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It is important to understand that NBAL95 isn't and does not try to be a true sports simulation of the game of basketball. It is not. It is not a pure statistical game like the many text basketball games available, and is not a true statistical game like the Front Page Sports series from Dynamix.
It's an action extravegansa, and it's FUN. For example, trades only happen if you make them, and there is no trade intelligence, so there's no problem trading 20 year veteran center Moses Malone from San Antonio in for Michael.

2.1.4 NBA Live '95 vs. Other computer basketball games.
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When compared to the dull assortment of computer games available for the pc, NBAL95 seems even better than it actually is. Games from the far past include "Dr J. vs Larry Bird" and "Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson".
These ancient CGA games from EA started the computer basketball game dynasty that brought to NBAL95. After them came the 5 on 5 "Lakers Vs.
Celtics and the NBA Playoffs", and "Michael Jordan's One on One". These games were all quite good for their time, but are unplayable today
(Although I do play Lakers Vs. Celtics from time to time, for old time's sake :)). After these games, which were released between 1985 and 1990, there was a big drought until 1995. During this period only 4 "serious" basketball games were released. "TV Sports Basketball" from Cinamex was not bad, but is also unplayable today, and does not include real players from the NBA. "NCAA Basketball 1&2" from Bethseda are probably the best bball games besides NBAL95, but they suffer from bad graphics, a bad interface and statistical innacuracy, as well as a general feeling of awkwardness.
If you are a die hard NCAA fan, get these games. The fourth game is
"Michael Jordan In Flight", which is a 3 on 3 game with no real players except Air. A mediocre game with very bad perspective, and an average field goal pct. of 95%...

In the future, there is much to look forward to. ESPN Basketball and
NBA JAM are games soon to be released. There are rumors of Front Page
Sport Basketball, but these are all rumors. Here is a quote of an answer sent to me by Dynamix, in response to the question "Will there be a
FPS: Basketball or FPS: Hockey" :

"Currently we have no plans to create the games you discussed. Our designers are very busy making new versions of FPS: Baseball and FPS:
Football, and currently we have no time/staff to make the above mentioned games. I know, I know, we should hire more designers."

On the other hand, a few people on usenet announced that FPS: Basketball will be released in mid-1996 by Dynamix, and would be a Windows '95 and
CD-ROM game.

I must note that there are also text basketball games for the die hard simulation fans, but for pure basketball with dunks and behind the back passes there's only one game.

2.2 Technical information
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2.2.1 What CPU do I need to play NBA Live '95?
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You can enjoy NBA Live '95 with a 486dx/33. The game may run a bit slowly but it is completely playable on a 486dx/33. A 486dx2/66 is perfect for play, with no slowdown whatsoever, and no problems. Even loading the game shouldn't take more than a few seconds. Playing on a faster PC, such as a fast 486 or a pentium is more than enough. I should note that the install program allows you to pick the sound and video quality, and this will affect the game's speed.

2.2.2 What Video Card do I need to play NBA Live '95?
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You will need a SVGA video card that supports 640x480x256 SVGA graphics.
You'll need to load a VESA driver, either your own or the one supplied with the CD-ROM (:\UNIVBE on the CDROM). I should note that playing the game itself in SVGA is not required, but other parts of the game are in SVGA.

2.2.3 How much memory will I need to play NBA Live '95?
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You'll need 8MB of memory - to be exact, you'll need 7104k of extended memory (7274496 bytes), and around 400k (409600 bytes) of conventional memory.

I read a message on USENET saying that the game is playable with just
4 MB of memory, with just a few video and sound problems. If anyone has done this, please notify me.

2.2.4 Any other requirments?
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Yes. You'll need a CD-ROM drive, as the game is CD-ROM only. You'll need at least a double speed drive. DOS 5 or higher is also a must. You'll also need at least 3MB of hard drive space, although it is possible to copy even more of the game to the hard drive (Up to 270MB, where 15MB is recommended)
A mouse and joystick, are of course, recommended.

2.3 NBA Live '95 News & Rumors
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2.3.1 What's the latest version of Lutz van Hasselt's patch, and what is planned for the future?
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A new patch version (2.31) is available at ftp.cdrom.com /pub/games/incoming. This includes end of 94-95 rosters, plus corrected starting lineups and skill values for all players. willwink@Pool.Informatik.RWTH-Aachen.DE                Page 2

V3.0 is due to release in a week or two from the date of this FAQ, with 95-96 rosters, all-time greats like Magic, Larry, Kareem, Dr J,
Chamberlain, Robertson etc., plus Dream Teams 1,2 and maybe 3, plus lots more including some silly stuff like teams with Bill Clinton, Dan Quayle,
Beavis and Butthead etc. Then, Lutz will start working on a name editor,
Maybe this will be released along with a new Nba-Ed version or along with a new patch version.

2.3.2 Any other intresting news and rumors?
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A few people on Usenet have claimed to have been told by Hitmen
Productions that a modem patch is in progress. If this is true, it could make the NBA
Live '95 experience even more incredible.

Part 3 - Frequently Asked Questions and Frequent Technical Problems
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3.1 General Questions
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3.1.1 Q) Is there a demo available for NBA Live '95?
A) No, no demo is available.

3.1.2 Q) Which sport game should I buy - NBA Live '95 or XYZ?
A) If you like basketball, and are looking for a fun action game with NBA players, full of exciting graphics and sound, YES. If you're a serious sport gamer, who enjoys precise statistical games like Front Page Sports Football/Baseball or text based games, probably NOT.

3.1.3 Q) Where is David Robinson?? Where is Charles Barkley?? Where is
Michael Jordan????
A) Due to contract problems or in MJ's case, due to his return to the NBA, the players were not included in the game. Read
"What's bad in this game" and learn how to fix this problem.

3.1.4 Q) Do you think EA will supply us with an update for the 1995/1996 season?
A) Hmm.. that's a hard one.. NOT.. Definately not, IMHO. Making NBA
Live '96 will just make them more money, and they will have a chance to make the game itself better. Also, the fact that two new teams are joining the league this season, the Toronto
Raptors and the Vancouver Grizzlies, assure that this patch will never see the light of day. Using the available NBA-ED, you will be able to update the teams, but it won't be a true NBA '96 for several reasons - the new teams, the new symbols for many teams, including the Houston Rockets, and of course the fact that 4 teams are changing their uniforms.

3.1.5 Q) Can I copy the entire game to the hard drive, and play the game without using the CD-ROM?
A) Yes. First, copy the entire CD to the hard drive. It will take you
330 MB. This is only the first step. Then you will have to edit the file INSTALL.DAT in the NBA95 directory. This file is divided into lines, each starting either with the title CD or HD. You'll need to rename all titles to CD. Finally, and this is the hardest part, you'll need to create a RAMDRIVE (See your DOS manual). Into this new RAMDRIVE copy the file CDROM.DAT from the CD-ROM. Note that this file is hidden, so use a program like PC-TOOLS or NORTON COMMANDER to copy it. Now, run the game from the hard drive, and the program will be fooled, and will believe your RAMDRIVE is the CDROM, and will only look for you files on the hard drive. This will make the game faster, eliminate any problems you have with the CD, and allow you not to put it in every time.

3.2 Gameplay Questions
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3.2.1 Q) Can you play NBA Live '95 without a joypad?
A) Sure you can. You can play the game with one or two joysticks, your mouse or your keyboard. Playing with a joystick is great, keyboard is reasonable, but playing with a mouse hard.

3.2.2 Q) I just can't shoot. I never make my shots correctly. Help me!
A) Like the manual says, there are a few pointers to making a good shot. Shooting is always easier when you are not moving, and when you are not being guarded. Besides these two factors, when you release the ball is also important. You are supposed to release the ball at the maximum height of your jump, but actually releasing just before makes better shots. Practice makes perfect - try releasing at different heights.

3.2.3 Q) What an easy game! I just beat the computer 300-60! How can I make it harder?
A) Raise the difficulty level. Play with one of the bad teams - the
Clippers, the Timberwolves, the Bucks, the Heat, or others.
Switch on the Computer Assist option, so that the computer will assist your opponent.  Change Shot Control from Player to Computer.

3.2.4 Q) I can't dunk! I am under the basket, I hit the shoot button, and my player just makes a jump shot! Help!
A) You generally have to simply be under the basket to make the dunk.
Running towards the basket and then hitting the shoot button also helps. I've noticed that players with higher dunk ratings can make dunks from much larger distances, so if your dunker has a low dunking rating, try moving a bit closer to the basket. Also, if there are too many players in the colored area, it is harder to dunk.

3.2.5 Q) How many players can play NBA Live '95 at once?
A) 4! Two on joysticks, One using a mouse and one using a keyboard.
You can all play for the same team or be on opposing sides. 4 players is so much fun!

3.2.6 Q) Can I play over the modem or using a network?
A) No :(, but playing 4 players on a computer is even better than playing on a network, IMHO.

3.2.7 Q) I am aware that I can save playoffs and seasons, but how do I save a game? I mean save in the middle of a game?
A) You just can't. Saving is only offered at the season or playoff menus. This is a pity, because making such an option would have been technically easy for EA, and when playing a 48 minute game, which often lasts over an hour, a save option is needed.

3.2.8 Q) Can I save replays so that I can show (off) my dunks to my friends?
A) Nope. No option of saving replays was made available, although it definately should have been included.

3.2.9 Q) How do I turn on the SVGA mode? Should I play with the SVGA mode?
A) Press F9 during the game or simply select it in the option menu. No, I doubt anyone plays NBA Live '95 with the SVGA mode, because you just can't see what's going on. Plus, all the fun is to see the close-up slo-mo dunks.

3.2 - Frequent Technical Problems
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3.2.1 Q) How can I contact EA support on the net?
A) Mail to support@ea.com. From personal experience, they just don't help, but try. Their answer is usually "Did you try to make a boot disk? If so, send us your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT"

3.2.2 Q) I have a very weird problem - my game crashes at certain menus like view players, save season or trade players. The game also skips the intro at the beginning, and crashes during simulation games. I can't even use my joystick. How can I fix this?
A) This is a common problem with NBAL95, and can be fixed easily. I have recieved mail from 7 people with this problem. Simply open your computer and disable the game port on your IDE. This is done easily by removing a jumper. Look through your pc's documentation for a jumper on the IDE board enabling the game port and remove it. You can still use your joystick port on your sound card, if you have one.