None of the PAL versions features online play, so EA's ongoing battle with Microsoft over Xbox Live! is not an issue as far as which version of NBA Live 2004 is best. Although we found the PS2's extra shoulder buttons made the controls easier to use, we found shooting to be slightly more intuitive with the Xbox controller.

Shot accuracy in NBA Live is determined by your player's movement and your timing when releasing the shot button. Although marginal, it was harder to get our timing right with the DualShock 2, and with NBA Live's intricate system forcing you to think twice about three-pointers and the defence quick to read your patterns, the difference was clear.

NBA Live plays with a good balance of real-life modes such as Dynasty mode and championship formats, including playoffs and historic teams. Where EA's NBA Street is set at the backyard base level of the sport, it is the competitive modes that are most prominent in NBA Live. One-one-one practice courts allow for a full game complete with adjustable rules, but in the context of the rest of the game, the purpose seems to be more for practising shot accuracy, stealing, blocking and freestyle control.

The ability to alter the game's speed obviously affects those aspects of the game in the main modes. Like the other games in EA Sports' lineup, NBA Live 2004 provides a good balance of simulating the basics and keeping gameplay in check with custom design. Examples include the out of bounds force field and the rarity of getting the computer to have a man attempt a rebound, nor get into position for the ball near the hoop after long shot attempts.

NBA Live is never harsh, but it will punish you for impatience or recklessness. Defence is particularly strong, and with the aforementioned tendency for the game to prevent rebounds and precision control required for accurate shots, there is no easy solution for poor results but to spend time practising. Even thoughtless passing is easily intercepted (though well mixed with fumbles).

Icons appear under your own players to identify strengths in your team, including three-point accuracy, defensive dominance and speed. This is a great feature to have especially for those without much NBA knowledge. There is no such feature for computer opponents, however, leaving you to take your opponents at face value.

With the indoor and nighttime environments of NBA Live, the Xbox version does not stand out above the others graphically in the same way that a game like Madden NFL does over the PS2 version. Lighting effects seem similar, and frame rate is also roughly similar, which is to say perfectly smooth and by our estimates around 20 frames per second or so. Player models seem to be understandably more detailed on Xbox, and the mix of 3D and sprite-based spectators seems to have a few more of the latter in this version as well. The crowd still applauses with robotic synchronization, but that's about the only complaint we would level at it: the crowd's cheering and general sound effects maintain the feeling of the stadium game, and this is also supported by the broadcast-style commentary.

Commentary is provided by the new team of Marv Albert and Mike Fratello, and is generally well presented with authentic sounding lines and varied content that keeps up with the play without falling into the trap of repeating ad nauseum.

Camera options lack a decent side-one view, but this is negated by the standard of end-on options. We preferred the default angle, which zooms with the play and gives a good perspective from which to view the court and players, and especially to line up passes around would-be interceptors. Replays include full manual control of camera angle and movement, zoom and replay motion.

EA's Freestyle Control provides manual control of your arms with the ball. This allows you to better avoid steal attempts and pull of fakes and quick moves. Off Ball control lets you also control other players' movement with the right analogue stick to get players into position for the pass, while set plays can be called with a single button press and let you give general orders depending on your situation or intentions with the ball.

The ability to determine dunks or lay ups with separate button controls is more than a chance to put added variety into shooting; with the complex defensive structure and range of movement controls, shot control is particularly welcome. Stubborn alley-oops will result in offensive penalties, but used wisely, the move can be a game breaker as well as a crowd pleaser.

Overall, NBA Live 2004 is a big step up from last year and we would recommend the Xbox version to those that have the choice. The EA Sports Bio mode would be the only other factor that would determine our recommendation, since it utilises game saves from other EA Sports titles to track your progress and unlock rewards.