According to EA and the Recording Industry Association of America, the CD went Platinum, selling over one million copies. NBA Live 2003 was the first game in the NBA Live franchise to include the soundtrack on a separate CD.
An official patch was released to correct a couple of bugs, including slowed down gameplay in Windows 98 when using a USB gamepad.Retro jerseys were also included for the first time. For the first time users could select which jersey a team would wear before beginning a game.
This years installment in the NBA Live series features a new control system that lets you make quick steals, monster shot blocks, and smooth crossover dribbles. The return of NBA Live to the PC platform. Live your dream of NBA superstardom in NBA Live 2003.The game also corrected some issues from NBA Live 2001 and NBA Live 2002 including the disproportionate rebounds. Arcade-like effects such as booming sound effects and blocks which rocketed the ball to the opposite baseline were also amongst the common complaints.The return to the PC platform was welcomed by patchers however and several patches were made including "Tweaked Rosters" which attempted to combat some of the issues with gameplay. NBA Live 2003 was also derided for its "Courtside Comedy" approach to cutscenes which players felt detracted from the intended atmosphere of an NBA simulation. Although the concept itself was not unpopular (and continues to be used with Quick Strike Ankle Breakers today) most felt Freestyle Control was too powerful in NBA Live 2003 and the game too fast-paced with scores easily exceeding 150 points apiece when playing twelve minute quarters. The landmark addition in NBA Live 2003 was Freestyle Control, which was met with some enthusiasm by fans though some did not like the limited moves that were available to keyboard users. NBA Live 2003 is EA Sports' NBA release for the 2002/2003 NBA season.