i liked live last year except for players stopping on fast breaks and presentation was kind of weak. 2k games, nice graphics but poor gameplay. players move like robots and seems stiff. i am probably getting live since i enjoyed the last one.

I havent owned an NBA game in a long time and now i only play PC games so im kinda tempted to get Live this year because the previews on it look really good and hopefully theyve fixed some of the things that stopped me from buying the last 5 or so versions

Worries me though that theres no demo yet since they had them for both NHL06 and Fifa06.

Players stopping on fast breaks isn't poor gameplay?

I've always prefered the 2K basketball series, but with all the changes this year I don't know if its guaranteed to be better.

Ok, I'll bite... what changes?

Also, do we know how much each will be? I've seen preorder prices from 20 to 40 on ESPN and 40 to 50 on Live.

I'm probably biased from playing it more over the past five years or so, but I really prefer 2K. Graphics are usually much better. And I tried Live this past year, but it was still too floaty, the move stick made everything a one-on-one game (admittedly, the real NBA is getting close to this anyway), though the slam dunk contest was pretty cool.

I'm waiting for the reviews of the 360 versions of the basketball games. I'm done with the current generation versions.

Yeah, I saw some screenshots of NBA Live06 for X360 and they looked GREAT. I'm pretty much done with this generation also. I still have like 13 games pre-ordered at GameRush...so once those are done, time for 360 games (and a few PSP)

The Live series still has too much of an arcade feel to me. I thought 2K5 was very well done last year. I'll stick with that series. Hopefully they change the price to $20, it's $39.99 on gamestop's site right now .

Anyone notice that only Miami Heat players are represented on the covers of both titles? Shaq is on 2K6 and Dwayne Wade is on Live.

I second that. Live has always been more arcadey, while 2K has been more simulation. It all depends on your preference. I prefer sim, so I pick 2K. I feel the same with the football and hockey. But no more football, and I will not buy Madden.

IGN has an article on it. They are putting in a new control scheme for the 2K series this year. Sounds cool, but until you get to play it you never know for sure if you will like it.

http://ps2.ign.com/articles/637/637850p1.html

I hated how in 2K5 you couldn't see salaries on the trading screen. I hope they changed that.

Okay, just noticed and watched the demo for Live on Madden... I don't know, the graphics still don't look that great to me...

the gameplay in 2k is annoying. they throw passes over their head even when two players are standing next to each other. unrealistic one hand alleyoops, steal cheat where you block with your body, players standing around, etc.

I don't think it's near as bad as Live's gameplay:

"fast break...dunk!".............."fast break....dunk!"................"fast break....dunk!"

NBA 2K gets better every year. The passing game is good (overhead passes? try holding down the passing button or double tapping or icon passing). I wanted lead passing and look, it's included this year. NBA Live-two shot buttons? WTF? 2K by far. Go Spurs.

Eh, I actually kinda liked the separate dunk button on Live...

I've always preferred 2K over Live.

Anyone have any good reviews/opinions of NBA Live 06 for PSP?

I just got 2K6, and the new controls are really hard to get used to. It seems you have more control, but it's very awkward. Guess just need some time to get used to.

V-ism... is it awkward because they changed the system, or because you're not used to the 2K series? Just wondering. I always lean towards 2K, but I'm up in the air this year... plus 2K's on sale for 10 bucks less. I do miss the $20 price...

I guess I'm still going to wait...especially with "normal" prices now. 360 is less than 2-months away. I preordered Live06 for PSP for $30 anyways.....

So is the PSP one actually going to retail for 50? Because I believe the console version of Live is only 40...

Well, I know ea.store.com had the PSP version for $39.99 (I had a $15 coupon, so it was $25 + $5.99 shipping)

I think EA sells all their PSP games for $50....I still DON'T follow that logic.

Well, their games sell, and as long as they continue to do so I guess I can understand why they do it... but if the portable, inferior version is MORE than the superior console version, that I don't understand. If Live bucks the trend and comes in at a more reasonable 40, than that's great news (though it also means I won't be preordering it with the Gamerush deal).

I've always played the 2K series, and this year they changed the control system quite a bit. I'm sure you can look up reviews to get details, but some of them are the right thumbstick is used for shooting/dunking on offense and stealing/blocking on defense, two pass buttons, and giving commands to players off the ball (which is cool).