Who’s Taking The Crown: NBA Live 19 or NBA 2K19

NBA this year had to have had some of the most heartbreaking losses ever this playoff season. From witnessing Chris Paul’s game 5 injury and the Rockets streak coming to an end, to LeBron making magic happen as the Cavs made a remarkable semi-finals comeback only to be swept in the NBA Finals; Golden State made it look seamless. And if anyone spoke with Durant, Curry or a fan of the Warriors, it was all meant to be.

Gamers will be head to head this year as well as NBA Live 19 and NBA 2K19 will both release on September 7, 2018. I can see those reading this now laughing on both ends of the spectrum. NBA Live 19 is about to take this year and truly become “The One.” Others will simply smirk and say “Live is Trash.” But the proof is in the pudding of what each publisher delivered last year.

The Bumpy Road to 99

NBA 2K18 gave players “The Neighborhood.” It started off as eye candy as you had a newstand you could stop by, a barbershop for a fresh cut, a music studio, an NBA store and a Foot Locker for the latest gear. And that’s just a tease as the MyPark was completely revamped as players embarked on their Road to 99.

With amazing mechanics, beautiful graphics and a knack for giving the 2K community more to look forward to every year, there’s no reason to second guess what 2K19 will bring to the table. Or is there?

If there was anything that made people grind more than ever it had to be the amount of money put down on what was initially a $60 game. An NBA fan wanting to customize their player was looking at spending thousands of VC, which may have potentially led up to $100’s of dollars.

The second complaint you’d hear was the inaccurate shot meter that missed when full or even at times perfect green. We think of friend and content creator IPodKingCarter’s popular saying, “it was a green release.” But what do you say when the release means nothing anymore? The rants became memes and YouTubers moment in the 2K limelight.

NBA Live Making a Comeback

NBA Live has the right formula on paper, they just need to properly balance their chemicals to create the right solution. Everyone that played NBA Live 18’s “The One” couldn’t downplay how much fun and creative the concept was. From introducing you through Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman of First Take to having a partner in crime (similar to 2K’s MyCareer), the season was just as seamless with less hassles.

Your road to fame was simple, keep playing; keep leveling up. In the end it was the cheapest simulation, period. EA made sure to keep the content fresh by adding new shoes, gear and challenges through the season. You were even able to compete in challenges against popular content creators for a chance at unlocking exclusive loot crates.

And let’s not forget EA will always be known as the NBA game that first introduced the WNBA to video game consoles. Though probably only played so much, it still felt underrated in comparison to what it could have been, or may later become.

Complaints of NBA Live may be extremely long to an NBA 2K fan. Graphics aren’t nowhere near what they should be. YES, you’re right! Screenshots are amazing, but the transitions are what matter in the end. Live have limited animations every year which contributes to only being known as an arcade simulation rather than a realistic, life-like sim.

Also if you get to the paint “You’re On Fire!.” The is no “solid” defense when is comes down to getting inside the paint, which at times felt unfair to the player on defense. Sure you could get a block here and there, but it felt almost impossible considering players block percentile and in comparison to NBA 2K.

So What About NBA Live 19 and NBA 2K19

NBA Live is making a bold statement not only releasing the same day as NBA 2K19, but dropping a demo one week earlier than 2K on August 24, 2018. Even when considering EA Access, there’s still a 5-day gap on the full release.

I simply think back to the days where fans felt ecstatic to buy both NBA Live and 2K simply because they were both worth it in the end. Is this the true year of NBA Live’s comeback or is there a subliminal message hidden in Lebron’s 2K19 trailer? “How could they have known.”