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NBA Live 2001
View on Wikipedia| NBA Live 2001 | |
|---|---|
European PlayStation cover art featuring Kevin Garnett | |
| Developer | EA Canada |
| Publisher | EA Sports |
| Series | NBA Live |
| Platforms | PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Windows |
| Release | PlayStation PlayStation 2 Windows |
| Genre | Sports (Basketball) |
| Modes | Single-player, Multiplayer |
NBA Live 2001 is the 2001 installment of the NBA Live video games series. The cover features Kevin Garnett as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The game was developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts under the EA Sports Label. NBA Live 2001 is followed by NBA Live 2002. The PC version of the game for the second year included EA's "Face in the Game" feature that debuted in NBA Live 2000, allowing players to use custom facial photographs on created players.
Reception
[edit]| Aggregator | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PC | PS | PS2 | |
| Metacritic | 78/100[5] | 86/100[6] | 74/100[7] |
| Publication | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PC | PS | PS2 | |
| CNET Gamecenter | N/A | 7/10[8] | N/A |
| Computer Gaming World | N/A | N/A | |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | N/A | 7.5/10[10][a] | 6.67/10[11][b] |
| EP Daily | N/A | 9/10[12] | 8/10[13] |
| Famitsu | N/A | N/A | 29/40[14] |
| Game Informer | N/A | 8/10[15] | 8.25/10[16] |
| GameFan | N/A | 89%[17][c] | N/A |
| GameRevolution | N/A | N/A | B[18] |
| GameSpot | 8/10[19] | 8.9/10[20] | 8.5/10[21] |
| GameSpy | 85%[22] | 87%[23] | 60%[24] |
| IGN | 8.3/10[25] | 9/10[26] | 7.4/10[27] |
| Next Generation | N/A | ||
| Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine | N/A | ||
| PC Gamer (US) | 65%[32] | N/A | N/A |
| The Cincinnati Enquirer | N/A | N/A | |
| Maxim | N/A | N/A | 8/10[34] |
The PlayStation and PC versions received "generally favorable reviews", while the PlayStation 2 version received "average" reviews, according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[5][6][7] Emmett Schkloven of NextGen said of the PS version, "If you like the franchise, it's a mild improvement. If you're not crazy about videogame basketball, this will not be the game to convert you."[28] Rob Smolka of the same magazine later said of the PS2 version, "It's good looking and [it] plays well, but it isn't quite the leap it should (and arguably could) have been."[29] In Japan, where the same console version was ported and published by Electronic Arts Victor on February 22, 2001, Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40.[14]
Gil Alexander Shif of GameZone gave the PC version 9.5 out of 10, calling it "the best basketball game you can buy for the PC, period."[35] However, Michael Lafferty gave the PlayStation version 8 out of 10, calling it "a wonderful journey with the elite of the basketball world, providing a variety of options that will appeal to a variety of players and skills."[36] William Abner of Computer Games Strategy Plus gave the PC version three stars out of five, saying, "NBA Live 2001 isn't a bad game. In fact, if you skipped last year's version you'll probably want to check it out. For longtime fans of the series there simply isn't enough new stuff to get excited about, however, and for every improvement there are missing features and lingering problems that drag the game down."[37]
Human Tornado of GamePro said of the PlayStation version in one review, "If you want a game that's more tailored to individual play rather than team cooperation, then NBA Live is a great choice. It also ekes out a slightly better score on the graphics front, and there are some extra bells and whistles like the one-on-one game. Still, this year's hoops head-to-head is a very close call. Both ShootOut and Live will give gamers a run for their money, and they both have excellent production values. For this season it's really just a matter of taste."[38][d] In another GamePro review, Dan Elektro said of the same console version, "As usual, it's EA's attention to detail that lifts Live up above the competition. The changes aren't too dramatic from last year – they're tweaks, really – but the improved graphics and new Challenge mode make it worth the price. If you're looking for the best of the class of '01, Live is it."[39][e] However, Uncle Dust said of the PlayStation 2 version, "This ProReview may sound like a long list of complaints, yet overall NBA Live 2001 is the best hoops game on the PS2."[40][f]
The PlayStation version of the game ranked 9th on NPD's list of Top Titles by units during the period from October 29 to November 11 in 2000.[41]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation version each a score of 7/10, 8/10, and 7.5/10.
- ^ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation 2 version each a score of 8/10, 7/10, and 5/10.
- ^ In GameFan's viewpoint of the PlayStation version, one critic gave it 84, and the other 94.
- ^ GamePro gave the PlayStation version two 5/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 4.5/5 for sound, and 4/5 for control in one review.
- ^ GamePro gave the PlayStation version 4.5/5 each for graphics, sound, control, and fun factor in another review.
- ^ GamePro gave the PlayStation 2 version two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 4/5 scores for control and fun factor.
References
[edit]- ^ GameSpot staff (October 12, 2000). "[NBA] Live 2001 Ships". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on November 9, 2000. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ GameSpot staff (January 24, 2001). "NBA Live 2001 PS2 ships". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on January 27, 2001. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Bye, John "Gestalt" (February 23, 2001). "New release round-up". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Walker, Trey (February 1, 2001). "NBA Live 2001 goes gold". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on April 19, 2001. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ a b "NBA Live 2001 critic reviews (PC)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ a b "NBA Live 2001 critic reviews (PS)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ a b "NBA Live 2001 critic reviews (PS2)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Rector, Brett (October 25, 2000). "NBA Live 2001 - PlayStation Review [Incomplete]". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on December 7, 2000. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ Jones, George (June 2001). "NBA Live 2001" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 203. Ziff Davis. p. 98. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ Leahy, Dan; Hager, Dean; Funk, Joe (December 2000). "NBA Live 2001 (PS)" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 137. Ziff Davis. p. 219. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Kujawa, Kraig; Hager, Dean; Leahy, Dan (March 2001). "NBA Live 2001 (PS2)" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 140. Ziff Davis. p. 115. Archived from the original on March 9, 2001. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Zimmerman, Chris (April 3, 2001). "NBA Live 2001 (PSX)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on November 14, 2003. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ Zimmerman, Chris (March 12, 2001). "NBA Live 2001 (PS2)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on August 17, 2002. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ a b "NBAライブ2001 (PS2)". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Archived from the original on March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Paul (December 2000). "NBA Live 2001 (PS)". Game Informer. No. 92. FuncoLand. p. 111.
- ^ "NBA Live 2001 (PS2)". Game Informer. No. 94. FuncoLand. February 2001.
- ^ Higgins, Geoff "El Nino"; Jacques Strap (December 2000). "NBA Live 2001 (PS)". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 12. BPA International. p. 126. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Dr. Moo (March 2001). "NBA Live 2001 Review (PS2)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Varanini, Giancarlo (February 15, 2001). "NBA Live 2001 Review (PC)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on March 31, 2001. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Satterfield, Shane (October 24, 2000). "NBA Live 2001 Review (PS)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on June 25, 2001. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- ^ Ahmed, Shahed (January 16, 2001). "NBA Live 2001 Review (PS2)". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on January 24, 2001. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
- ^ Quigley, Shawn (February 14, 2001). "NBA Live 2001 (PC)". SportPlanet. GameSpy Industries. Archived from the original on December 28, 2004. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ^ Ballerine, Bill (October 27, 2000). "NBA Live 2001 (PSX)". SportPlanet. GameSpy Industries. Archived from the original on December 28, 2004. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ^ Hiscock, Josh (February 5, 2001). "NBA Live 2001". PlanetPS2. GameSpy Industries. Archived from the original on February 15, 2001. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
- ^ Adams, Dan (February 22, 2001). "NBA Live 2001 (PC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Blache III, Fabian (October 20, 2000). "NBA Live 2001 (PS)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Zdyrko, David (January 23, 2001). "NBA Live 2001 (PS2)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Schkloven, Emmett (January 2001). "NBA Live 2001 (PS)". NextGen. No. 73. Imagine Media. p. 107. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Smolka, Rob (April 2001). "NBA Live 2001 (PS2)". NextGen. No. 76. Imagine Media. p. 78. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Zuniga, Todd (December 2000). "NBA Live 2001 (PS)". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 39. Ziff Davis. p. 174. Archived from the original on January 27, 2001. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Zuniga, Todd (March 2001). "NBA Live 2001 (PS2)". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 42. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 10, 2001. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
- ^ Smolka, Rob (May 2001). "NBA Live 2001". PC Gamer. Vol. 8, no. 5. Imagine Media. p. 60. Archived from the original on March 15, 2006. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
- ^ Saltzman, Marc (April 4, 2001). "Hoops, there it is on the PlayStation 2". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on November 13, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
- ^ Boyce, Ryan (January 16, 2001). "NBA Live 2001 (PS2)". Maxim. MaximNet, Inc. Archived from the original on January 27, 2001. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
- ^ Shif, Gil Alexander (March 6, 2001). "NBA Live 2001 Review - PC". GameZone. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
- ^ Lafferty, Michael (January 29, 2001). "NBA Live 2001 Review on PlayStation". GameZone. Archived from the original on September 20, 2005. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
- ^ Abner, William (February 20, 2001). "NBA Live 2001". Computer Games Strategy Plus. Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on May 16, 2003. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ Human Tornado (October 31, 2000). "NBA Live 2001 Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on December 13, 2004. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Dan Elektro (December 2000). "NBA Live 2001: Welcome to Hoop Heaven (PS)" (PDF). GamePro. No. 147. IDG. p. 160. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Uncle Dust (March 2001). "NBA Live 2001 for the PS2: Looks Great, Less Thrilling" (PDF). GamePro. No. 150. IDG. p. 94. Archived from the original on February 6, 2005. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ "NPD top titles by units". Video Business. Archived from the original on December 5, 2000. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
External links
[edit]NBA Live 2001
View on GrokipediaDevelopment
Production Team
NBA Live 2001 was developed by EA Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia, and published by EA Sports under Electronic Arts.[9][10] This marked the first project for a newly assembled production team at the studio dedicated to the NBA Live series, continuing the franchise's growth from its origins in the mid-1990s.[11] Key personnel included Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett, who served as the game's cover athlete for the North American release and contributed to motion capture sessions to refine player movements and animations.[12][13] His involvement helped capture authentic basketball motions, aligning with EA Canada's efforts to enhance realism in the series. The production timeline spanned much of 2000, focusing on advancing the franchise's shift from the isometric views prominent in 1990s entries like NBA Live 95 to a more immersive 3D simulation established in NBA Live 99.[14][15] Developers balanced introducing features such as improved trading systems and injury mechanics while addressing technical hurdles, including delays in finalizing the PC version due to animation and balance issues.[11]Key Innovations
NBA Live 2001 introduced significant graphical advancements over its predecessor, NBA Live 2000, primarily through increased polygon counts for player models and stadium environments, enabling sharper details in facial features, body proportions, and arena textures. This upgrade contributed to more realistic visuals on next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 2, marking the series' transition to enhanced hardware capabilities.[16][17] A key technical innovation was the overhaul of ball physics, which provided more varied shot trajectories, realistic rim bounces, and diverse missed shot outcomes, setting a new standard for basketball simulation accuracy at the time. These improvements were achieved through advanced simulation algorithms that accounted for factors like spin, velocity, and impact, reducing repetitive animations and enhancing immersion during gameplay sequences such as free throws and rebounds.[7] The game also debuted a player personality system that brought emotional depth to on-court and sideline interactions, featuring new animations for behaviors like arguing referee calls, celebrating successful plays, and bench reactions to game events. This system utilized motion capture data, including contributions from cover athlete Kevin Garnett for dunk sequences, to create context-specific responses that reflected individual player traits and heightened the atmosphere of matches.[18][16] In audio design, NBA Live 2001 replaced Reggie Theus with former NBA player Bob Elliott as color commentator alongside play-by-play announcer Don Poier, incorporating an "event stack" technology for more context-aware and error-free lines that better synchronized with in-game actions. This update reduced repetitive commentary and improved relevance, such as referencing specific player performances or situational developments, elevating the broadcast-like feel of the experience.[6][19][20]Release
Platforms and Dates
NBA Live 2001 was released on three primary platforms: the PlayStation (PS1), PlayStation 2 (PS2)—marking the first entry in the series for the new console—and Microsoft Windows for PC.[21][22] The game's rollout began with the PS1 version in late 2000, followed by the PS2 and PC editions in early 2001. Specific release dates by region and platform are as follows:| Platform | Region | Date |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation | North America | October 18, 2000[2] |
| PlayStation | Europe | November 10, 2000[23] |
| PlayStation 2 | North America | January 22, 2001[21] |
| PlayStation 2 | Europe | February 23, 2001[21] |
| PC | North America | February 8, 2001[3] |
