Including Life Mode in NBA 06 marks a departure from the more conventional gameplay of previous NBA video games. Even though it retains traditional gameplay elements like exhibition, season, franchise, and multiplayer modes, the live method is an innovative take analogous to MLB: The Show.
In life mode, the player assumes the role of an NBA rookie who has recently graduated from college and is in the process of being drafted. The player can only control one character, just like in the MLB Show series, and they have no power over the other club members or the managerial decisions made. The athlete’s on-court and off-court performance will combine to define the player’s role on the squad. The more proficient a player is at basketball and being a good teammate, the more likely they will become an integral part of the team and be offered more lucrative endorsement and contract opportunities.
In a similar vein, the choices that a player makes off the field will have an impact on how others view them both on and off the field. This includes their teammates, the things they buy, and the people they spend their time with. A total of 20 different minigames, such as one-on-one, three-on-three, and so on, are available for the player to use to hone their character’s skills.
The game also has a mode called Showtime Gameplay, in which players can improve their attributes and become stronger team players by performing no-look alley-oops and highlighting reel dunks. In addition, it is possible to utilize the user’s face on a character they have designed by connecting an EyeToy to their computer and uploading a photo of themselves.
