Logic dictates that if you have lots of money then by all accounts you can afford the best of everything, but in Electronic Arts' case, the billion dollar publisher is apparently content putting out total rush jobs that tarnish its name. Now I don't mind this as much when the company's off publishing Catwoman, but when it comes to basketball I take these insults personally, especially when one of its latest Xbox 360 titles, NBA Live 06, is retailing for the ridiculous MSRP of $59.99. Going shopping next week for that shiny new console you just bought? Then I advise you to pick up NBA 2K6 and leave NBA Live riding the pine.

I really should've expected this because NBA Live 06 for the Xbox is borderline trash, but the 360 version is even worse. What EA's done here is focus on all of the bells and whistles and not much else, so you if want a next generation videogame to dazzle your friends and family members then by all accounts pick up this game, but if you truly love basketball and the intricacies of the sport then prepare to be sharply slapped in the face. This is nothing more than a hollowed out shell of the best selling basketball series, developed to attract pure graphics whores and not much else.

Yes, the visuals are amazing. The majority of the players resemble their real life counterparts, all of their tattoos have been expertly crafted, you can see the veins in their arms, and sweat pours off their bodies. Actually, the entire game is a wonderful sight to behold and it's truly a crowning achievement in graphical design. I'm not going to act like an ass and tell you that you can barely tell the difference between this and the real thing, but I'm happy to report that we're on our way to photo realism...give or take another ten years. Even the crowd looks great, and the courts, well, hardwood has never gleamed so bright. This is definitely the type of game that you bust out whenever some idiot refers to the 360 as Xbox 1.5.