Underplayed Gems

NBA Live 97 (1996)

NBA Live 97 cover
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

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.

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