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NBA Live 97
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NBA Live 97 (Europe)

Super Nintendo (SNES)
🇬🇧
Reviewed in
1996
74
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✪ Reviewed on December 22, 2025
66

A fuller NBA Live 97, the last of its line on SNES at the dawn of the next gen. Solid though outclassed on PSone.

Your verdict
Category
Sports 4 players 3+
Description
Official NBA basketball simulation for the 1996-97 season with updated rosters. Published by EA Sports, released in Europe in 1996. 1996-97 season teams and players, improved basketball mechanics and season and exhibition modes. Third NBA Live on Super Nintendo.

NBA Live 97 review

3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Decent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Easy"
Lifespan
"Long"
Technical info
💾1 MB 📅30/11/1996
Published by Electronic Arts

NBA Live 97 (SNES) price, value & rarity

Notable
Q1 loose
 $7 Q6 complete
 $24 Q10 new
 $128 !
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Other versions
NBA Live 97
USA
30/11/1996
🇬🇧

Is NBA Live 97 still worth playing in 2026?

NBA Live 97 marks the peak of the EA formula on the Super Nintendo, just before the PlayStation took over. The controls feel smoother, the 1996-97 rosters are faithful, and the match pace still holds up in multiplayer. The technical side shows its age, though, and any modern sim outclasses it across the board. For someone curious about retro sports or a nostalgic player, it delivers a solid, readable game that remains genuinely fun with friends on the couch.

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