NBA Live 2002\nRating: E for Everyone\nFor: X-Box, Playstation 2\n: EA Sports\nFollowing in the proud tradition of its numerous predecessors "NBA Live 2002" makes quite an impact upon the X-Box. However, the game is far from perfect in that it has frequent lapses in defense, an annoying trend among many hoops titles.\n"NBA Live 2002" boasts many features which have become standard in this ever-expanding technological age. The game has both season and franchise modes, in which gamers can control a team in hopes of steering them towards the playoffs. Similar to the "All-Madden" teams featured in EA's popular gridiron titles players will have "Legends" squads ranging from the '50s to the '90s and featuring greats including Dr. J, Pete Marovich, George Gervin, Larry Bird and Isiah Thomas, among many others, as well as modern day Eastern and Western Conference All-Stars. \nA feature that sets "NBA Live 2002" aside from its competition is the 1-on-1 gaming mode. To have an onslaught of Hall of Famers as well as today's premiere ballers squaring off against one another amid blacktop and chainlink fencing is really entertaining. Another element of the game that sets it apart from titles of yore is the inclusion of "His Airness" Michael Jordan. Few games, aside from the old school Nintendo 8-bit title "Jordan vs. Bird," have included this living legend because of licensing rights.\nThe game's biggest drawback is its lack of defense. First off, it's hard to understand, especially rebounding. And secondly, once gamers discover the placement of the turbo trigger as well as their squad's most solid player, it's too easy to win. Even in Superstar mode (supposedly the game's toughest) you can blow by the computer or your opponent's defense in an effortless drive to the hole. For instance, I typically play as the Sacramento Kings at the Superstar level, and square off against such formidable teams as the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia '76ers or the unstoppable Los Angeles Lakers, but still manage to take C-Webb to 40-plus points a game. Sure, it's fun, but it's unrealistic.\n"NBA Live 2002" has incredible graphics and sound thanks to strong work by the ever-dependable EA Sports and the X-Box's powerhouse hardware. It's not the greatest hoops game on the market (that would be EA's "NBA Street," far less realistic yet far more entertaining), but it's certainly a good time.\n\n
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