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 15, 2008 at 8:28 pm
screw everybody that says first haha sdot
If ur not 1st ur last
October 15, 2008 at 8:58 pm
HAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA LOOOOVEEE DIS SITE!
October 15, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Good post. This easily is the best and most varied sport in gaming. Especially if you add in the arcade games like Street and Ballers.
October 15, 2008 at 9:05 pm
i agree with you
October 15, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I see 2K supporters are on the defensive this year, it seems like they jump in at any chance to bash Live or bash anyone who is having fun with it. That is pretty sad, I think there is some feeling of getting defensive because Live is pretty good now. We should just be happy that there are more than one good option thats what people want right? 2K will have to improve and innovate now that Live is pushing the boundaries and winning people back. Everybody wins in this situation but you wouldnt know it the way people act. Lets celebrate that fans of basketball games are so much better off then baseball and football.
October 15, 2008 at 9:21 pm
madden sucks. so does MLB. lets just try to agree to disagree disolve the MLB and NFL player licenses. EA gets to Make MVP baseball Take two gets to make NFL 2k
everyones happy more revenue. in both sports and consumers have more choices in sports games.
October 15, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Having played both 2K and Live this year, I can’t agree with the “comparable” statement, Pasta. I’ll give Live the broader feature set and the prettier graphics, but the gameplay still doesn’t hold a candle to 2K in my opinion.
October 15, 2008 at 10:29 pm
[quote comment="42217"]I see 2K supporters are on the defensive this year, it seems like they jump in at any chance to bash Live or bash anyone who is having fun with it. That is pretty sad, I think there is some feeling of getting defensive because Live is pretty good now. We should just be happy that there are more than one good option thats what people want right? 2K will have to improve and innovate now that Live is pushing the boundaries and winning people back. Everybody wins in this situation but you wouldnt know it the way people act. Lets celebrate that fans of basketball games are so much better off then baseball and football.[/quote]
true… i wish it was this way with football because its my favorite sports game to play but the NFL ruined it by making there license exclusive… the competition and choice was what made the football games great… now it seems like everyone just complains about EA’s lack to make a next gen football game… i bet if 2k was allowed to compete madden would be steps ahead of where its at right now
October 15, 2008 at 10:38 pm
excellent thoughts, Pasta…competition in video games does not always breed excellence…they just spawn more gimicky and poorly implemented features all for the sake of claiming superiority…in the end…NHL 09 is still the best sports game to be released this year…and no game took a bigger step forward from their previous iteration than Madden 08…both games have no competition (NHL having competition in name only, NHL2K..seriously?)…
October 16, 2008 at 12:11 am
Now, Now. I have both 2k (my fav) and LIVE09 (gamefly). No Live 09 Quality is still not up to par. Still too many non-basketball issues. You can do lockdown d and force the CPU PG to do backcourt violations over and over again. I had no problem doing this to Tony Parker over and over again in LIVE09. Thats only one example. Commentary yes. OVERALL QUALITY? Nope.
October 16, 2008 at 12:31 am
Yeah. NBA Live is winning back it’s casual gamers, but how about PC?
They are loser at this part. They will lose millions of it’s PC consumers this year. Because NBA 2K9 will be the only king in this year’s PC community.
October 16, 2008 at 12:48 am
If you think the PC version will sell millions I have a bridge for you to buy.
October 16, 2008 at 2:01 am
Owning both games is tough. When I play 2K9 I miss the ease of use of Live, its graphics, and DNA. When I play Live, I miss 2K’s smoother animations, presentation, and ball physics.
October 16, 2008 at 2:16 am
are there still online issues in nba 2k9 ?
October 16, 2008 at 2:18 am
i still dnt think live is comparible the gameplay is still suspect 2 me. n the dna thing is cool, lets think bout it. If kobe/lebron or whomever favor the left side of the court more that day then live will have the comp do the same for kobe on the game. But most/all basketball players take what the defense gives them. they dnt favor ne side of the court. I agree they prolly got hot spots but thats it. I tried 2 play live but its boring and easy. Playing on the hardest level i still can shoot fade away 3’s with Kobe. I guess im one of those that prefers a challenge/strategy over features. But one thing i will say this year 2k is nice but ive alredy seen a few glitches, n ive grown bored with it cus it feels like ive been playin the same game for 2 yrs (2k8-2k9)
October 16, 2008 at 2:21 am
Also 2k has lowered the defense this yr. Seems like its goin more towards Live’s gameplay (last person 2 score wins)
October 16, 2008 at 4:38 am
\WROOOO CHOOO
October 16, 2008 at 4:41 am
[quote comment="42227"]If you think the PC version will sell millions I have a bridge for you to buy.[/quote]
DUDE LAY OFF THE NEW T.I. CD! AND FOR ALL YOU 2K9 HATERZ BACKOFF! NBA LIVE IS GABAGE! I HAD EVERY NBA LIVE EXCEPT THIS YEAR( TRUTH)! SO WITH ME SWITCHING OVER TO 2K THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME MEANS ALOT! THAT GAME IS DOPE(TRUTH)! NBA LIVE IS TOO( SIKE)
October 16, 2008 at 5:59 am
[quote comment="42230"]are there still online issues in nba 2k9 ?[/quote]
Yeah online still is a complete mess.
October 16, 2008 at 6:27 am
I’ve said it all along, there is something for everyone in each of the 3 games. People tend to focus on the negatives instead of enjoying what those games bring to the table. I’m very happy to see Live and the Sony series improving. 2K is the best game for now, but I think they will have to go further in the next few years if they want to keep their spot on the top of the hill. Once upon a time, the soccer franchise Winning Eleven from Konami was untouchable. Much like the NBA 2K series, it had outstanding animations and understanding of the game it portrayed. Everybody thought it would be impossible for their rivals, the FIFA series from EA Sports, to compete with them. Konami rested on its laurels just fine tunning their game year after year without any major inovation (again, much like Visual Concepts). On the other side, FIFA kept improving its gamepaly, adding new modes, features, etc. Well, guess what, today the FIFA series is the best soccer franchise available and even the Winning Eleven die-hard fans are making the switch, admiting that their game is no longer #1. We may see history repeating itself on the NBA games helm.
Anyway, enjoy all of the 3 NBA games this year.
Peace.
October 16, 2008 at 8:08 am
when is 2k9 going to fix online? Is there any timetable? I have the ps3 version. Has anyone heard anything?
October 16, 2008 at 8:15 am
[quote comment="42243"]when is 2k9 going to fix online? Is there any timetable? I have the ps3 version. Has anyone heard anything?[/quote]
Going by 2K’s track record it won’t be fixed. They said they were working on MLB 2K8 and never made it any better and they are saying the same things now about NBA 2K9. But with the reverse fantasy league, team 2k, and advertising 5 on 5 mode I would have to think they are going to make things better. Just cant count on it so in wait and see mode now.
October 16, 2008 at 8:19 am
Lol, what?
All review gaming sites confirm Live is not up to par with 2K yet. And after playing both It’s crystal clear.
October 16, 2008 at 8:36 am
To J-Claw: I agree, they have Iggy, Nash, Garnett for the ‘other side’ online feature. Hard to imagine, that they do not fix these technical issues, they shall loose a lot of money otherwise.
To Pasta: Live is better here or there, but according to the sales (almost 3times more saled copies for 2k in the 1st week), and the gamer site reviews (2k9 is at least 10-15% better everywhere) real NBA players are focusing to realistic gameplay and smooth animations. Everything else are only ‘addition’.
To Nba Live 2010: Back to basics…again!
October 16, 2008 at 10:11 am
Hey Pasta, thanks for taking the offensive gamertag pic down(Blackface).
October 16, 2008 at 10:18 am
More commentary on the NBA games…disappointing.
October 16, 2008 at 10:25 am
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.
October 16, 2008 at 10:32 am
[quote comment="42220"]Having played both 2K and Live this year, I can’t agree with the “comparable” statement, Pasta. I’ll give Live the broader feature set and the prettier graphics, but the gameplay still doesn’t hold a candle to 2K in my opinion.[/quote]
I wouldn’t say Live’s graphics are better. Live has good lighting but 2K’s overall graphics are better. From the player models, the face, the crowd, etc…Live’s player models are off (thighs skinnier than calves WTF?) & the players have this cartoony zombie look to them
October 16, 2008 at 10:52 am
@Josh: I think it’s a toss-up. I like the stadiums in Live better. And when it comes to player faces I think it’s a toss up. 2K nails some and Live nails some but neither have the complete package. The blurry courts in 2K are a bother and can be distracting during gameplay.
Player model proportions definitely goes to 2K. As does movement.
I guess when I say I was giving prettier graphics to Live it was meant more as Live’s got a bit more polish to it. Everything feels cleaner in Live. And one of these days, 2K really needs some professionals to design their menus. Their usability is nice, but good grief they look like garbage.
October 16, 2008 at 10:58 am
For those finding NBA Live a little too easy, check out my sliders in the PastaPadre Forums
October 16, 2008 at 10:58 am
[quote comment="42256"]@Josh: I think it’s a toss-up. I like the stadiums in Live better. And when it comes to player faces I think it’s a toss up. 2K nails some and Live nails some but neither have the complete package. The blurry courts in 2K are a bother and can be distracting during gameplay.
Player model proportions definitely goes to 2K. As does movement.
I guess when I say I was giving prettier graphics to Live it was meant more as Live’s got a bit more polish to it. Everything feels cleaner in Live. And one of these days, 2K really needs some professionals to design their menus. Their usability is nice, but good grief they look like garbage.[/quote]
I don’t have a problem with blurry courts in 2K. I guess it depends on what type of tv you have. I have a 52 inch 1080p Sony Bravia XBR4 & it looks great on my tv.
October 16, 2008 at 11:00 am
[quote comment="42247"]To J-Claw: I agree, they have Iggy, Nash, Garnett for the ‘other side’ online feature. Hard to imagine, that they do not fix these technical issues, they shall loose a lot of money otherwise.
To Pasta: Live is better here or there, but according to the sales (almost 3times more saled copies for 2k in the 1st week), and the gamer site reviews (2k9 is at least 10-15% better everywhere) real NBA players are focusing to realistic gameplay and smooth animations. Everything else are only ‘addition’.
To Nba Live 2010: Back to basics…again![/quote]
man I was playing live at my friends house the game play not that bad not better then 2k even 2k gameplay starting to feel stale, but i will tell say for a fact the play calling live makes 2k9 system look like joke, Are they even gonna patch some the stuff wrong in 2k9 I don’t got time to tweak a million sliders just so I can make a game that’s hype up to be the most realistic game play realistic.
Pasta so you have any news on Fight Night thats a game worth waiting for.
October 16, 2008 at 11:35 am
I swear U dudes are DETERMINED 2 compare Joe Johnson 2 KOBE WHYYYYYY???
go compare joe 2 iggy leave KOBE out of it cuz he AIN’T deer
(& HONESTLY I don’t see him eva gettin deer)
@Madden4life I was out holdin my block down even wen da cops round dey talk about da KID EVEN wen i’m NOT round
@Black Flags is dat U BANDIT if it is good look makin da switch cuz U was soundin Pro Live last time I talked 2 U
October 16, 2008 at 11:47 am
I have a brand new LG HDTV 47″ 1080p as my gaming TV, and 2K hasn’t looked as sharp as the screen shots, once again, my point proven that its an artist rendition, but it’s definitely a huge improvement over last year. I hope they continue to improve it next year as well.
October 16, 2008 at 11:53 am
ur point ain’t proven cuz deer are far more people vouchin dta it does look like those screens dan NOT ur basically like da only 1 I hear or should I say see sayin dat
which don’t mean much wen itz damn near 1 outta of a HUNDRED
October 16, 2008 at 12:07 pm
actually sdot, there have been people who have made the same point, but you just choose to dismiss it because you think you’re all knowing, but you’re just a big joke on here that no one will ever take serious. I’m writing this knowing your going to use ebonics as a comeback, along with a rap verse, and talk about repping the streets, so let save some time….OWNED
October 16, 2008 at 12:12 pm
JR & Sdot crack me up with the back & forth. Keep it going because it’s entertaining & I’m at work sitting in front of a computer all day so it’s makes the time go by faster. Lol.
October 16, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Does anyone know if I would be able to create ricky rubio and put him on spains national team or if that can be updated. That would suck if they dont at least put him in when he is 18. He is really good. How is live 09 going to put amare stoudamire on USA and he didnt even play at all in the olypics, along with carlos boozer, lol , but they dont put in a badass like ricky rubio who played in every game in the olympics
October 16, 2008 at 12:40 pm
[quote comment="42274"]Does anyone know if I would be able to create ricky rubio and put him on spains national team or if that can be updated. That would suck if they dont at least put him in when he is 18. He is really good. How is live 09 going to put amare stoudamire on USA and he didnt even play at all in the olypics, along with carlos boozer, lol , but they dont put in a badass like ricky rubio who played in every game in the olympics[/quote]
I think there basing it off the Fiba roster team not the official olympic team, and boozer is suppose to b on the team.
October 16, 2008 at 12:42 pm
wuteva cabrilo my NEW name is JUST da FACTS so i’m gonna stick wit dat
FACT is deer are 4 more who agree dey look just as good dan those dat DON’T
i’m givin U REAL TALK NO MADE UP BULL SH……
FACT is Live is still way behind 2K
FACT is people hav made it clear which game is BETTA by spendin deer $$$ on 2K9 instead of Live which is FUNNY / Significant
cuz Live has done ALL da ADVERTISEMENT from droppin a demo a month early 2 airing commercials every 25mins (here on da east coast) & YET dey still couldn’t fool da fans into Believing dat Live was BACK
say wut U want but da #’s S-P-E-A-K 4 deer self
October 16, 2008 at 12:42 pm
[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.
October 16, 2008 at 12:48 pm
P.S. dat OWN’D ISH is HO MO
Y would a GROWN MAN say I OWN another man
dat sound like sumthin BEST left 2 da BITTIES
hope U don’t say dat ISH in public ova deer talkin bout I OWN’D him last night
PAUSE
ILL U GAY
October 16, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Ricky rubio did play for spain in 2007 and boozer did for USA if I remember correctly. I wonder why the rosters are a little off
October 16, 2008 at 12:56 pm
[quote comment="42286"]P.S. dat OWN’D ISH is HO MO
Y would a GROWN MAN say I OWN another man
dat sound like sumthin BEST left 2 da BITTIES
hope U don’t say dat ISH in public ova deer talkin bout I OWN’D him last night
PAUSE
ILL U GAY[/quote]
ok i could give a rats ass which game is better but god lord do you get paid by 2ksports cause u do a hell of a job advertising 4 them.
October 16, 2008 at 12:57 pm
[quote comment="42272"]actually sdot, there have been people who have made the same point, but you just choose to dismiss it because you think you’re all knowing, but you’re just a big joke on here that no one will ever take serious. I’m writing this knowing your going to use ebonics as a comeback, along with a rap verse, and talk about repping the streets, so let save some time….OWNED
[/quote]
lol owned
October 16, 2008 at 1:09 pm
@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
October 16, 2008 at 1:09 pm
[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.
October 16, 2008 at 1:21 pm
[quote comment="42258"]For those finding NBA Live a little too easy, check out my sliders in the PastaPadre Forums
[/quote]
IT STILL IS A SORRY GAME! SO STOP TRYING TO SAVE NBA LIVE!!!!!
October 16, 2008 at 1:32 pm
[quote comment="42266"]I swear U dudes are DETERMINED 2 compare Joe Johnson 2 KOBE WHYYYYYY???
go compare joe 2 iggy leave KOBE out of it cuz he AIN’T deer
(& HONESTLY I don’t see him eva gettin deer)
@Madden4life I was out holdin my block down even wen da cops round dey talk about da KID EVEN wen i’m NOT round
@Black Flags is dat U BANDIT if it is good look makin da switch cuz U was soundin Pro Live last time I talked 2 U[/quote]
NALL SDOT I DONT KNOW YOU! MY NAME IS D.BANK$ LIVE FROM DA 305 BABY DADE COUNTY MAFIA! LOOK ME UP ON XBOX LIVE: GAMERTAG(BLACKFLAGZ10)! REAL TALK 2K9 IS SERIOUS AS HELL! THE PROBLEMS PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT ARE ONLINE ISSUES NOT THE FULL GAME! IF YOU PLAY AGAINST YA BOYZ OR DA CPU NONE OF THAT STUFF HAPPENS UNLIKE NBA LIVE OR MADDEN(WORST GAME THIS YEAR) THEIR GAMEPLAY ISSUES ARE SOOOOOOOOOOO OBVIOUS EVEN WHEN YOU ARE NOT ONLINE! SO SOLUTION 4 DA PROBLEM PLAY OFFLINE UNTIL THE GAME IS PATCHED LIKE I DO OR ELSE CAN IT AND PLAY SOMETHING HORRIBLE LIKE MADDEN 09 OR NBA! I BET AFTER YOUR GET THREW 1QUARTER YOU WILL APPRECIATE 2K MORE! F**K EA IM DONE WIT YALL! EXCEPT FOR NCAA IN MY EYES DAT WAS DA BEST GAME REALESED BY EA THIS YEAR BESIDES TIGER WOODS( AND ITS BAD CUZ GOLF AINT EVEN A REAL SPORT)! MY TOP 5 GAMES: 1. NBA 2K9, 2. NCAA 2009, 3. CALL OF DUTY 4, 4. GEARS OF WAR, 5. NBA LIVE 09 (SIKE) HAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHA GOT CHA EA FANBOTS! OH YEA PASTA SORRY IF I HURT YA FEELINGS YOU KNOW HOW YOU EA FANBOTS GET WEN PEOPLE TALK DOWN ON YA GAMES! GO GET THAT NEW T-PAIN MIXTAPE CALLED ” PREE-RINGS” IT’S FIRE TRUST ME!
October 16, 2008 at 1:34 pm
[quote comment="42271"]ur point ain’t proven cuz deer are far more people vouchin dta it does look like those screens dan NOT ur basically like da only 1 I hear or should I say see sayin dat
which don’t mean much wen itz damn near 1 outta of a HUNDRED[/quote]
SDOT IM FEELIN DAT AVATAR KOBE GOT NUTZ ON SUM FOOL HEAD HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! BUT I MUST SAY LEBRON DOES IT BETTER! GO CAVS! BUT IM A CHICAGO BULLS FAN I JUST LOVE LEBRON JAMES SWAGGER ON DA COURT!