Review
Basketball games for the Super Nintendo haven't exactly been the fastest things on Earth, nor have they offered responsive control and fluid animation. Whatever your preconceptions may be, you can throw them out the window along with your other hoops titles: NBA Live 95 is hands-down the best basketball game for the system (as of 1994).
The engine has completely changed since NBA Showdown. Gone is the horizontal perspective that made it difficult to see who exactly was open, and in its place we find a three-quarter view as seen in FIFA International Soccer. This allows for a clean, uncluttered look at the basket to make rebounding and blocking shots much easier. You can also clearly see the players and notice different heights and individual characteristics. Some players wear goggles, some have crew cuts, while others have facial hair. They are also rated in sixteen different skill categories and have visible jersey numbers.
Yet the most amazing thing is that the game plays like a bandit, with none of the choppiness or slowdown plaguing earlier sports games on the system. There is even a turbo button that will make exploding to the hoop a beautiful experience. Control is also top-notch, with players calling for the ball and performing alley oops, passing while in mid-air, and making fadeaway jumpers like the pros that they are.
There are a few issues keeping this game from being a slam dunk, however. NBA Live 95 definitely leans toward an arcade-like experience. Shooting percentages are very high, the blistering pace cannot be slowed down a few notches, and the turbo feature gives this game an almost NBA Jam feel. Statistics are not tracked for your team--only league leaders--and you can only trade for starters, so you have to learn to live with your bench players. A create-player option would have been nice too. Yet NBA Live 95 is such a fantastic playing game that these criticisms seem like nit-picking. It is simply one of the elite sports games available for the Super Nintendo. Hoopsters rejoice!
Graphics 
The players look great and animate smoothly. Nice touches include the different logos and floor patterns for each court. The TV-style presentation updates your team's or individual player's statistics during the game with an overlay at the bottom of the screen. You can also have your dunks appear in slow-motion as you drive to the basket.
Sound
Wow! The opening theme will get you groovin' and the swish of the net is perfect. Squeaky sneakers never sounded so nice.
Enjoyment
I can't imagine anyone not enjoying this game when they first pick it up. Simulation fans will probably be disappointed by the fast-paced action.
Replay Value
The game offers a complete season and support for up to five players. The computer opponent doesn't put up much of a fight on the lesser difficulty levels, so you need to put it on All-Star for some competition.
Documentation
The instructions are detailed and explain each option and feature very well.
