History of NBA Live in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 12, 2026

NBA Live is a basketball video game series published by EA Sports, succeeding the NBA Playoffs and NBA Showdown series. Debuting in 1994, it offered a virtual NBA experience. While popular for a time, the series eventually faced competition from other basketball games and was replaced by the NBA Live series.

1989: Release of Lakers vs. Celtics for MS-DOS

In 1989, Lakers vs. Celtics, the predecessor to the NBA Live series, was released for MS-DOS-compatible PCs. It was one of the first games to feature an NBA license, including real NBA teams, player likenesses, and signature moves.

1990: Lakers vs. Celtics adapted for Sega Mega Drive

In 1990, the game Lakers vs. Celtics, originally released for MS-DOS in 1989, was adapted for consoles, specifically the Sega Mega Drive.

1992: Releases of Bulls vs. Lakers and Bulls vs. Blazers

In 1992, Bulls vs. Lakers was released, followed by Bulls vs. Blazers in the same year. Also, Team USA Basketball was released as an Olympic basketball spinoff game using the same engine.

1994: NBA Live series debut

In 1994, the NBA Live series of basketball video games debuted, published by EA Sports, succeeding the NBA Playoffs and NBA Showdown series.

1994: Release of NBA Live 95

In the fall of 1994, the annual EA basketball release was titled NBA Live 95, establishing a naming pattern that used the forthcoming year.

1995: Create-A-Player feature not available in 1995 versions

In 1995, the Create-A-Player feature was not available in the initial versions of the game.

1999: Inception of NBA 2K series

Since its inception in 1999, NBA 2K sold 37.24 million copies.

2000: Adoption of four-digit year in title

Starting in 2000, the NBA Live series began using all four digits of the year in its title, a pattern that continued until 2005.

2000: Introduction of NBA Live Legend All-Stars Teams

Starting in NBA Live 2000, the series featured NBA Live Legend All-Stars Teams from the 50s to the 90s, which needed to be unlocked to use players as regular players.

2001: Start of sixth generation production with NBA Live 2001

In 2001, sixth generation production of the NBA Live series started with NBA Live 2001 and continued through NBA Live 2009 on the PlayStation 2.

2004: Michael Jordan removed due to licensing

By 2004, Michael Jordan was on the '90s team through before being removed due to licensing in later versions of NBA Live.

2005: Addition of Freestyle Air and NBA All-Star Weekend

In 2005, NBA Live 2005 introduced the Freestyle Air, NBA All-Star Weekend, which includes the Rookie Challenge, Three Point Shootout, Slam Dunk Contest, and the NBA All-Star Game, and Freestyle Challenge.

2005: NBA Live Title

In 2005, the NBA Live series used the four-digit year in its title for the final time.

2009: End of sixth generation production with NBA Live 2009

In 2009, sixth generation production of the NBA Live series ended with NBA Live 2009 on the PlayStation 2.

November 2010: Development Moved to Tiburon Studio

In November 2010, the development of the NBA Live franchise was moved from EA Canada studio to Florida-based Tiburon studio.

September 27, 2012: Cancellation of NBA Live 13

On September 27, 2012, EA announced that they would cancel the release of NBA Live 13.

November 2013: Release of NBA Live 14

In November 2013, the NBA Live series returned after a three-year hiatus with the release of NBA Live 14.

2013: Release of NBA Live 14

In 2013, NBA Live 14 was released after the cancellation of NBA Elite 11 and NBA Live 13.

September 29, 2015: Release of NBA Live 16

On September 29, 2015, NBA Live 16 was released.

July 6, 2016: Release of NBA Live Mobile

On July 6, 2016, NBA Live Mobile was released, primarily used to play Ultimate Team modes in the game.

September 15, 2017: Release of NBA Live 18

On September 15, 2017, NBA Live 18 was released, featuring players from the WNBA and adding a new single-player mode called The One.

September 7, 2018: Release of NBA Live 19

On September 7, 2018, NBA Live 19 was released, expanding on The One and adding the ability to make a female player, as well as other game modes.

2018: Release of NBA Live 19

In 2018, NBA Live 19 was released as the latest installment in the series.

2023: NBA Live Series on Hiatus

As of 2023, the NBA Live series is in an indefinite hiatus, with no official confirmation from EA about its continuation after the cancellations of NBA Live 20 and NBA Live 21.