NBA Live 97 (1996)

Publisher: Tec Toy
Platforms: Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Saturn, PlayStation
Genres: Sport
Rating: 4.0 of 5, 12 player ratings

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A grounded basketball simulation where careful play-calling and team management take center stage over flashy arcade action.

realisticcompetitivesimulation-focusedmethodicalstrategicaccessiblesports-faithful

About

NBA Live 97 is a basketball game with an emphasis on realism. You can choose from all of the NBA teams, create a team with players you create yourself, or choose a team formed by the All-Star players of the east or West coasts. When you create a player yourself you can customize the player to a high degree. There are over 60 offensive and 10 defensive set-ups. Match options include an exhibition match, a whole season or the playoffs.

What players say

An early 3D basketball game praised at release for motion-capture animation and a wide move set, but remembered now as sluggish and dated with shaky AI. Mildly nostalgic 'sneaky fun' for retro sports fans rather than a standout.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.