court Sense, New Isomotion2, install new dunk/ shooting animations, improved commentary by Bill Walton plus a bonus sidelights & post game review by TAFOYA, better 24/7 mode, Better Dynasty mode & their superiority in GRAPHICS Visual & presentation, even without an ALL-star Weekend THIS WILL BE THE NO. 1 GAME & will spoil the 10th Anniversary of NBA live...

But if the BAD Memories & gameplay of 2k4 will be present, IT WILL BE THE END of 2K series but I doubt it...

[ludacris06]

I lost faith in VC's basketball series because they lied about 2k4 and sold big off a game that was shit. I'm not fallin for that bs again.

From what I see so far, 2k5 looks like 2k4 and has crappy animations. Isomotion is gay because the moves are random and once it's mastered, the game is pointless. They should have just ripped freestyle just like they ripped the double team from Live. Compared to NBA Live 2005, ESPN is nothing as of now.

[BIGBEN2K5]

ESPN 2k5 is a sure winner in the GRAPHICS.. Check this out!

And Game Daily posted a preview for 2k5:

Over the past few years, Sega has dominated with their game of digital hoops, bringing the NBA 2K series to new heights over the competition. This year will be no exception, as NBA 2K5 looks to be the culminative basketball experience. The same quality gameplay that made the series great is back, along with a couple of new additions to make it a much deeper experience. Add in more extras and a $20 price tag, and you have a game that will be unstoppable later this year.

In Depth Preview:

What defines a basketball experience? Well, that really depends on the player at hand. If you're one of those hardcore fans who really appreciates the depth of stat tracking, keeping an eye on your team and making sure their chemistry works, then you'd probably enjoy an EA Sports effort. If you're quick with the arcade skills, tip your hat to the likes of NBA Jam, or maybe even Midway's one-on-one opus NBA Ballers. But no matter what, there is one series that balances the simulation and arcade efforts hand in hand, and that's Sega's NBA 2K series.

Launched back on the Sega Dreamcast, the series has become the hottest thing in town for basketball action. It shifted over to multi-platform in 2001, and added ESPN to the festivities last year. ESPN NBA Basketball has become a must-have game for basketball fans. Now Visual Concepts, the development team behind the powerhouse game, is back again, and ESPN NBA 2K5 looks to be the most powerful basketball effort yet.

The thing that makes this series work is its dominant presentation, and with an early hands-on test with the game, I found that the presentation has been left completely intact. The dramatic replays (complete with slo-mo), the ESPN attitude, the beautiful graphic layout, the atmospheric sound and punctuality of the announcing team, and, yes, the gameplay, are all back for a second round, bringing the experience that we know and love back into play. Of course, some new features have been added as well, and you're bound to love the changes.

This will be the second Sega Sports title to be offered right out of the gate at $19.99. This price alone is significant, as it helped push big numbers for ESPN NFL 2K5 (800,000 copies sold thus far) and will probably do the same for the forthcoming ESPN NHL 2K5, also launching for $20. A game of this stature is certainly worth full price, but the bargain price makes it a steal (an even better steal than Iverson sneaking the ball away from Kobe on a fast break!)

IsoMotion and 24/7 are back, and have additions that are sure to please. IsoMotion2 offers more refined spin moves, crossovers, and fakes to help you get to the basket, and also helps out when it comes to forcing turnovers or keeping confident players from trying to score. It's almost the same as in previous games, but you can tell it's a bit more focused. As for 24/7, it has more items to unlock, a few new mini-games to play, multiplayer efforts, and a respect engine that allows you to build up your skills further and even build yourself a fan base. Online play is also making a return, with stat-tracking, buddy lists, updates, and so much more to make your challenges more exciting.

The ESPN experience promises to be much more focused. You'll still have access to all sorts of ESPN stats and presentation, and being added to the mix this time around are Hall of Fame legend Bill Walton, offering his two cents to each new challenge, and sideline reporter Michelle Tafoya, who offers updates on injuries, switch-outs, and possible problems during a game. Visual Concepts is also making sure that the visuals and audio are perfectly in check, and have introduced some slick new lighting effects, animations, and better player expressions to make the experience more genuine.

The real gem here is the gameplay, and the developers have added some nice touches. First off is Reactive Court Sense, which allows individual players to gain some level of intelligence during a game and actually determine what sort of moves they make. This means better computer-controlled player actions, so while you maintain your player, they'll actually react offensively and defensively to help key plays reach full effect. Each team plays differently as well- some may rely on close-up plays and defense, while others will look for three-point opportunities and shot-blocking options. The depth here is staggering- you won't see the Nuggets pull off something the Clippers might do, unless the situation calls for something similar to that nature.

Of course, I mentioned IsoMotion2 and how it will help affect key plays, but there's also something called The Next Movement, which will actually be based on physical attributes above anything else. This uses a player's physical stature and abilities, so that particular plays can change with individual players. For instance, Carmelo Anthony might be able to fast break better than Nene. And, of course, Shaq makes a better blocker for the Heat than any number of players. Of course, this is a given, but here it's been utilized to actually work better in the gameplay, making it more realistic.

The playtest time I had with this game was a lot of fun, like the previous Sega NBA efforts, and this year looks to be another win for them. ESPN NBA 2K5 looks like it will quite the steal at $20, offering the deepest gameplay elements around along with some extraordinary modes, online play, and the best presentation this side of television.