ESPN NBA 2K5

It��s not a complete fall from grace for ESPN NBA 2K5, but there��s definitely some slippage happening. NBA Live 2005 has not only caught up with my old favorite game of hoops, but also dribbled on past it.

ESPN��s problems take you out of the game and remind you that you��re not an NBA high flyer, but rather a guy sitting on a couch playing his PS2. For one, offensive players�� high-tops are laced with concrete��there��s a lot of standing around unless you call a play. And when players do finally move, you realize the passing system is a mess, as too often your pass won��t go to the player you want it to (unless you go to the trouble of icon passing, which takes time and can cost buckets). Another passing issue is that all the passes are line drives that are easy to pick off.

Rebounding is another headache. Grab a pillow for repeated punching because you��ll need it. You��ll hop up for a board, and it will just plain miss your hands. Unless you��ve put your guy in perfect position, expect to give up more offensive rebounds than a team of 9-year-olds.

There is good here, though, and plenty of it. The variety of shots trumps Live��s, and the franchise mode lets you chat one-on-one with your star players. And the price is so, so right.

If you like slower-paced, realistic hoops for less than half the price, ESPN will keep you happy. If you want amped-up gameplay with polish, NBA Live 2005��s got what you need.

PROS Great price, 24/7 mode feels like two games in one

CONS Poor passing, rebounding, and lazy players

VERDICT The spread is small, but Live wins over ESPN by a bucket

Pub. Sega Dev. Visual Concepts ESRB E MSRP $19.99

Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine.