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NBA Live 99

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Critic Reviews 83% add missing review

PC Games (Germany) (93 out of 100)

NBA Live 99 kann sich aufgrund der besseren Präsenta tion und der technologischen Fortschritte knapp vor FIFA 99 plazieren, von NHL 99 muß es sich aber dennoch geschlagen geben. Für mich stellt sich langsam die Frage, ob der Vorsprung, den EA Sports mittlerweile herausgearbeitet hat, von irgendeinem anderen Hersteller überhaupt noch aufzuholen ist. NBA Live 99 setzt aus grafischer Sicht neue Maßstäbe und spielt sich auch noch ausgezeichnet. Fazit: Wer auf Basketball steht, kommt an diesem Spiel einfach nicht vorbei.

Dec 1998 · Windows

PC Gamer (92 out of 100)

Despite these few gaffes, NBA Live 99 is a sure-fire winner for basketball fans. I’ve experienced every type of outcome you can have in the 30 games I’ve played, including blowing out (and being blown out by) the computer, as well as several overtime games that have come down to the final shot. It’s a close enough representation of the real game to keep you playing right through the season…even if those knuckleheads in the NBA never kiss and make up.

Feb 1999 · Windows · read review

Hacker (91 out of 100)

Nemojte se ništa pitati. Naravno da je vrijedna! Tko god je jednom gledao utakmicu NBA momčadi zanimat će ga ova igra upravo zato jer će u mnogim situacijama pomisliti da je na pravom "parketu". Sve je idealno napravljeno - od grafike, zvuka, a pogotovo igrivost.

Dec 1998 · Windows

Game Revolution (A-)

For all of the mistakes EA Sports has made in the past in terms of barely updating their games, they have made amends with NBA Live '99. A lot has changed for the better and the game is probably one of their best ever. Live '99 will make you forget that basketball isn't on TV - it's just that good.

Dec 1st, 1998 · Windows · read review

MikroBitti (90 out of 100)

Koripallopelit ovat yleensä olleet EA Sportsin urheilukatalogin varsinaisia helmiä, vaikka ne myyntiluvuissa jäävätkin tällä puolella maapalloa futiksen ja lätkän jalkoihin. NBA Live 99 ei poikkea laadukkaasta linjasta, sillä viime vuoden versiosta ei kovin paljon parantamisen varaa jäänyt.

Dec 1st, 1999 · Windows

PC Action (Germany) (90 out of 100)

Wen interessiert schon der Streik in der NBA, wenn Sie sich die Action auch selbst auf den Bildschirm holen können? Technologisch ist NBA Live 99 das beste Spiel von EA Sports. (...) Ganz so flott wie NHL 99 spielt sich das Basketball-Pendant aber doch nicht, eigentlich fast der einzige Kritikpunkt an NBA Live 99. Dank der Manager- und Draft-Optionen kommt auch nach längerem Ballgeschiebe keine Langeweile auf, erstellen Sie sich einfach Ihr eigenes Dream Team oder päppeln Sie eine armamputierte Gurkentruppe langsam auf - extrem spannend. Im Gegensatz zu FIFA 99 lohnt sich bei NBA Live ein Update auch für die Besitzer der Vorversion auf jeden Fall. Weit und breit zeigt sich kein anderes Programm, das den EA-Korbjägern auch nur im entferntesten das Wasser reichen könnte

Dec 1998 · Windows

Computer Gaming World (CGW) ( )

That one glitch aside, NBA LIVE 99 maintains EA’s lock on the PC basketball crown through a combination of beautiful graphics, improved gameplay, and frenzied multiplayer fun. If you’ve got The Jones, then NBA LIVE 99 will get you through. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some channel-surfing to do....

Feb 1999 · Windows

PC Player (Germany) (90 out of 100)

Alle von uns bemängelten NBA-98 Kritikpunkte wurden konsequent ausgemerzt. Die Spielstärke der Computergegner wurde deutlich verbessert; Wiederholungen könen endlich gespeichert werden, und - kaum zu glauben - der deutsche Kommentator bringt tatsächlich ein bißchen Pepp ins Spiel - vorausgesetzt, man entscheidet sich nicht für den amerikanischen Sprecher. Wer die bisherigen Versionen als grafische Meisterleistung ansah, wird mit NBA 99 eines Besseren belehrt: animierte Gesichter; Spieler, die deutlich sichtbar den Ball fordern; ein frenetisch jubelndes Publikum und insbesondere der phantastisch spiegelnde Hallenboden entzücken jeden Grafik-Gourmet. Die Steuerung steht dem in nichts nach. Keine andere Basketballsimulation läßt ein so präzises Paßspiel zu.

Dec 1998 · Windows

GameSpot (8.9 out of 10)

When you strip away all the great new graphics and new season play, the core of the game is still great fun. NBA Live 99 is a fantastic game to play with others, especially on the same screen, where you can trash-talk after a monster dunk (hotseat, modem, and LAN play are supported). The game is still fast and fun basketball action, with some coaching options for making substitutions and calling play guidelines, but when the rock is in your hands, it's just you, the basket, and your hoop dreams. Like the NBA says, "I love this game."

Dec 9th, 1998 · Windows · read review

Power Play (87 out of 100)

Auch wenn Ihr Euch mit NBA 99 den schwächsten der drei herbstlichen EA-Sports-Spitzentitel zulegt, ein gnadenlos gutes Basketballspiel bekommt Ihr für Euer Geld allemal. Alles, was FIFA und NHL so unwiderstehlich und konkurrenzlos macht, wird auch hier geboten. Ausufernde Daten und Statistiken, peppig-poppige Sounds (diesmal z.B. von Jamiroquai), eine einsteigerfreundliche Steuerung, die sich einem bei längerer Beschäftigung immer weiter erschließt und vier unterschiedliche Schwierigkeitsgrade, die Anfangserfolge zulassen, aber auch meisterliche Spieler herausfordern. Grafisch ist der Titel ebenfalls sauber in Szene gesetzt, wenn auch die Polygonkörper ein bißchen kantig geraten sind, die Gesichter einen leicht stupiden Ausdruck haben und die Sportler manchmal etwas unbeholfen über das Feld ruckeln und zuckeln. Wer also Basketball liebt, bekommt hier die beste Simulation des Jahres, wer dem Ami-Sport noch nicht allzuviel abgewinnen kann, sollte erst mal probespielen.

Dec 1998 · Windows

GameStar (Germany) (86 out of 100)

Das letztjährige NBA hat mir nicht besonders gut gefallen. Die 99er Auflage hab’ ich aber wieder richtig gern gespielt, wenn man auch die Neuerungen an einer Hand abzählen kann. Doch allein schon, daß ich nun mehr als eine Saison hintereinander mit schwächer und stärker werdenden Korbjägern spielen kann, lohnt für mich als NBA-Fan den Kauf. Verletzungen und Transfers tun ein Übriges, um dem Programm den Anstrich einer richtigen Liga-Simulation zu geben.

Dec 1998 · Windows

Gameplay (Benelux) (85 out of 100)

Ze hebben bij EA nog maar eens een pracht van een sporttitel weten klaar te stomen, en de concurrentie zal weer niet veel meer kunnen doen dan NBA Live proberen te evenaren. Er zijn nog steeds detailfoutjes en de vooruitgang is misschien wat minder spectaculair dan tussen NBA 98 en 97, maar iedereen die van basketbal houdt, MOET dit spel gewoon in huis halen.

Nov 30th, 1998 · Windows

Svenska PC Gamer (84 out of 100)

Det här är ett bra spel med fin grafik. NBA Live 99 är realistiskt, och skulle kunna vara hämtat ur en amerikansk TV-sändning. Tråkigare kan man ha.

Dec 1998 · Windows

PC Joker (83 out of 100)

Karrieremodus, kompletter NBA-Draft, CPU-Angebote zum Spielertausch während der Saison, eine verbesserte KI von rechnergesteuerten Teamkameraden sowie Gegnern und eine dezent überarbeitete Steuerung sind ebenfalls mit von der Partie. Fazit: Derart perfektionierte Körbe läßt man sich gerne geben.

Dec 1998 · Windows

PC Accelerator (8 out of 10)

Despite these flaws, Live '99 manages to be what few (if any) PC basketball games have been in the past: both graphically impressive and fun. If you are a hardcore hoops fan frustrated at the attitude of the NBA players, you might want to give this game a try. At least you won't have to sit through a lockout in this one.

Jan 1999 · Windows

Power Unlimited (8 out of 10)

EA Sports presteert het toch elk jaar weer. NBA Live 99 is nog beter dan z'n voorganger en is een toptitel die op de harde schijf van iedere basketbalfan thuishoort.

Feb 1999 · Windows

GameGenie ( )

Gameplay will be the dominant factor in this title's success and seeing that the game is more difficult and realistic, it should be satisfying. Some adjustments to ratings could make the game play even better. If you're into arcade basketball and don't mind waiting for a roster update and a patch, NBA Live 99 might just be for you.

1998 · Windows · read review

All Game Guide ( )

NBA Live 99 delievers a full basketball experience. Multiple seasons could literally keep a player busy for years which makes one wonder if anyone will really need the next version.

1998 · Windows · read review

Adrenaline Vault, The (AVault) ( )

If you are itching for the NBA season to start, you might be in for a long wait. I would suggest that you give this game a try. If you have never played a basketball game on your computer, this is the one to try. No other company makes sports games as playable on the computer as EA. I would have liked to have the ability to custom design my own camera angle, but that feature is lacking in all EA Sports games. I also think that there could have been one or two more difficulty levels that didn’t make as drastic a difference in the game. With a couple of gripes aside, this is a solid game and is well worth the consideration of sports fans.

Nov 23rd, 1998 · Windows · read review

PC Gamer Brasil (65 out of 100)

Tanta coisa errada e ainda assim muitas vendas estão garantidas para a EA, porque apesar de tudo, ainda é possível desfrutar do jogo. Não pergunte porquê, pois as falhas parecem insolúveis. Ainda assim, é bastante divertido correr para o centro da quadra e encestar seu caminho para os play-offs.

Mar 1999 · Windows

Imperium Gier ( )

Możemy wziąć udział w pojedynczym meczu, w konkursie za 3 punkty, w rozgrywkach tzw. play-off oraz możemy na początek potrenować dzięki opcji Practise. Na tą opcję chciałem zwrócić szczególną uwagę gdyż po raz pierwszy taka funkcja pojawiła się w grze z cyklu NBA. Mówiąc ogólnie trening wygląda jak popularny u nas turniej STREETBALL. Mamy do dyspozycji kosze na których, "wyżywamy" się do woli tzn. miałem na myśli doskonalenie techniki i umiejętności. Boisko przypomina nieco szkolne podwórko, ale to nie wpływa na uczucie zadowolenia płynącego z takiej rozgrywki. Tylko Ty, piłka i kosz, czy potrzeba cos więcej? Przez cały czas jesteś dopingowany przez odgłosy dobiegające z ust twoich fanów i fanek!!

Jan 12th, 1999 · Windows · read review

Computer and Video Games (CVG) ( )

If you're playing on a keyboard, the game isn't as good, as you have too many moves and not enough fingers to use all of the buttons. But it's good fun and excellent for those with any sort of NBA interests.

Mar 1999 · Windows

Player Reviews

A solid (but not spectacular) continuation of the series.
by Roedie (5243)

The Good
NBA Live 99 is a game without any real heights or depths. The best thing about this game is the graphical presentation. The graphics are pretty good without serious hardware demands. The intro & halftime videos are very flashy, the courts shine like they've been polished very thoroughly and every player has his own, recognizable cyber-face (with the exception of the rookies). Real-life players are modeled realistically. There are many different moves you can execute. The motion-captured animations look realistic; a lot of these animations were reused in NBA Live 2000. However you can see clearly when one move/animation finishes and another one starts. The separate animations don't blend together.

NBA Live 99 has all the options you expect from an EA basketball game: exhibition mode, season mode, multiple seasons, custom teams, a player editor, several camera views, replay modes, statistics, trades, four levels of difficulty, all 29 teams & arenas. So it's very complete. The game also has several tactical & strategic options; you decide whether you want to box out or crash the boards, who should defend who, which player should be double-teamed, whether you want to play full court press or not. It also offers many offensive strategies. I find the defensive strategies useful but those 30 or more offensive schemes are rather confusing (more on that later). I usually let the computer pick one.

The Bad
First I want to explain my complaint about those 30-plus offensive schemes. I'm a basketball fan, but I'm neither a player nor a coach. I know what a full court press is and what happens when you double-team somebody. However I don't know what a Hawks 6 offensive play is or what to expect when you call a Zipper play. The manual offers very little help. This is a problem I have encountered with other sports games as well. EA's motto is: If it's in the game, it's in the game. Well, if it's in the game it should be in the manual!

All those different moves you can perform require the use of many different keys. I've got ten fingers and sometimes it seems like that isn't enough. Using the keyboard isn't great, but I haven't found the perfect 10-button PC gamepad yet. The PlayStation version is probably without these problems.

While the play-by-play commentary keeps up with the pace of the game, the color-speech is often non-existent. Reggie Theus doesn't have too many lines. I guess he hasn't been visiting the recording studio very often.

The frequent use of close-ups becomes very annoying after a while since it interrupts the flow of the game. This is especially the case when a player takes a free throw. You have to watch him get the ball from the referee, prepare for the shot and read info about him (Do we really want to know that Damon Stoudamire went to Arizona?). Unfortunately you can't click it away.

The game was brought to the market a bit too early. Top rookies like Paul Pierce, Antawn Jamison and Vince Carter are in the game but have generic faces. Other rookies are missing. Why couldn't they wait a little longer and include the complete 1998-1999 opening night rosters?

The game is too repetitive (in single player mode at least), when you play a season all games look alike. It doesn't really matter with which team you play (or against which team). I mean you can play ten 82-game seasons with 48 minutes per game (which translates to over 1000 hours behind your PC because of free throws & time-outs) but nobody will. You could opt to simulate most of those games, but this is not a management game (the game menus don't suit this way of playing).

My final complaints:

  • Blocking and stealing is too easy and thus happens too often.
  • The wrong guys get the rebounds. The shooting guard gets most of the rebounds, not the center or the power forward.
  • Players do not become tired; you can play the entire game with your starting five (this can be patched).
  • You can't score when you are underneath or very close to the basket.


**The Bottom Line**
I realize that the Bad section is a lot larger than the Good section, but this is not a bad game. The gameplay is OK and the game looks good. However the release of NBA Live 2000 has made this game more or less obsolete. NBA Live 2000 has everything this game has, only better and it adds a better franchise mode, a one-on-one mode and five teams of NBA legends including Bird, Magic, Dr. J. and Jordan. I actually traded in my 99 copy when I bought the 2000 version and I never miss this one.

Jan 24th, 2002 · Windows

Plus 8 player ratings without reviews

Contributors to this Entry

Critic reviews added by Patrick Bregger, Longwalker, Plok, Cantillon, naula, Wizo, Tim Janssen, Tomas Pettersson, Foxhack, vedder, Jeanne, Big John WV, Cavalary, chirinea, ti00rki.