Since nobody has posted their own in-depth take on it nor has ign or gamespot: i am gonna take initiative and hook y'all up. I have the x-box version, pc version and psp version of live. I have been playing the EA series since the Lakers vs Celtics. You should also take into consideration when reading this review that NBA live is my favourite game to play because of its replayability value and i am a fan of basketball. I am going to review this game comparing it to the console versions and pc version. I am suprised at how there are improvements over console version although there are also some downgrades.
Gameplay
plays pretty close to console.
+smooth animations
-Hiccups occasionally on replays.
-No gameplay sliders for psp only game speed adjustments. (does not give freedom to adjust the in-game settings)
Freestyle overlay is not displayed in-game.
There does not seem to be any superstar freestyle defense in the game.
Controls are with the analogue stick.
-No freestyle stick compared to other versions, which in my opinion is the gameplays biggest loss.
-crossovers are used with one button ( different crossovers can be used depending on the direction you direct it in)
+there is a backdown button (post-up button) better than holding down on freestyle stick
+button for box out and charging
freestyle buttons are the same
-too much turnovers with the freestyle superstar pass
-3 pointers are too easy to pull off
-on simulation no auto-subs were made ( have not tried action but on other threads supposedly more subs would be made)
Graphics
+menu graphics are better than console versions
-in-game graphics were slightly worse than ps2 graphics
+camera views are suprisingly good:press box view is better than consoles b/c the bottom is not cut-off akwardly like the ps2 and x-box versions. (i personally use this view)
+new broadcast view (decent view)
+center court view zoomed all the way out is not bad at all
+crowd seems more animated and 3d b/c of the psp capabilities
+dunk contest graphics seem better b/c of the jumbotron clarity
Sound
+all sounds in game are superior to the consoles
+The music in this game is top notch: sounds great on a psp: better than consoles
-commentary hiccups occasionally
Replay value
No franchise mode: bad real bad
+dunk contests and three point contests seem more addictive on psp
all star, rookie game all there
+*new* superstar challenge to unlock jerseys great mode:places you into a situation where you must achieve certain stats with a certain player
+season mode where you can keep track of your stats just like the consoles (injury simulations as well)
+online mode for those who have a wireless router and hadoc mode
Glitches
-on some menus (such as sign/release) changing between teams is slow
CONCLUSION
This game is great on the go if your a big fan of Nba Live or NBA. Best NBA game on psp. Pretty accurate port of console versions. Smooth gameplay. Good go by EA for the first PSP Live. Some downgrades and few upgrades compared to console (more downgrades than upgrades).
8.4/10