I'm not one of those people who believe that graphics make the game; you just have to look at the original Grand Theft Auto to know what I'm talking about. Therefore I am faced with a big dilemma, because in this review I have to rethink my entire philosophy about how graphics can affect gameplay - and along with this dilemma, I am contemplating divorcing a basketball series I have known and loved for just under a decade.

You see, in 2004 there was a big overhaul of the NBA Live series and the graphics were very impressive, with players truly resembling their fleshier real-life counterparts, along with amazing reflection effects on the basketball courts. Unfortunately, I'm not reviewing that now older yet physically fitter athlete who has been forced to retire, but instead NBA Live 06, the latest iteration. My remark about graphics relates to my losing faith in the series, as it has taken a huge step back in terms of its look. On close-up replays the graphics look nice enough and there is nothing to complain about. However, from the views that you will use during gameplay (which are far more important) the edges of players look jagged, their faces don't look as much like the real person any more and the courts look unspectacular.

These are all things they have made look good in the past, so why does it suck so much now? I have a theory: to sell more units of the Xbox 360 version they have made the graphics for the current-gen versions about as impressive as baked beans, and twice as sloppy. Have you seen the 360 version? It looks awesome, and if I were to review that I'm sure it would be a very different review. I'm dribbling on my keyboard just thinking about those graphics - but now I've fallen back into a state of depression, because I paid £35 pounds for baked beans.

Paying full price is not the only reason why I won't be using this game as a coaster, because the gameplay is actually very crisp and it closely simulates the sport. All the movements are smooth, utilising motion-capture for realistic momentum with each action the player performs. This goes hand-in-hand with the controller setup, which allows you to select exactly which player you want to pass to and exactly which moves you want to perform. You can also switch to a player who does not possess the ball when you are on offence; such gameplay features give you more freedom to make satisfying plays.

The trick-stick function, which is now used widely across all EA sports games, makes a welcome return here. This allows you to perform dribble moves by moving the right analogue stick and it varies on how fluid your thumb motions are, rather than being one quick jolting motion (like in NBA Street V3). Since the last overhaul of the series in 2004, you can also choose whether you dunk/layup or shoot near to the basket, because they are separate buttons. Previously this would depend on whether you were running to the basket or not, but this meant it would be predictable what you were going to do close to the basket and made blocking shots as easy as giving candy to a baby (I'm sure giving candy to a baby is far easier than taking it!) The new button configuration is much better and it is a feature that the NBA Street series needs to borrow in its next offering.

The gamemodes in NBA Live 06 are much the same as they were before, but having said that it is hard to think what else they can add. The new additions from last year of the slam dunk contest and the three-point challenge are still here and they are great for a quick bash of the controller if you don't have time for an exhibition match.

If you do have a lot of time on your hands then there is always the franchise mode, which gives you the chance to play the role of the general manager, as well hitting the courts. In this mode you can do pretty much anything - trade players, release players, sign rookies in the draft, train them and even create them. It's even realistic enough to include the NBA salary cap that limits the richer teams from buying all the best players, and I can't pretend that I even fully understand it. The best part about the franchise mode is that players improve or worsen over time, depending on how often you use them and how well you train them. Furthermore, if you never use a player on the court and keep them on the bench they are unlikely to want to re-sign with you once their contract expires - so if you make them grab the pine, prepare to see them whine.

The season mode is a little more laid back; you can just play the games that are scheduled and not worry about whether the players are happy or not. However, you can still trade players and they can still get injured (if you have it enabled in the season options), which maintains an element of realism without being time consuming.

There are no arguments about the music within the game either. Being a Hip Hop head means I'm fully catered for with many new tracks and even some exclusive ones with basketball-orientated lyrics. This may frustrate gamers who like a wider variety of music, but I suppose the developers are trying to satisfy the majority of people who fully absorb the basketball culture and it is they who this game is aimed at. The sound effects are greatly atmospheric; turn the sound up to hear every sneaker squeak and rim-bending dunk. You may even hear encouragement from your team-mates on the bench and some cheers and boos from the crowd as appropriate.

So why has a game with so many brilliant features, crisp gameplay and an entertaining soundtrack only received a score of 7/10? Well, it's because the NBA Live series has failed to do anything particularly new since the 2004 version and if you ignore the action replays, the graphics look far worse. Although the gameplay and game modes are accurate simulations, they seem to lack the excitement of its rawer EA Big brother, NBA Street V3. The lack of online play isn't doing the game any favours, either.

I'm a big fan of playing basketball and I am useless at football - but in the gaming world I would much rather play Pro Evo 5 than NBA Live 06. It's a decent attempt, but it lacks what it used to have, and if you own the 2004 or 2005 version then just stick with them and trade the appropriate players to the correct teams (although it may take some time to do this, it will save you a quiet a few pennies and a lot of disappointment.) What I really want to see is the Pro Evo equivalent of basketball games - soon, please!

Reviewed by Liam Bennion for AceGamez (All Rights Reserved).