NBA Live 99

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NBA Live 99
Nba99box.jpg
NBA Live 99 cover art.
Developer(s) EA Sports
Publisher(s) EA Sports
Series NBA Live
Platform(s) Windows, Nintendo 64, Playstation
Release date(s) Nintendo 64
November 4th, 1998
Playstation
November 6th, 1998
Windows
November 10th, 1998
System requirements Minimum:
  • Windows 95/98
  • 166 MHz Intel Pentium/Cyrix 6x86/AMD K6 Processor
  • 32 MB RAM
  • 4x CD-ROM/DVD Drive
  • 90 MB HD space
  • 2 MB PCI or AGP video card with DirectDraw compatible driver

NBA Live 99 (also known as NBA 99 or Live 99 and stylised as NBA LIVE 99) is the fifth instalment in the NBA Live series, released in North America on November 10th, 1998 for the PC with the original Playstation version being released on November 6th and the Nintendo 64 version on November 4th. Antoine Walker was featured as its cover player. It is the direct sequel to NBA Live 98 and was followed by NBA Live 2000.

Summary[edit]

NBA Live 99 is EA Sports' NBA release for the 1998/1999 NBA season. One of the major additions in NBA Live 99 was multi-season play featuring player development between seasons, Although it did not feature free agency or generated rookies, it would turn out to be the forerunner to Franchise Mode. NBA Live 99 shipped with 1997/1998 season rosters due to the NBA Lockout of 1998/1999 putting a hold on player movements and rookie signings during the summer of 1998. Some prominent bugs led to the NLSC submitting a patch petition to EA Sports which resulted in two official patches which included roster updates for the 98/99 season.

As NBA Live 99 kept the same file formats as NBA Live 98, patchers were able to produce the same wide variety of patches using an updated version of the EA Graphics Editor and the NBA Live 99 Toolkit.

Official Features List[edit]

LIVE Hoops

  • Fresh new moves, including jab steps, fake passes and aggressive rebounding, plus high-flying new dunks.
  • Real NBA stats, real NBA players, real NBA moves.
  • Create a dynasty with new multiple seasons - players evolve over time.
  • Enhanced GM mode with full NBA draft and realistic computer trading.

LIVE Technology

  • New Sports Ticker via the Internet - check NBA scores as you play.
  • Unreal 3D graphics with real-time lighting and hundreds of animations.
  • Unbelievable player detail, including fully modeled heads and facial animations.

LIVE Style

  • New Pro-Action AI includes smarter, more realistic player reactions.
  • TV presentation - moving cameras focus on player highlights.
  • New enhanced Play-by-Play and Color Commentary.

Differences Between The Versions[edit]

The Nintendo 64 version is actually an updated port of NBA Live 98, and not the same as the PC and Playstation. The PC and Playstation versions also featured a bug, out of the box, where players did not fatigue properly. While the PC version recieved a patch, it is unknown if, but highly unlikely, the Playstation version was fixed in later production versions.

Noteworthy Facts[edit]

  • Despite being a popular instalment in the series, Antoine Walker was an unpopular choice for cover player. In a 2007 poll in the NLSC Forum, NBA Live 99's cover was selected as the least favourite amongst fans.
  • Due to the NBA lockout, NBA Live 99 featured final 1997/1998 rosters rather than early 1998/1999 rosters featuring the draft class of 1998. EA Sports released two official patches, the first updating the rosters, adding the 50 game schedule and addressing several gameplay issues while the second served as a midseason roster update.
  • Prior to the official roster update, Michael Jordan was once again represented by a "Roster Player".
  • The first NBA Live released for the Nintendo 64.
  • Multi-season play and Practice Mode were introduced in NBA Live 99.

PC Screenshots[edit]

Links[edit]







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NBA Live 98
NBA Live Next:
NBA Live 2000