I grew up playing Jordan vs. Bird, Double Dribble, NBA Jam and NBA Live for Sega and Super Nintendo. For the last eight or nine years, I’ve been a 2K guy. But I do play Live at other guys’ houses. Some guys are just 2K guys, some are Live guys. 2K is really revolutionary. The jerseys, how players run, sweat, it looks so real. They have the sneaker details and the tattoos, signature free throws, how they run back after they make a shot, it’s crazy. I love it.

The 5-on-5 mode in 2K10 is awesome. You can get with your friends and create your own team and design jerseys and play a whole season. Live 10 has something similar (adidas Live Run) but I haven’t tried that yet.

I’ve noticed how in Madden you can bump into the referees and they play a significant role, and I’d like to see them a bit more involved in the gameplay of the basketball games. Technicals could be a bit more prevalent. They should also go back to being able to dribble the ball with both analog sticks, but they’re doing a great job.

I also like how in 2K10 you can shoot off the glass if you have a good angle, kinda like how Tim Duncan and Gilbert Arenas do. Floaters are getting realistic, the lobs, alley-oops—I would just like to see more tip dunks.

Live has stepped it up a bit, the improved defense and ballhandling is nice. And they finally added the Dynamic Season mode which really just follows the DNA of how the real NBA season plays out, with more up-to-date information, but I’m a 2K guy all the way.

I will say this to both games: I better have at least an 80-83 rating next year. I got better every year, I had a decent year last season, I went off at the end of the year and I’m proving in coach D’Antoni’s system. Hopefully they’ll see that.

NBA Live 10
EA Sports

The Live series has been taking a backseat to the 2K franchise for a few seasons now, but there’s a revival in the works from EA Sports in NBA Live 10.

The biggest improvement is in the gameplay and presentation. Gone are the stiff robotic player movements of years past; this year’s version sports much smoother movement. When Rip Hamilton runs through screens he no longer looks like Bowser mowing through Mario and Luigi. OK, we exaggerate, but the visuals resemble the players’ actual actions more. Player models are still a bit artificial looking, but it does not affect the enjoyment of the game. Aspiring point guards will appreciate Live’s emphasis on playmaking, as you can now control off-ball players while handling the ball instead of relying on the wonky AI to set them in pace for a pass. The AI’s defense has also been beefed up. A warning to those who relied on a dribble move to get to the basket or kickouts to shooters: the AI will be ready to thief the ball or passes. We were a bit annoyed by some game-controlled players being out of bounds to accept passes. We were also a bit bored at some of the recycled commentary after a few hours.

We didn’t get a chance to test the Dynamic Season mode (like last year’s version, it follows the actual NBA season, making for your own version of the ’09-10 NBA season) since the season hadn’t started during this review. The key game mode addition is the adidas Live Run. Allowing you to form your own squads of five to take on the gaming community in a virtual pickup playground. Sadly, our review was done so early in the game’s lifespan that we couldn’t get a five going, but it certainly looks promising for the Live player who’s mastered the AI (not an easy task). The very satisfying Dynasty mode is also present for those who enjoy micromanaging and building a team from the ground up. While we’ll put it just a bit below 2K10, Live 10 is a nice comeback season. Like the Clippers and Thunder of the NBA, we’re predicting that it has shown enough improvement to warrant a look this year. - Ming Wong #2

NBA 10: The Inside
Sony

For the hoopaholic on the go, PSP has you covered with NBA 10: The Inside. The go-to basketball game for portable video game units the past few years, this season’s version doesn’t offer so much in terms of improved gameplay, but there are some nice trinkets that will divert your attention enough during your commute to work so you can ignore the guy snoring next to you on the train. Lacking some of the extended dynasty modes of the games for the big boy systems, you can still get a decent run in on The Inside. Even if you get bored with the actual basketball playing, there are a load of fun mini games like H.O.R.S.E.and Skee-Ball. The Inside is an absolute steal and fun respite from the average bball game. - Seth Berkman #91