NBA Live 2001

EA Sports really has the PC games market cornered when it comes to major sporting simulations - Equestriad 2001 not withstanding. Cricket, rugby, FI racing and, of course, football are all given an annual make-over. This usually consists of slight gameplay tweaks and improved graphics to make the most of the latest machines.

NBA Live 2001 is no different, it's hardly distinguishable from the previous instalment and, like every other EA game, is extremely polished, from the gentle rap music and easy-to-navigate menus to the realism of the players. EA has made a move towards greater simplicity, closer to FIFA's interface than last year's NBA, which means you can jump into a game straight away. Unfortunately, it also limits the number of options and doesn't let you set the resolution or graphical detail.

For some reason, EA has also gotten rid of the player creation screen, where you could make a player, graft a photo of yourself onto his face and put him in your favourite team. Nostalgics can still find the All Star teams of all the past decades - back to the 1950s - but, inexplicably, there are no three-point shootouts or slam-dunking competitions.

Might As Well Jump

In the unlikely event that you're a keen follower of the NBA, you'll recognise every player, who now chat to each other as they walk into the arena. Actually hearing their voices makes a big difference, and brings the series one step closer to the real thing. In true FIFA style, your players can perform a series of beautifully animated skill moves to dazzle their opponents. But basketball is all about position and possession, both in defence and attack, so you don't have to worry about losing the ball within seconds of getting it, as you so often do in FIFA Here you can stop and think about what you're going to do next, keeping an eye on the clock at all times and trying to break through the defence. Defending is more about covering than trying to steal the ball which, unless you're playing in arcade mode, usually results in a foul.

The game modes are pretty straightforward and include the usual quick game, full season and play-offs. There's also a franchise mode for people with far too much time on their hands. It's basically a series of seasons through which you can build up your team, drafting in new blood at the start of each campaign. We'll stick to a quick match with a mate, thank you very much.

NBA Live 2001 is definitely a good game and probably the best basketball title available (Microsoft's NBA Inside Drive is not in the shops anymore, despite its supreme playability). The problem is that, as with all the EA Sports titles, you should only get it if you haven't bought any of the previous titles in the last few years. As always, check out the budget stands in your local game shop for a cheaper, and virtually identical, NBA Live 2000.

If you've got game, you're going to get rewarded handsomely in EA's NBA Live 2001. Live now has a reward system similar to the "Madden Challenge" that lets you earn new abilities and codes for accomplishing on-court feats. Also interesting is the player creation feature that allows you to assign personalities and facial expressions. So, if you want an Iverson-esque jerk, so be it in when the new Live hits in October.