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[Guileless]

I have bought--and returned--ESPN for the last 3 years. It's too bad that it has started to blow because the Dreamcast editions were so great. But since it's only $20 I'll cut it more slack this year. I haven't bought Live since Tim Hardaway was on the cover but I'm open-minded about it too. I really miss Inside Drive (damn you MS for closing it down, I would have paid $50 for new rosters and the same game as last year).

So which is better, from an ID/Dreamcast 2k series fan's point of view?
Which game is better on Xbox Live?

Price doesn't matter, I'll pay $10 more dollars if Live is better.

 

[theo]

I'm really digging ESPN this year, and I hated last years edition...

 

[Musashi Wins!]

ESPN2k5. Soooooo much better than last year.

And the all-star weekend on NBA LIVE is f*cking ghey. You'll be bored in 20 minutes. And you can't play it on LIVE.

 

[shpankey]

i was just like you, used to love nba 2k1 on the dreamcast, hated them all on xbox. went to inside drive for 3 years (and fricken loved it!) until this year. i rented both on my gamefly account and while espn nba 2k5 is not "bad" this year like it has been, it's also not that great. they at least got it to quit sucking ass this year. but honestly, nba live 2005 kicks its ass. at first it took a small bit to change from inside drive, but not long (about 2, 3 games) and now i'm in love. this game is awesome. i love it.

this is from the perspective of someone who had your exact same taste. trust me dude, live is the better choice. you will thank me later.

 

[neptunes]

NBA Street 3

 

[DCX]

ESPN NBA 2k5, there is no other.

DCX

 

[dskillzhtown]

NBA Street 3

Yeah, wait for that or play NBA Ballers, lol.

I think all the games have been lacking this year and prior years.

 

[pilonv1]

COLLEGE HOOPS 2k5. Not even close.

 

[golem]

2k5 on xbox2

 

[Moegames]

I'm really digging ESPN this year, and I hated last years edition...

Same here..not sure what happened last year with ESPN but it sucked hard but this years game rocks bigtime. ESPN HOOP's is even a tad better if you dig college bball.

Both games are better then EAsports counterparts for this year...go ESPN this year for a better game at a better price.

 

[FrenchMovieTheme]

don't listen to any of these people (unless they agree with me, i didnt read). here is the straight dope from the horses mouth:

ESPN NBA
+ Decent pacing
+ Nice graphics
+ Deep, if flawed, franchise mode
+ Awesome online leagues and online setup...
- But the gameplay is dog shit
- there is a turnover bug whereby your turnovers are automatically doubled. also, if you get blocked it counts as a turnover (and a missed shot to boot)
- big men are retarded. do you enjoy shaq drifting to the 3 point line for a bucket? you will see it here.
- terrible low post play.
- too many steals
- no fouls called

NBA live (i haven't played it as much)
+ better low post play
+ improved graphics that are very smooth on xbox
+ gameplay is pretty fun
+ all-star weekend (slam dunk contest + 3 pt contest)
- online play is a fucking joke destroyed by a bad framerate and laggy play
- not as many coaching options as espn


overall i would say go with ESPN NCAA 2k5. it is like espn nba 2k5, but at least 50% better. it fixes a lot of the crappy steal, turnover and foul problems, and also has improved low post play. go with ESPN NCAA 2k5 unless you HAVE to have an nba game. if you must own one of the two crappy nba games, i say flip a coin. if you dont plan to play online at all, just get nba live. if you do, then flip the coin.