It will be quite interesting to see how the first nba live for the Wii compares to first gen EA Sports titles such as Madden (kinda ok) and Tiger Woods (sucky). I'm just worried that since EA Sports is pushing of a more arcade like experience on the Wii, simulation players may be turned off by this version. Time will tell if what it lacks in sim power, it makes up with more Wii specific features such as Mii integration and the use of wiimote controls.

In general, we'd compare this year's NBA Live offering to last year's Madden effort on Wii, as EA has a few solid ideas to work with, but it isn't necessarily as polished or in-depth as it could be. Don't get us wrong, NBA Live is a solid first basketball game on Wii, and if this early playthrough is any indication NBA should be more along the lines of Madden quality, and less along the lines of the lesser Tiger Woods effort, as it looks, plays, and acts like a true Wii conversion of an already booming franchise. Along with the other titles this year, NBA Live will include family play, full Mii integration, and a party mode for mini-game goodness.

read the full preview here