Both these games are coming out this week, so here's a thread to discuss your personal experiences with these games. I'm a well-known supporter of the 2K series, so I'll commence the inevitable pissing match with this informative picture.

after reading articles and the features on NBA live 06, I decided I am not going to pay 50 bucks for it. There is no really big upgrade from Live 06, other than you can dunk on people now...

I play on my computer, so I wish NBA 2k6 came out for PC this year. I probably would have made the change this time around because it would be something new.

Seeing as I have never played 2K before, but does it have something similar to Live's Freestyle Control with the right analog? I believe that is a must nowadays.

I heard the 2k6 the jerseys move with the players movement, kinda cool feature if you ask me.

I am the ying to Scott's yang. I've been a Live supporter since way back. Last year I actually bought both, as I had two different sytems. The robotic feel and IMO poor presentation were enough to convince me that EA is still the way to go. After hearing reviews on both, it seems that the 2K series has made nearly no improvements to the game this time around aside from supposed great graphics. I still don't like the arcadeness of the EA series, but they have toned it down and I'd have to say it is the superior game. And now, I must go to the nearest retailer and buy it rather than study for my midterm.

Wow where did you hear that? That's crazy.

nba live 2006 hands down. i played 2k5 at a friends house and it's too slow for me. I saw nba live 2006 at STAPLES 2 days ahead of it's release. Come on who the hell's going to buy it. Download the crap rather than spendin 39.99

Ummmm, me. I bought it today and it stayed in my xbox for the next 4 hours.

SO I've never played any of the 2k series but I've played Live '05 to death, just about (my starting five right now is Barbosa, Dunleavy Jr., Joe Johnson, Primoz Brezec and Mamadou N'diaye...and all are elite level players now in the hardest mode and I haven't lost a game in months). So I was wondering would I enjoy 2k6 since I'm soooo used to Live 05 (and 04 before it)? I mean, are they so different that it justifies my purchasing it?

Suffering, I think the main changes lie in (in order of importance):
1. graphics (all around)
2. gameplay modes --play as a shooter, highflyer (superior dunking), stopper (superior D), scorer, and playmaker (superior PG skills)

If you're a big faqn of Live 05, chances are you want be too big on the gameplay of 2K6. But then again I wouldnt go out and buy Live 06 either, because so far it seems like it's pretty much just a roster update. Not too much has been added to it.

if your too used to nba live 2005 then chances are you wont like nba 2k6 at all...an example would be me. i played nba 2005 and then played 2k5 at a friends house and did not like it at all...

so i played live 06 last night, and it's pretty ridiculous. the freestyle superstar thing is way too powerful... shaq is just an insane dunk machine, lebron can get about 500 steals in a game with 8 min quarters, in addition to being the sole offensive force... i like how they made guys like jermaine o'neal useful at scoring inside without dunking, but i think they seriously overpowered all this, in addition to toning down the blocking. the games can get pretty high scoring and insane, but maybe i just don't know how to play defense yet

no matter what though, it's still a million times better than a 2k game, those are so lame and unresponsive, i hate that series SO much

Handsome boy or grizz..since you both got the games before anyone else, I have a few questions that im curious to know the answers to:

1) Is the dunk competition any different from live 05? Are there new dunks or those old ones over again?

2) Are there new dunks in the game itself? Like you know in the actual 5 on 5 game? Are there like a lot of dunks that you could do or there a few only? Cuz i remember live 05 where i did not see that much variety unlike previous games like live 03.

3) IS the gameplay any faster than live 05?

Im downloading the game right now so i just wanted to know whether or not it's worth the download. I went to gamespot.com for reviews and shittt but those guys hate the live series so much they say everything negative about it.

there are insane amounts of new dunks in normal gameplay, so many it's actually a fault... downloading it to play on cpu, please tell me it's true

Are you sure you weren't playing "arcade mode". The difference between arcade mode and the other (simulation?) is that arcade mode is faster, less realistic (exaggerated), more non-realistic monster dunks, greater potential for blocks, steals, etc.

yes, ofcourse im downloading that sh*t bro. Ok, are there any new dunks in the dunk competition?? From the looks of things im definetly gettin live 06

2k6 just has that stupid lil 24/7 thing that they got the idea from streets

I rented NBA live 06 yesterday since 2k6 wasnt at the store. Anyway Live 2006 is not a big improvement over the last game, besides the newer rosters not much has changed in actuall game play and the AIs defense is pathetic even at the max level.

I held off on getting this game cause I wanted the newest versions for updated rosters (rookies, yay!). I think I've decided to go get 2k6. I believe it was 2k2 or 2k3 I played some years ago, and I liked it, so I figure what the hell? But here is your last chance to covince me otherwise.

I started a thread on this on the old board and basically what I am taking from all this discussion is that the live series has a more hard driving fast paced arcade intense (and unrealistic) style. Whereas the 2k series is more realistic, but maybe to the point where it can detract from creativity and you're less likely to replicate T-Mac tea-bagging Shawn Bradley (which does kill some of the fun). Let me know if this sounds right.

One other question. For someone who hasn't played video games since the days of Street fighter 2 and the 2D Mortal Combat series (with the brief exception of that 2k ball game a few years back), which of the two series will I find the handling less frustrating for?

I am also operating under the assumption that I can do drafts and trades in either game.

The realism in terms of gameplay was MUCH better last year for NBA Live 2005 (EA Sports). It was more defensive minded which was good. The handling was 10x better than any 2k series i've played. Hopefully Live 2006 continues that trend...

You're understanding is fairly accurate, although I tihnk most people have been overstating the arcadeness of Live. 2K6 comes off as too robotic, and I don't know about this year, but in 2K5, all you had to do was pro hop and drop it in the hoop every single basket. IMO, the presentation in live is far better than in the 2K series if that effects your decision making at all. As for controls, they both handle fairly similarily, and it won't take too much time to pick up either. I've heard the graphics are great in 2K6, but I can't vouch for that myself. In all honesty it really comes down to which type of game you prefer, so if you knew people who owned even earilier versions of both games i would suggest playing them both because, while there has been improvements in both games the if you liked an earlier incarnation of one of the games over the other, you'll probably feel the same way about the new ones.

And for whoever was asking, yes there are new dunks in both 5 on 5 and in the dunk comp. My only issue with Live: Bosh is an 83, while Howard is an 84. While Howards high rating can be attributed mostly to his high athleticism rankings, I still want Bosh higher.

Also shot blocking, defense and rebounding help Howard to be higher.

Live 06 is not a bad game, it needs slider edits to really play a simulation style, and the addition of more real playbooks is nice. You can play like a real basketball game for the most part, and the superstar moves are nice. It has a lot of annoyances though, the offensive rebounding, the sliding still being there, etc.

2K6 is more realistic out of the 2 in terms of gameplay, but has a learning curve due to the controls, it also has some problems, but overall is a more realistic game, and the AI is a lot smarter. I prefer 2K6 this year, last year, I would've ranked them the same, but Live went back a little in some areas.

i just got live and i have a lot of beefs with it. on computer with a logitech wingman corless controller, i haven't found a way to back down and post up like i've been able to do since the dawn of time in nba live. also, when your guys recieve a pass, they dribble so you can't pumpfake and cruise around... very annoying. also playing defense is ridiculous, superstar moves are way overpowered... the new animations are nice, but it feels much less responsive than in years prior... the pump fakes also blow ass this year... i'm just gonna stick to madden till mvp baseball comes out

why dont u try a keyboard. Im playing with a keyboard and it's ok so far. Also, did u buy the game or downloaded it? If downloaded was it the chinese version??

i'm never gonna play a sports game with a keyboard when i can play it with a dual analog controller... there are enough buttons to accomodate every control that an xbox can have (there are 4 triggers on the wingmans instead of 2 triggers and two sticks that you can press down), but you can't map the post up to anyhting, as far as i know, and i'm really pissed

Well I made my decision.

I went and purchased NBA 2K6. I'll probably start playing it later this week.

I was thinking I would do a few test runs just to see where the system selects certain players in drafts but I have a bit of an idea from talking to picnic, and I have devised something of my "dream team", that is apparently do-able. Thought I'd run it by people see what you all think:


Round 1. PG Gilbert Arenas

Basically what I wanted here was to get a really good PG that can pass, steal and is quick. Plus I wanted him later in the first round so that I can get my second rounder of choice (snake draft from what I hear), after his steller season last year Arenas is rated highly and seems like the appropriate choice.

Round 2. SG/SF Manu Ginobili

Speaks for itself and has the qualities I am looking for: 3-balls, steals, speed and can dunk. Basically he's not far off of the premium swingmen like T-Mac and Vince but I get him second round.

Round 3. SF/PF Josh Smith

I actually plan to play him as a PF. He can block, will have a great offense close to the basket and will be entirely too much fun to have on the fast break. Plus he compliments my C choice well.

Round 4. ???

I have a round to burn here. Who is around at this round?

Round 5. C Samuel Dalembert

Boards, blocks, a little clean-up O. I'm happy.


Also who are some nice reserves? I was thinking a few names like Sweetney, Korver, Eddie Griffin, Speedy Claxton.

i'm not too familiar with the gameplay of the 2k series, but in nba live, for my crappier bench players, i tried to get one dimensional guys that could do one thing really well and are athletic. a backup shot blocker or two and a bunch of shooters at every position to just pump three pointers. if you could somehow find a functional low post scorer for your second unit, that would be nice. i used to use primoz brezec and surround him with shooters for an inside-out game. i'm not sure how any of this translates to the 2k series, the only thing i remember is derek fisher doing under the leg dunks in about 2k2 or so

In live, PF's like Darko, Biedrins, and Joe Smith friggin' rule, so you might wanna look at them. I mean, Smith and Darko block EVERYTHING and Biedrins is an incredible defender and posterizer!
But that's live, and I've never played 2k...

Yes, specialized one dimensional players are exactly what one wants (I remember this much from NBA 2K3), that's why I was looking at Korver to shoot 3's, Griffin to shoot 3's and block, and Speedy for being quick and stealing. Well rounded but inferior (compared to all-stars) bench players come off as just that, inferior - better to go with someone who does at least one thing with the best of them. I think more than a low-post offensive game, I just need a rebounder off the bench especially if I'm gonna play Josh at PF. Sweetney seems to have decent rebounding ratings and his offensive abilities look serviceable.




I wish. I would love to draft Biedrins as a rotation big off the bench, but unfortunately the 2K series designers just don't seem to be that high on him, so he is rated really crap.

It's actually often sportswriters and the like who collaborate on the ratings.

I've been playing Live 2006 for a few weeks now...and its more chaotic than Live 2005. Plus how come they haven't updated the Pacers' jerseys that they just revealed?

Global sliders suck at Live 2006 ..u have to play alot and find the best setting. Waaay too many steals and fast breaks going on!

ya, i felt like i had a lot less control of the game and with the change in how you post up, it's really difficult to play the ball control kind of game i'm used to. i used to run a really conservative post up based offense with kick outs for threes but now you can't do that at all

I thought writers generally like Biedrins's potential, and last year for a 12 year old from another country, he played pretty well, notching up a couple of double-doubles and impressing people (like me).

Really depends on who they get to do their rankings too. I mean if the got ford in there Darko would be a 99. So it depends on what team of guys they have in ther making the rankings.

Post ups!!! Does anyone know how to do post ups in live 06?? I need help! I cant even do them plus they dont have a special key in the "controller remap " section. HELP PLEASE!!!!!

you gotta move the right trigger in the down direction, i don't mean press it down, i mean aim it down and hold it... it's terrible, one of the reasons i don't play the game

Live > 2k.

What he said.

Always and forever brother. I seriously believe it's not even close between Live and 2K after having played both games, they brought back the game engine they used in 2004 which was very effective and quickly got rid of the blunder that was Live 2005. The only thing I don't understand about Live 2006 is how Rafael Araujo has a 63 rating.

I just got Live 2005, anyone else having problems after burning to two cd's where when you go to play the game, the main title image (NBA Live 2006) just hangs there? The game doesn't start, with either cd in the dvdrom. I burned it with alcohol 120% too.. no idea what safedisc 2/3 is, but i enabled something called RMP protection beforehand...

So I drafted my invincible team in 30 team "Association" mode (franchise) as the Grizzlies (love the unis).

C - Yao

PF - Eddie Griffin

SF - Marquis Daniels

SG - Corey Maggette

PG - Joe Johnson

Off my bench I have Dalembert, Duhon, Josh Smith, Varejao and Andersen. I have just been smoking teams on "rookie" mode. Yao is unstoppable and JJ just shuts down opposing point G's. I need to increase the difficulty now.

I passed on Etan Thomas for Fortson because I got fixated on his 99 off reb. stat. I am now desparately trying to correct that error.

99? What does that even mean? He gets every offensive rebound ever, or at least 99 out of a 100 per game? Jesus....

*edit.. whups, double post.

Ummm, no. It means he has the highest rating possible, so he will be better at it than any other player. Were you serious or am I not getting the joke?

most new games, you'll have to mount the cd image with daemon tools because burned cd's just don't bypass the copy protection these days.. not that i'd know anything about any of that

Yea exactly what handsome boy said. Get daemon tools. I downloaded nba live 2005 and 06 and just used daemon tools to play the game. I have a burnt copy of live 05 which has the same problem as yours so i simply mount the image using daemon. Theres a program called NERO which my friend tells me fixes all problems. Im not sure if it does or not but you cant try downloading nero as well.

I managed to pull some killer deals and heres my starting line up:

C - Bosh (has missed 9 games out of 25 with injury)

PF- Amare Stoudamire

SF- Tim Thomas

SG - LeBron James

PG- Dwayne Wade

off the bench i have Shawn bradley ( pretty good. Try him), Keith Van Horn, Etan Thomas (sucks), Jahidi White.

My Live 06 lineup (Raps)

C - Kurt Thomas
PF - Chris Bosh
SF - Joey Graham
SG - Jalen Rose
PG - Derek Fisher

Bench is CV, Cal, Eric, Alvin, Aaron, Steven Hunter, Zaza Pachulia, Bonner, Maiciej Lampe, and Mike James.

The problem with Superstar in Live 06 is that it's mapped right to the post up button, which I use a lot. I never remember to hold down the right analog down. This hinders my backdown/kickout offence greatly, as well as my low post iso. And since the Raps have no super swingman, I can't use my perimeter iso as well as I should (pass ball to star, call iso, jab step, drive in). I try, but Jalen Rose and Derek Fisher aren't exactly built for that play.

If it were up to me, they should use 2K6's Isomotion (hold down R1 and use the left analog stick for turbo and crossover) and map Freestyle Superstar to the right analog. Perfect controls right there.

i hate how they changed the post up deal. i used to be all about posting up and now i don't really even play nba just because of how the controls are now

yo fgrep, how did you update Diaw in your Live 2006? I can't seem to get his ratings right.

I just got live '06, I gotta say, I much prefer 2k6, plus I managed to draft the next David Robinson...here's hoping life imitates (my) video game luck.

Incidentally, to whomever asked about my 99 rating thing, yes I was joking.