NBA Live 2002

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NBA Live 2002
Nba2002box.jpg
NBA Live 2002 cover art.
Developer(s) EA Sports
Publisher(s) EA Sports
Series NBA Live
Platform(s) Playstation, Playstation 2, Xbox
Release date(s) PS2, Xbox
October 30th, 2001
Playstation
October 31st, 2001

NBA Live 2002 (also known as NBA 2002 or Live 2002 and stylised as NBA LIVE 2002) is the eighth instalment in the NBA Live series, released in North America on October 30th, 2001 for the Playstation 2, the original Playstation a day later on October 31st and the Xbox version on November 30th. Steve Francis was featured as its cover player, though the Japanese release featured Michael Jordan in his new Washington Wizards uniform. NBA Live 2002 was the first game in the NBA Live series not to be released for the PC. It is the direct sequel to NBA Live 2001 and was followed by NBA Live 2003.

Summary

NBA Live 2002 is EA Sports' NBA release for the 2001/2002 NBA season. The game proved to be another controversial release as it was the first game in the series to be a console only release, which combined with the issues in NBA Live 2001 and lack of an official update caused an uproar in the NBA Live Community. A few of those issues were unresolved in NBA Live 2002 which caused further angst amongst fans who had bought the game for the Playstation, Playstation 2 or Xbox.

Lack of a PC version

The decision not to release the game for the PC was met with great disappointment by many fans in the community. No official reason was ever given for the decision although it is thought the decision was made due to place more focus on the console versions due to competition from Take Two and Microsoft, both of whom released NBA video games for the 2001/2002 season, as well as increased popularity of the console versions of NBA Live.

A supposed PC version was circulated via peer-to-peer networks after the release of NBA Live 2002, however it was actually a pirated copy of NBA Live 2001 packaged with a roster update and other community made patches.

Noteworthy Facts

  • The first NBA Live not to be released on the PC. On April 8th 2008, it was announced that there would be no PC version of NBA Live 09 and NBA Live 10 will also be a console only release.
  • Michael Jordan's first (official) appearance in the series as an active player. He also appears on the Japanese cover.
  • The first game since NBA Live 95 that did not allow users to trade a player for an empty roster slot.

PlayStation 2 Screenshots

Links






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