NBA Live 98 Genesis box art

Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Sports

NBA Live 98

SystemSega Genesis / Mega Drive
Released1997
GenreSports
DeveloperEA Sports
PublisherElectronic Arts
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
SeriesNBA Live
ESRBE
LegacyDeep cut

Released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1997, NBA Live 98 is a sports game developed by EA Sports and published by Electronic Arts.

It landed about 8 years into the Genesis's life. Other notable Genesis releases from 1997 include NHL 98, Madden NFL 98 and Mario Andretti Racing.

It is part of the NBA Live series; on the Genesis you can also try Lakers versus Celtics and the NBA Playoffs, NBA Live 96 and Team USA Basketball. The series also appears on other systems with NBA Live 2001 (PS1) and NBA Live 2003 (PS1). EA Sports also made NHL 98, Mario Andretti Racing and Bill Walsh College Football for the Genesis.

NBA Live 98 supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to race and compete
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you've played the Genesis hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you need current teams and rosters

What playing NBA Live 98 is like

Sports games bring football, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, wrestling and more to the console, from simulation-style management to over-the-top arcade action.

Tip for newcomers: Arcade-style sports games are the easiest to enjoy today; simulation titles may have outdated rosters but still offer satisfying gameplay.

NBA Live 98 gameplay screenshot on Genesis
In-game screenshot (Genesis)

NBA Live 98 cheats & codes

5 codes on file (Action Replay, Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:

Team 1 Score ModifierFFF973:XX
Team 2 Score ModifierFFF8DB:XX

See all NBA Live 98 cheats

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Playing Genesis games today

Genesis games are fast and immediate, and many are made for two players. Official collections and Nintendo Switch Online carry a big slice of the library, and Rec0m88 can run your own Genesis backups with online netplay.

NBA Live 98 FAQ

When did NBA Live 98 come out on the Genesis?

NBA Live 98 was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1997.

Who made NBA Live 98?

It was developed by EA Sports and published by Electronic Arts.

Is NBA Live 98 multiplayer?

Yes. NBA Live 98 supports up to 2 players.

How long does NBA Live 98 take to play?

As a sports game, NBA Live 98 typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you