NBA Live 08 (Wii, 2007)

NBA 08
Ea Sports goes for an easy lay-up instead of the slam-dunk.

Features, for instance, don't serve any real purpose. Offensively, players swivel the controller around to control the ball's dribble motions, although it opens up the chance of losing the ball if they get sloppy. On defense, players move their defender's arms with up and down motions, although it just seems simpler to jump up and get in a shooter's face with the tap of a button, rather than jerking the controller and getting sore wrists.

Good portion of the game's audio captures the essence of being smack dab in the middle in an arena for an NBA game, although the commentary needed work. Mark Jackson and Kevin Calabro keep up with the on-court action, but repeat comments way too often

Presentation-wise, the game displays in full 1080p, with sharp details with the court and player animations. It runs at a soft and smooth sixty frames per second, with very few slowdown or glitch issues. However, a few player models look hideous up-close

NBA 08 still has a lot going for it. The mini-games are a lot of fun, especially Own the Court, where players shoot as many successful shots as possible in different spots marked on the court. Players also have Season and Playoffs modes on hand, with plenty of player-creation and team-balancing options. Those eager to create their own NBA legend will find customization options galore, with the ability to expand their attributes with each victory and challenging others online through the PlayStation Network.

Still, it's just not enough to be a true NBA contender – not yet, anyways. NBA 08 shows fine progress, but a few minor things hold it back from achieving the much-needed victory. Basketball fans may want to give it a rental, if only to check out the fully stacked NBA Replay mode or construct their own warped little creations. Everyone else, though, may want to wait for next year's contender.

OVERALL 6.5/10

NBA 2K8
First of all i must admit 2k7 was amazing game last yr. I had never played any of the 2k games(BASKETBALL) and i've always played live but the moment my friend let me play the 2k8 I Sold my NBA 08 and bouught NBA 2K8. Nba 2k8 as a whole is way better then Nba live and It will only continue to be better with every version they make of it. I am Very pleased with my new purchase.This is the Best basketball game out there

OVERALL 9.5/10

The choice of players and of teams were great. The realism of play was good and the graphics for play on the Wii were good. I liked the All Play option as it gave newbes a chance to start playing right away and move on to the more in depth play as they were ready.it was good to have several choices for typ[es of play like one game or an entire season. I would recommend this game to any Wii owner. It is as good as the 2009 version at a much lower price.

Yes, the controls to shoot/block shots and steal the ball with the Wiimote are not always accurate. However, this game is fun. Bought it cheap to begin with ($17.00) and it STILL has online play. AND it is FUN. I love the "block" sound that eminates from your Wiimote when you swat someone's shot. I love double-teaming in the backcourt and intercepting passes. I love attempting to get the "touch" on the freethrows with a cruddy shooter (a Wiimote flick forward at proper speed does the trick). This game is unlike all of the other versions on the Xbox 360 and PS3 because it is a Wii! I've been playing video game systems since about 1978 (remember "pong" and the "Atari 2600?") and this is just another specimen of great and innovative gameplay on the Wii. Long live the Wii and games like NBA Live 08!

Although this is the 2008 version of NBA Live, it has such great animations. The players are very realistic & it's easy to play. This year was our sons first year to play real basketball, and this game really helped him to learn the little things that you just have to experience yourself rather than to be taught by a coach. We purchased this for Christmas '09 and were not a bit disappointed in it not being the '10 version.

I bought this wii game for my kids. The price was right, and they have had alot of fun playing with it. It took a little while to get the hang of playing it, but they really enjoy it.