NBA Live 95

From Hoopedia

Electronic Arts brings an entirely new basketball game to the Super NES, one that delivers fast action along with an NBA five-on-five contest. NBA Live 95 provides a 30-degree perspective to let you see open lanes and minimizes the congestion of players found in previous games based on the sport. Witness a TV-style presentation that will keep you updated on a player's stats, streaks, or even where he went to college! Passing on the run, blocks, alley oops, and dunks are all here to give you control of the action.

Those who prefer a more strategy-oriented game will appreciate the 46 offensive plays and four defensive sets. Three difficulty levels, four different quarter-lengths, and thirteen rules (including fatigue and injuries) can be adjusted to suit your style of play. Game modes include playing a full or reduced Season, Exhibition game or Playoffs, with battery backup storing user statistics, season standings and playoff position. Twenty-seven NBA and two All-Star teams from the 1993-94 season are featured in this 12-Meg cartridge, and players have the ability to create up to four teams of their own.

~ Brett Alan Weiss, All Game Guide

Roots & Influences

Electronic Arts' Bulls versus Blazers (1992) and NBA Showdown (1993) were both slow, methodical basketball titles released for the Super NES based on the engine first used in Lakers versus Celtics (1990) for the Sega Genesis. (Bulls versus Lakers was released for the Genesis in 1991.) All of these games featured a horizontal view of the court, so players would slowly move from left to right and vice-versa, making it difficult to see open lanes. Animation was choppy and the games, while fun at the time of their release, began to show their age. The pacing and excitement found in the NBA just weren't there, so the engine was finally laid to rest after four years. That paved the way for 1994's NBA Live 95.

I can't imagine anyone not enjoying this game when they first pick it up. Simulation fans will probably be disappointed by the fast-paced action.

~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide