NBA Live 97
π 7.2/10
(Sega Saturn - US, Basketball)
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Complete
$12.00
Loose $8.00
Developed by:
Realtime Associates
Published by:
Tec Toy
Released On:
01 Nov 1996
Also available on:
NBA Live 97 is a basketball game with an emphasis on realism. You can choose from all of the NBA teams , create a team with players you create yourself, or choose a team formed by the All-Star players of the east or west coasts. When you create a player yourself you can customize the player to a high degree. There are over 60 offensive and 10 defensive set-ups. Match options include an exhibition match, a whole season or the playoffs.
The gameplay is fast-paced and intense, with realistic movements and collisions between players. The game also features authentic NBA sound effects and commentary, adding to the overall realism of the game. You can control your team on both the offensive and defensive sides of the court, making strategic decisions about when to shoot or block shots.
UPC-A:
014633077292 (United States)
ISBN-10:
078450783X (United States)
eBay Product ID:
4174 (United States)
EAN-13:
7891196193644 (Brazil)
ASIN:
B00002STWE (United States)
Sega Region Code:
T-5015H (United States)
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Number of Players Supported:
1-10 Players
Miscellaneous Attributes:
6-player Adapter
Prices as of 30 Jul 2026
Typical $12.00β$12.00 (last 90 days)
New
Complete
Loose
Box
Manual
Smoothed
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Market activity: active Β· about 16 sales a year
Activity is a 12-month sales count. Dashed segments rest on two sales a year or fewer.
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
Controls
Left SHIFT
Turbo mode (burst of speed)
Right SHIFT
Turbo mode (burst of speed); move normally again when stationary in low post
D-Pad
Move player
START
Pause game; Continue/accept changes; Return to previous menu (in some contexts); Play next game (in Playoff Tree); Exit user setup
A
Shoot (press to jump; release to shoot); Attempt steal; Toggle double-teaming on highlighted matchup
B
Pass (D-Pad to choose receiver); Switch players (D-Pad to choose Player); Select highlighted option; Toggle between home/visitor teams
C
Crossover dribble; Jump/Rebound/Tip-in; Jump to rebound or block shot; Toggle defensive pressure on highlighted matchup
X
Call offensive or defensive quick play (with Left SHIFT); Return to previous menu (in Menu Controls); Access Help menu (in some contexts)
Y
Call offensive or defensive quick play (with Left SHIFT)
Z
Call offensive or defensive quick play (with Left SHIFT); Access the Help menu
D-Pad β
Move highlight up/down; See more info (in Team Info); Cycle through brackets (in Playoff Tree)
D-Pad β
Change highlighted option; Cycle through NBA teams (in Team Info)
D-Pad to choose receiver
Pass
D-Pad to choose player
Switch players
D-Pad to swivel
Swivel on pivot foot for post-up moves (when stationary in low post)
Press X, Y, or Z
Call offensive or defensive set/play
Left SHIFT + X, Y, or Z
Call offensive or defensive quick play
D-Pad <->
Cycle through NBA and All-Star teams (in Team Select); Change highlighted team
C (in Team Select)
Go to Team Info screen
B (in Team Select)
Toggle highlight between home and visitor teams
START (in Team Info)
Continue to User Setup screen
Left SHIFT + X, Y, or Z (in User Setup)
Call appropriate play during game
START (in User Setup)
Exit to Strategy menu
B (in Defensive Matchups)
Change matchup; Highlight player to guard
A (in Defensive Matchups)
Toggle double-teaming on highlighted matchup
C (in Defensive Matchups)
Toggle defensive pressure on highlighted matchup
D-Pad ββ (in Playoff Tree)
Cycle through brackets
START (in Playoff Tree)
Play next game; Simulate next game for current series
PLAY
Proceed to next game
SIMULATE
Simulate next game for current series
STATS
Go to Stats Select screen
ROSTERS
Go to Roster Setup menu
SETUP
Go to Playoff Options screen
SAVE
Go to Save screen
How to Play
Starting the Game
1. Make sure a control pad is plugged into the port labeled Control 1 on the Sega Saturn system.
2. Open the disc tray and place the disc inside.
3. Turn ON the power switch on your Sega Saturn system.
4. At the NBA Live 97 title screen, press START to advance to the Game Setup screen.
Setting Up the Game
Game Setup Menu
Use the Game Setup menu to choose the game mode, style, and difficulty you want.
β’
D-Pad ββ to highlight menu items.
β’
D-Pad ββ to change highlighted item.
β’
Press B to select highlighted menu option.
β’
Press START to proceed.
β’
Press Z to get Help on how the buttons work.
Load Game
Go to the Load Game screen to load saved games from RAM or backup RAM Cartridge.
β’
To toggle saved Season/Playoff games, D-Pad β.
β’
To select a game, D-Pad ββ.
β’
To load a selected game, press B.
β’
To erase saved Season/Playoffs, highlight the file you want to erase and press A. A prompt appears to confirm your choice.
Rules Menu
Use this menu to set custom rules and simulation options. Default (Arcade) settings are listed in bold.
β’
CURRENT RULES: Cycle SIMULATION, CUSTOM, and ARCADE rules.
β’
DEFENSIVE FOULS: This slider (OFF by default) sets defensive foul sensitivity. As the bar is filled, more fouls are called.
β’
OFFENSIVE FOULS: This slider (OFF by default) sets defensive foul sensitivity. As the bar is filled, more fouls are called.
β’
FOUL OUT: Toggle foul out ON/OFF. If ON, players are ejected after their sixth foul.
β’
OUT OF BOUNDS: Toggle out of bounds calls ON/OFF.
β’
BACKCOURT: Toggle backcourt calls ON/OFF.
β’
TRAVELING: Toggle traveling calls ON/OFF.
β’
GOALTENDING: Toggle goaltending calls ON/OFF.
β’
3 IN THE KEY: Toggle three second calls ON/OFF.
β’
INBOUND CLOCK: Toggle 5 second inbound clock ON/OFF.
β’
HALF COURT CLOCK: Toggle 10 second backcourt clock ON/OFF.
β’
SHOT CLOCK: Toggle 24 second shot clock ON/OFF.
β’
INJURIES: Turn player injuries ON/OFF. When Injuries are ON, every time a player gets knocked down there is a slight chance he will be injured. In an Exhibition game, an injured player is only affected during the current game.
β’
FATIGUE: Toggle player fatigue ON/OFF. When ON, players tire and you must substitute accordingly.
User Setup
To change the setting for your Control Pad, D-Pad β to position the controller symbol under either team to select that team, or in the middle to select computer control.
To cycle through user names, D-Pad up/down. Press START to select the highlighted name. When all players have selected their user names, press START to continue. The pregame introduction screens appear.
β’
To delete an existing name: Highlight a user name and press A.
β’
To edit an existing name: Highlight the user name, press B, use D-Pad to select/delete letters, press B to enter, then START to continue.
β’
To enter a new player name: Highlight NEW USER, press B, use D-Pad to select letters, press B to enter, then START to continue.
Pregame Introduction
Before the game, the pregame introduction screens set the stage for the basketball action to follow. First, the Game Introduction screen announces the teams and home court.
β’
Press START to continue. The Starting Lineup screen appears.
β’
The Starting Lineup from both teams are introduced. Press START to go directly to the tip-off.
The Tip-Off
Every game starts with a tip-off between the centers.
β’
To jump for the tip-off, press C.
Playing the Game
You control the man over the control symbol. Depending on which Control Pad you're using, the symbol has a different color. If your player is off-screen, an arrow the same color as your control symbol points toward him from the edge of the screen. Use the D-Pad in the opposite direction to bring him back onscreen.
Just like in the NBA, offense and defense require different skills in NBA Live 97. While the D-Pad is always used to move your player, the buttons have different functions on offense and defense. Learn the controls first, then you can focus on your basketball skills and strategy.
Offense: Moving with and Without the Ball
β’
Press the D-Pad in the direction that you want to move. You continue to move and dribble as long as you hold down the D-Pad. When you release the D-Pad, you stop moving, but maintain your dribble.
β’
Once you leave your feet to shoot you must release the ball before you land, or the refs call traveling.
β’
To run faster, hold down Right SHIFT while moving. This kicks you into Turbo mode, where you may be able to catch another player from behind or make a lightning drive to the bucket.
β’
TIP: When FATIGUE is ON, Turbo mode wears out your players in a hurry, so use it sparingly.
β’
To perform post-up moves, you must catch a pass when you are stationary in the low post area. When you press the D
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