Throwback: NBA Live 95

Man oh man. EA Sports did a number on me in the mid 90’s. The games they put out for FIFA, NHL, and NBA literally stayed locked in my Sega Genesis. My kid brother and I would play NHL ’94/’95 for hours on end trying to see how many goals we could score and how many players we could injure on each team. But in 1995 there was a seminal moment for Basketball in video games.

NBA Live ’95 came out, and a star was born. To this point arguably my favorite basketball video game was Jordan vs. Bird for NES. Looking back at that game, it was pretty awful, but hell the strange dunk contest thing was pretty cool. And who could forget the magnificent music that played during pretty much every event in the game. Obviously NBA Live had some precursors. Namely:

Lakers vs. Celtics (Only could use 8 teams)
Bulls vs. Lakers (MJ was actually in this game)
Team USA Basketball (Hilarious to kick France’s ass)
Bulls vs. Blazers (Custom teams was a major plus)

Then NBA Live hit the scene. You mean I can call plays? All 27 teams are available? I can speed up my players with a “turbo” button. Dunk at will with players who have no business dunking, in situations where dunking doesn't seem possible? You got it! Twas a big moment for me. I think I played that game until it broke. It even saved all of your info! My kid brother and I would play as the all star teams, and battle late into the night. I even vaguely remember trading Nick Anderson for Stacey Augmon (Not sure why). Even now 13 years later it still ranks as one of my favorite games of all time.

What you know about Litterial Green fool!?!