09 NBA Games Offer Something For Everyone
by 
Despite the constant bickering between fans of the games this has turned out to be a fantastic season of NBA offerings. Each of the three titles does some things really well while falling short in comparison in other areas. There may be some frustration that there is no “total package” as unrealistic as that may be. Though unlike the NFL and MLB there are multiple choices available on each console which allows for consumers to choose the game that suits them best.
NBA 2K9: Continues its gameplay excellence, has the most natural and varied animations, and offers the best presentation. Fans of the series will appreciate the familiarity and while it remains the least accessible it is often found to be the most rewarding gameplay experience.
NBA Live 09: Has the best features including the revolutionary Live 365 and the NBA Academy, the best online play both in terms of performance and modes, and has far and away the best commentary. It is now considered to be comparable in quality to the 2K series.
NBA 09 The Inside: While I haven’t been able to delve into this game yet it does have the story mode which has been the major selling point. The gameplay may not be up to par with the other two but having a unique way to play can have definite appeal. While it is unlikely to be the first choice for an NBA game having that mode makes The Inside a potential compliment to the other two.
As I’ve mentioned in the comments on numerous occasions I find it interesting that here we have a sport that has competition since there is no exclusive license involved. Supposedly everyone believes this to be a positive yet the level of vitrol between the communities is remarkable. Fans of one particular game want that game to be seen as the only respectable choice subsequently putting down the other games and anyone who likes them. Ultimately everyone should be playing whatever they enjoy regardless and appreciate that competition is truly paying dividends with the NBA titles.
October 16, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Does anyone know if you can create a player and put him on a national team? I was going to rent live 09 before I bought it but if you cant create a player and put him anywhere in the game you wish thar would really suck. Also, is it true when you do your nba academy drills you cant use your team but they give you a bunch of random players ? That would suck even more
October 16, 2008 at 1:40 pm
[quote comment="42295"][quote comment="42282"][quote comment="42252"]I agree with Pasta’s opinions on the games for the most part. I would say that Live has the best commentary “by far”. 2K’s commentary is pretty good (Kevin Harlin makes you feel like your in the game). As far as features go, I would give the edge to Live but not by much. That being said I would prefer NBA 09 over Live though. Live still can’t even get the net animations or passing right. WTF? 2K is by far the best b ball title again this year.[/quote]
man the only thing NBA 09 does right is net animations do you see how they dribble its like there on crack.[/quote]
True but I refuse to play Live until they get the basic aspects of an NBA game down. I used to love Live back in the day but EA won’t get a penny from me until the learn or should I say relearn how to make a fluid basketball game.[/quote]
Thts cool i don’t have live or do its that but i can never see my self buying a scea basket game, it still feels like the same crappy shootout they can keep on changing the name but its alwasys just mediocre.
October 16, 2008 at 1:51 pm
[quote comment="42294"]@Kw I wouldn’t need 2 if dudes would STOP wit da Lying just keep it 100
but it seems like dudes is just BORED wit da “TRUTH” so dey come up wit all d’s colorful lies
SN:
I OWN’D him last night sounds like HO MO speak 2 me
but A i’m just sayin[/quote]
im keep it real man the 2k on the ps3 does not look as good as on 360. and the inbound glitch sht starting to get on my nerves, i dont care its its better then live, insider, sht kobe court side lol, the 2k9 just feels like it was rushed.
October 16, 2008 at 2:28 pm
ur right bout da PS3 thing cuz I hav da PS3 version dude across da street from me got da 360 version IN-BOUND GLITCH I hav seen da VIDZ on UTUBE but it has happen 2 me off-line or on-line in team play (I hav yet 2 play a 1 on 1 on-line)
while I don’t like da PS3 gettin da short end of da stick wit da blurry logos & ISH it still looks GOOD & since I hav yet 2 personally run N2 those glitches in da game
IT PLAYS GOOD 2
@ BLACKFLAGZ my bad met sum other dude (in real life) & he sed his PSN name is BANDIT BLACK FLAG so i thought dat was U
October 16, 2008 at 2:29 pm
@ Kw I meant HASN’T (of course)
October 16, 2008 at 4:56 pm
live is really hard you cant be lazy on defense and you cant dunk every time you get the ball like you use to in early lives games. It feels fresh im glad i bought live
October 16, 2008 at 5:22 pm
My problem is that I can’t decide what game to get, I really wish 2k and EA would somehow combine their powers and make a 10 out of 10 game. So far I’m left watching videos for both games. I watch NBA2k9 and I can’t help but think how realistic it looks or compares to a broadcast. Live 09 just looks fun (which is what video games should be).
2k9 = realistic but frustrating controls
LIVE 09 = Fun game but sometimes it’s a little quirky
NBA 09 = Story mode (that’s what my Imagination is for)
This article was about the variety NBA games have to offer…but the amount of petty people will never diminish. Great article Pasta.
October 16, 2008 at 5:47 pm
i’ma ask dis ? but seriously wut is so FRUSTRATIN bout 2K’s controls SERIOUSLY
deerz vidz on UTUBE Breakin down ISOMOTION deerz a 9 page manual breakin it down even further dan dat
like unless ya’ll hav a BAD hand eye coordination or CAN’T read I don’t get wutz so hard bout it ??????
October 16, 2008 at 6:06 pm
i don’t care who thinks what game is better and go back and forth,I AM HAPPY WE HAVE CHOICE!!! what Live doesn’t have,2k9 has and what 2k9 doesn’t have,Live has.I love the choice.Its why every since the NBA games have came out,Madden is on the backburner.Now Pasta can u see why Rewind is not working in Live???
October 16, 2008 at 6:36 pm
[quote comment="42375"]i’ma ask dis ? but seriously wut is so FRUSTRATIN bout 2K’s controls SERIOUSLY
deerz vidz on UTUBE Breakin down ISOMOTION deerz a 9 page manual breakin it down even further dan dat
like unless ya’ll hav a BAD hand eye coordination or CAN’T read I don’t get wutz so hard bout it ??????[/quote]
You just explained why its frustrating for people. If you have to watch a video or read a 9 page manual it isn’t accessible and most people aren’t going to make that type of committment over something like that.
October 16, 2008 at 6:37 pm
[quote comment="42380"]i don’t care who thinks what game is better and go back and forth,I AM HAPPY WE HAVE CHOICE!!! what Live doesn’t have,2k9 has and what 2k9 doesn’t have,Live has.I love the choice.Its why every since the NBA games have came out,Madden is on the backburner.Now Pasta can u see why Rewind is not working in Live???[/quote]
I guess it was working yesterday but yeah not today. I sent an email in and its being checked on.
October 16, 2008 at 6:44 pm
@ pasta U don’t have to itz like fightin games 2 me
itz EZ enuff 4 those who R NEW 2 da GAME but offers more depth 4 VETERANS of da GAME
4 new comers here are da basics
R2 stutter
L2 quick stutter
hold R2 spin joy stick 2 da wut a SPIN
hold R2 move analof left 2 right 2 do wut a left 2 right cross over
October 16, 2008 at 8:40 pm
2k isomotion controls are little off but it isnt bad but it isnt the best dribbling controls out of the three games
dribbling mosves andd control
1st nba live 09
2nd nba2k9
3rd nba 09
October 17, 2008 at 1:09 am
sdot always bringing up Live for some reason, I don’t know why, I’ve thought 2K9 has been better over the years. He always falls back on “It’s better than Live” as if Live was my favorite game. I have both, I play both, I make sliders for both, so why is it when his back is against the wall and he can’t say anything he resorts to “Well Live is this and that?” LOL. This little boy, too easily OWNED.
October 17, 2008 at 8:45 am
The latest on Rewind is that it is working, it just takes 30 seconds to load up the list of games and another 30 seconds to download the desired game. They’re working on speeding this up.
October 17, 2008 at 11:32 am
DAM U still talkin bout me wasn’t dat SH….. 2dayd ago
I be YUNG FLY & FLASHY JR kinda L-A-T-E
U kinda LATE cabrilo
dis thread dead shorty
October 20, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Live 09 can’t tcuch 2K9. Yeah they improved it from last year’s but 2K9 is still CLEARLY the better B-Ball game! I bought 2K and my homie bought Live and we played them back to back, and it’s not even close as far as the gameplay is concerned. 2K feels and plays like a REAL NBA game! Live feels and plays like a REAL VIDEO game! That’s the difference!
Live has a lot more work to do before they catch 2K, but at least they trying. That’s what having no exclusive license means, that the competition will keep trying to one up each other! You notice that the games with exclusive licenses (Madden, MLB 2K) are not that good? Why? Because they have NO COMPETITION to worry about to push them and make them better!! With 3 NBA games to choose from, the competition will make the companies want to do better and out do each other! And guess who wins? US!!
WHAT UP SDOT!! HOW YA LIVIN?
October 29, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Which game is better out of 2k9 or Live 09 coz im about to go buy one of em and atm im leading towards 2k9 even though im an EA supporter, which do u think is better?