NBA 2K9 Previews
by 
NBA 2K9 is now seeing a fair share of hands-on previews to flesh out the feature list that came out a while back. While much is known of both of the main NBA titles, 2K9 apparently still has a secret online mode in its back pocket to reveal at a later date. Gamespot and TeamXbox recently shared their thoughts on the game and more details on what to expect.
TeamXbox discusses the improvements to the graphics, the ability to share created players, highlight sharing via Reelmaker, and 2K’s version of online team play.
Gamespot also touches on the online mode as well as the presentation, association mode improvements, and gameplay specifics.
August 19, 2008 at 10:13 am
good stuff pasta. thanks for spreadin the word. I’ll have to check these out
August 19, 2008 at 10:14 am
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THESE, cant wait for the demo
August 19, 2008 at 10:22 am
Many gamers thought, that there is one point, where Live is better, than 2k, and thats the graphics. Now they have to think again. The player faces are scary realistic…
August 19, 2008 at 10:49 am
Any chance you play a little more NBA 2K this year Pasta?
August 19, 2008 at 10:54 am
“the physics in the game are still not as sharp as they could be. These include herky-jerky animation transitions (especially when the user changes his mind mid-animation), offensive players not falling to the ground on a charge or block (the defenders do though), play immediately stopping when the whistle blows following a foul or violation (the ball immediately drops from the player’s hands), and small guards sinking seemingly impossible shots while surrounded by bigs and other times get rejected from behind (it just seems totally arbitrary). While, like last year, you will still run into the occasional clipping issues”
herky-jerky animations?
after reading the previews im a litltle disappointed in 2k i mean all this waiting and this is what they were hiding yawnnnn…………..:(
August 19, 2008 at 10:56 am
Im sure they can fix that wade before release date
August 19, 2008 at 10:59 am
Hey off topic but I think there needvto be a discussion about what Olympic sports need a video game…..I saw it somewhere else and thought I would bring it up here… Padre what sport would you want to see?
I want real wrestling game either collegiate or international freestyle and Greco roman wrestling that’s my dream
August 19, 2008 at 11:02 am
This game is gonna b tizight yo..
August 19, 2008 at 11:06 am
and Live is better right? I played Live recently and it needs to do more than just add “new” features. It needs to redo defensive,offensive AI and stop being so arcady. It is just like all EA (except hockey) games. Keep the same engine year after year and add COOL NEW FEATURES…BLAH, BLAH & BLAH. Nba2K at least has a strong gameplay base. #1 as always and that is reflected by their sales.
August 19, 2008 at 11:14 am
Wade08, I was also suprised, reading this, coz animations are the strongest part of 2k8, and at the end of the article, according to the editor every aspect of the game became better.
After these, rather be disappointed about Gamespot know-how…
August 19, 2008 at 11:16 am
gamespot preview sucked but teamxbox was better
August 19, 2008 at 11:42 am
[quote comment="32772"]and Live is better right? I played Live recently and it needs to do more than just add “new” features. It needs to redo defensive,offensive AI and stop being so arcady. It is just like all EA (except hockey) games. Keep the same engine year after year and add COOL NEW FEATURES…BLAH, BLAH & BLAH. Nba2K at least has a strong gameplay base. #1 as always and that is reflected by their sales.[/quote]
I’m not a fanboy of either game but 2k7 to 2k8 was not much of a leap even tough i didnt like live 08 i could see its improvements, I think both games are gonna be good this year. I just hope this year in 2k9 you can’t dominate a whole game with lebron and kobe.
August 19, 2008 at 11:43 am
@ r00tabaga:
Try playing the FIFA series sometime. One of the best EA Sports games out there that continually refines the engine it’s built on to enhance the gaming experience. EA’s best title in my opinion.
August 19, 2008 at 11:58 am
Taken from an OS Poster with my commentary
“ONLINE FEATURE NOT YET RELEASED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(Rumor)
My hunch is that you will be able to create a league and play the association 2.0 online. Each individual picks a team and goes through a season with that team. There will be certain dates that you set up to play the online gamer on your schedule. For example, I have the Lakers and someone has the Celtics. We both go into our season and and we both agree that we must play our game against each other on a specific day and time. Whom ever fails to meet will forfeit. This would be a great addition if it happens. I am sure you could do this up to a specific amount of users. How cool would it be to play as the Lakers and you have another user rival playing as the Suns in the Western Conference Finals. In the other side are two user controlled teams who battled to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals (CLE, BOS). Imagine going 7 games and your heart is pounding and you are saying to yourself “I have never seen anyone play with LBJ like this). If you are defeated, It really feels like you have been sent home packing waiting for the next time to meet again. HOPE THE RUMOR IS TRUE.”
My Commentary
I nearly wet my pants simply contemplating how dope that scenario would be if this is indeed the secretive and much-hyped online feature. The Preview simply reiterates 2K’s desire to portray the little nuances of basketball gameplay that Live just doesn’t get let alone implement. All of the little nuances that 2K implements in their game enhances the SIM expereince to point where any cheeser or basketball neophyte can be shredded with the good strategy and gameplay mastery, especially on defense. I have the ability choose which games I purchase and which games I want for free, after deeming it not worthy of my purchase. I will gladly purchase 3 copies of 2K9 on launch for myself, older brother and younger brother. Damn this franchise is crack! How dare Live fanboys try and compare a legimate behemoth of sim basketball that 2K represents, with a toothless, paper-tiger, gimmicky-laden arcade basketball that Live represents. WE DONT BELIVE YOU EA, YOU NEED MORE PEOPLE!
August 19, 2008 at 12:22 pm
“I’m not a fanboy of either game but 2k7 to 2k8 was not much of a leap even tough i didnt like live 08 i could see its improvements, I think both games are gonna be good this year. I just hope this year in 2k9 you can’t dominate a whole game with lebron and kobe.”
aww kwas676 dont let the fanboys hear that
August 19, 2008 at 1:01 pm
that dont look like tony parker lol
August 19, 2008 at 1:03 pm
[quote comment="32777"]@ r00tabaga:
Try playing the FIFA series sometime. One of the best EA Sports games out there that continually refines the engine it’s built on to enhance the gaming experience. EA’s best title in my opinion.[/quote]
I actually preferred Pro Evo over FIFA until last year. Both of EA’s soccer and hockey franchises became much better recently and those two games are at the top of most peoples “Best of 08 lists”….when did NBA2K’s graffix become horrible? I always thought that their anim’s & Visuals were the best around. And I don’t mind marquee players dominating, but when I have a wide open shot around the hoop w/anyone and can’t hit the broadside of a barn, something needs fixin!
August 19, 2008 at 1:04 pm
I’m not counting on any of the extra peripherals to work until I see them work. We keep getting promises on these neat features, but they are frequently broken out of the box. As much as I respect Jeff Thomas and Visual Concepts, I just don’t trust anything anymore.
August 19, 2008 at 1:19 pm
[quote comment="32770"]Hey off topic but I think there needvto be a discussion about what Olympic sports need a video game…..I saw it somewhere else and thought I would bring it up here… Padre what sport would you want to see?
I want real wrestling game either collegiate or international freestyle and Greco roman wrestling that’s my dream[/quote]
i think curling and table tennis lol
August 19, 2008 at 1:21 pm
btw, those graphics look AMAZING
August 19, 2008 at 1:52 pm
meh the game is going to suck . and the game still looks like crap. and the secret is going to be garbage.
August 19, 2008 at 1:56 pm
should be a solid year for pro hoops : )
August 19, 2008 at 2:12 pm
[quote comment="32791"]meh the game is going to suck . and the game still looks like crap. and the secret is going to be garbage.[/quote]
Well at least your positive.
August 19, 2008 at 2:14 pm
@ r00tabaga:
(Sorry, can’t get the dang quote thing to work in my browser).
Agreed on the graphics of 2K. I always thought 2K looked loads better simply because it looks better in motion. Live over the last few years has a slightly cartoonish look in my opinion. Player’s legs are far too skinny, eyes are always crossed – things just look off. While the facial models haven’t been that great for 2K in the past, the movement has always more than made up for it. Live felt too abrupt in its movement to me last year. Couple that with the insane amount of fouls when trying to stand your ground on the block and I couldn’t handle it.
2K certainly has its share of problems, but ever since I switched over from Live in ‘04 it’s been the more fulfilling basketball game for me.
August 19, 2008 at 2:33 pm
wow that derrick rose screen shot looks mad good 2k is once again wining the battle with ea
August 19, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I wonder if the secret online mode is an MMO type like NHL 09. That’d be nice. Or maybe something like create a cheerleader/dance team.
August 19, 2008 at 4:13 pm
[quote comment="32772"]and Live is better right? I played Live recently and it needs to do more than just add “new” features. It needs to redo defensive,offensive AI and stop being so arcady. It is just like all EA (except hockey) games. Keep the same engine year after year and add COOL NEW FEATURES…BLAH, BLAH & BLAH. Nba2K at least has a strong gameplay base. #1 as always and that is reflected by their sales.[/quote]
Amen brotha!
August 19, 2008 at 4:23 pm
[quote comment="32797"]wow that derrick rose screen shot looks mad good 2k is once again wining the battle with ea[/quote]
Let the battle begin! 2K all day!
August 19, 2008 at 4:25 pm
wow i finally realized how crazy 2k fanboys are.
you know fanboys made me hate 2k
August 19, 2008 at 4:31 pm
[quote comment="32779"]Taken from an OS Poster with my commentaryMy Commentary
I nearly wet my pants simply contemplating how dope that scenario would be if this is indeed the secretive and much-hyped online feature. The Preview simply reiterates 2K’s desire to portray the little nuances of basketball gameplay that Live just doesn’t get let alone implement. All of the little nuances that 2K implements in their game enhances the SIM expereince to point where any cheeser or basketball neophyte can be shredded with the good strategy and gameplay mastery, especially on defense. I have the ability choose which games I purchase and which games I want for free, after deeming it not worthy of my purchase. I will gladly purchase 3 copies of 2K9 on launch for myself, older brother and younger brother. Damn this franchise is crack! How dare Live fanboys try and compare a legimate behemoth of sim basketball that 2K represents, with a toothless, paper-tiger, gimmicky-laden arcade basketball that Live represents. WE DONT BELIVE YOU EA, YOU NEED MORE PEOPLE![/quote]
Man I couldn’t of said it better! Live promoted signature moves last year as if it was some “new feature” when 2K already had that but yet they didn’t have to promote it as a new feature. In Live, only superstars have go to moves. In 2K, every single player all the way down to the 12th player on the bench plays exactly like themselves. From they’re tendencies to the way they shoot, dribble, run, ect…I was blown away with 2K’s ability to pay attention to every little detail. EA still doesn’t get that. Little details do make a huge difference. EA still doesn’t even have refs on the field in Madden. WTF?
August 19, 2008 at 4:43 pm
[quote comment="32791"]meh the game is going to suck . and the game still looks like crap. and the secret is going to be garbage.[/quote]
Ok…..& you base this off of what again??? If you’re gonna say that at least give reasons why you think that.
August 19, 2008 at 4:50 pm
well Josh the gamespot preview sucked it showed the chinks in 2k’s armor
August 19, 2008 at 4:50 pm
and the 2nd teaser trailer sucked josh
August 19, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Wade I can understand if you like Live better & I have no problem with that. At least we all have a choice in basketball games unlike football. Honestly I want Live to get back to being on top but I’m also a realist Wade. I know that 2K isn’t perfect but if you can’t see that 2K is more realistic than Live then I don’t know what to tell you. I even said that Live looks improved this year & that I might consider buying it because of it’s FIBA mode. I just don’t understand how you can say 2K sucks. You lose all credibility when you say that.
August 19, 2008 at 5:47 pm
No video game ever made has been perfect games from halo to madden have always had problems anyone who disagrees doesnt know what they are talking about. Ea and 2k both produce great games each year and yeah its nice that we have a choice unlike football were the only option we have is between nfl and college and both games are made by the same brand and it gets anoying to see the mostly the same things but with basketball its tottally different.I mean think about if ea bought out the nba license just like the nfl one then we could only choose between ncaa 09 and live. so basicallyboth game will have their problems but are still fun and great to play and isnt that the point of video games to have fun. People just care about graphics this gameplay that no matter what 2k and ea will both produce fun and enjoyable video games so people should stop going crazy over things that are not needed to be fixed
August 19, 2008 at 6:34 pm
kwas676, Kobe and LeBron can really dominate games though…..
August 19, 2008 at 7:21 pm
KOBE & LeBRON should dominate!!! It would be weird if they didn’t…
August 19, 2008 at 7:56 pm
2k fanboys ruin a great game in NBA 2k
August 19, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I will not be buying this game this year or Live for that matter Im just not that impreesed.
August 20, 2008 at 3:28 am
I’ll be getting both games but Live has impressed me much more up to now. The Live 360 and DNA and OTP features are great. That doesn’t mean the game will play better than 2K but I’m interested because of them.
August 20, 2008 at 4:59 am
Josh, You have spoken from my heart, You are definetely a core basketball player.
The theory is simple:
if You like quality simulation basketball games = You have got to be a 2k fanboy. And proudly I am…
And David, I have plenty of reasons to hail 2k over LIVE…
August 20, 2008 at 9:48 am
yo whoever just saw those new screenshots that were posted those are amazing NBA 2k9 is the best live will not even come close!!!! Kbshowtyme!!! are u serious did u see derrick rose and Carlos boozer those are the real fucking people
August 20, 2008 at 9:51 am
2k9 looks amazing the faces look to realistic for a video game…
August 20, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Tony Parker looks like me
August 20, 2008 at 2:40 pm
They need to somehow make College Hoops 2K8 draft classes compatible with this game. That would be the perfect solution since I would assume 2009 rosters will be hitting the 2K Sports Locker or whatever it’s called soon.
I love 2K Sports. I will be getting this game for sure.
August 21, 2008 at 1:10 am
I have to agree with the good comments on 2k9, its real simple in my mind, if your looking for a good SIMULATION game you go with NBA 2k9, if you want a little more of an arcade type of feel you go get yourself Live.. U would have to be blind if you thought otherwise cause its very obvious to see which game is better gameplay wise.. Graphically 2k is looking alot better this year then last so im looking for this to be one of the best, if not the best b-ball sims we have ever seen
August 21, 2008 at 7:17 pm
2k9 all day best game ever hands down
August 21, 2008 at 7:18 pm
this game is gona look bangin just look at those new screenshots paul pierce —wowww
August 21, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Two words
NBA LIVE! we always have better graphics the main players dont look realistic look at KG he looks like he is HIGH! and why does tony parkers hands look like that. wow terrible animation