Thankfully the latest version of NBA Live doesn't suffer the painful loading times of FIFA 2004. The initial load is over before you really take notice and before you know it you are lead into the world of NBA Live 2004. First things first though, there are a LOT of menus. Play Now, Game Modes and Dynasty Modes are where you will find most of your game time. Also found on the main menu screen is the newly added EA Sports feature found in all the 2004 sequels: My NBA Live, which shows you your latest achievements and how much time you've spent in each of the EA Sports titles. This is also what unlocks new features if you have other EA Sports titles saved on your memory cards. Something that really sets in stone that you are about to play a relatively harder version of basketball are the added videos you can watch that showcase how to use the Freestyle control system to its potential. And the Freestyle mode definitely makes the game. There is no way you could win a game without using the C-stick for all the faking and stealing. In fact you have full control of ball in hand with the C-Stick at all times. And there's the Off the Ball control which allows you to select a player further up court. Simply hit the Z button and the corresponding button (which can be viewed hovering above the players head). Sure you don't NEED to use it, but you would be lost without it. As with every NBA Live game thus far you have your exhibition matches, season, playoffs, practise and 1 on 1 option.

Dynasty Mode: This seems to be the flesh and bones of this edition of NBA Live. This is where the ultimate control freak will sit down and lavish everything that EA Sports has given them power to do (now with added cutscenes). Training camp is where it begins and this is where you can improve your player's abilities before they start their new season with you as their manager. Set who you want to train and what you want them to train with and sit back and watch a small cutscene of your players practicing. You have control over which coaches you want working with your team, signing and resigning of players and of course trades. You have set tasks to achieve and when you achieve these you get Dynsaty points which can be used to sign new players and a slew of other things.

Another nice addition to the series is the NBA Store. This is where you can purchase some pretty snazzy NBA gear and old school uniforms for teams with the points you earn by achieving specfic goals and achievements whilst playing any game. Items can then be used when creating new players or selecting home/away kits.

Graphically everything moves so realistically, and this is mainly due to the fact that EA Sports forked out the dosh to utilise the first ever 10 man motion capture which makes every move look like its right off a court.... because it really is. Now if only the models were made from a higher polygon count. They just don't look as smooth and as realsitic as the motion given to them. But considering they look a heap better than last years attempt we can only expect next years to be a vast improvement. Also it is nice to see that the Live team have gone to the trouble of adding jerseys hanging from rafters and championship banners. One thing that really stood out graphically is the lighting seen on the player models through introductions. Gives that extra sense of realism to an already extravagant looking game.

Marv Albert and Mike Fratello are the commentators this year, and while being a tad too repetitive they certainly get the job done. The soundtrack is exactly what one would expect to hear in a Basketball game and EA Trax makes a welcome return. Sound effects have pretty much been perfected and when all of this comes to you through Dolby Pro Logic II it really sets the scene.