NBA 2K9 Dominates Basketball Sales

by pastapadre
Posted November 14th, 2008 at 8:15 pm

The full Top 20 in sales for October has been released by NPD. NBA 2K9 placed at #9 with the 360 version selling 202,000 copies while the PS3 version came in at #17. Not even the 360 version of NBA Live 09 was able to reach the Top 20.

This is a huge increase year over year for the NBA 2K series. 2K8 didn’t make the Top 10 last year meaning it sold less than 117,000 copies on the 360. While many sports titles haven’t seemed to grow much with increased user base clearly this isn’t the case here. 2K9 has practically doubled 2K8′s first month results.

For the sake of comparison with another 2K Sports title, MLB 2K8 (360) sold 237,000 in it’s first month. However that was as a console exclusive. If NBA 2K9 had been the only basketball title available on the 360 it probably would’ve sold more in the area of 300,000+.

While it is no surprise that 2K9 would outsell Live on the 360, I doubt many would’ve expected 2K9′s PS3 version to top Live’s 360 as well. This is generally what happens though when a game starts being widely regarded as the preferred choice. Despite 2K9 not having the flashy features or marketing push it appears to have widened the margin between the two. Next year will show whether all these new purchasers will be loyal ones or if some of the problems that have been experienced so far this year (primarily with online play) open things up for Live to regain some ground.

Tags: sales analysis

ReignMan

@ Josh:
“That is why 2k outsold Live this year.”

And that’s why 2k8 outsold live08,
that’s why 2k7 outsold live07.

They should learn from these lessons.
ReignMan

@ Josh:
“That is why 2k outsold Live this year.”

And that’s why 2k8 outsold live08,
that’s why 2k7 outsold live07.

They should learn from these lessons.
Sam

NBA 2K9 is the best NBA game I’ve played. I didn’t buy an NBA game last year, but I’m so glad I bought 2K9. I gave up on Live after 06. That game was pathetic.
Sam

NBA 2K9 is the best NBA game I’ve played. I didn’t buy an NBA game last year, but I’m so glad I bought 2K9. I gave up on Live after 06. That game was pathetic.
Sam

NBA 2K9 is the best NBA game I’ve played. I didn’t buy an NBA game last year, but I’m so glad I bought 2K9. I gave up on Live after 06. That game was pathetic.
BC

Justin tuck wrote:

BC are you 12? lol

So I’m a child, unable to understand the vast EA conspiracy that Pasta Padre is involved in that you can see clearly?
BC

Justin tuck wrote:

BC are you 12? lol

So I’m a child, unable to understand the vast EA conspiracy that Pasta Padre is involved in that you can see clearly?
BC

Justin tuck wrote:

BC are you 12? lol

So I’m a child, unable to understand the vast EA conspiracy that Pasta Padre is involved in that you can see clearly?
BC

ReignMan wrote:

@ BC:
BC, stop being rightous, You are the one, who is calling others an idiot. Pasta’s got his opinion, others has a different point of view. We disagree, but its primitive to call someone idiot for that.

I’m not saying having a differing opinion makes someone an idiot. I’m saying trying to shove a viewpoint onto someone and ridiculing anyone who disagrees with it makes a person an idiot. Whether that topic is religion, politics, or which basketball video game is the most fun. Pasta gets bashed here for trying to be fair and balanced. Is that not idiocy?
BC

ReignMan wrote:

@ BC:
BC, stop being rightous, You are the one, who is calling others an idiot. Pasta’s got his opinion, others has a different point of view. We disagree, but its primitive to call someone idiot for that.

I’m not saying having a differing opinion makes someone an idiot. I’m saying trying to shove a viewpoint onto someone and ridiculing anyone who disagrees with it makes a person an idiot. Whether that topic is religion, politics, or which basketball video game is the most fun. Pasta gets bashed here for trying to be fair and balanced. Is that not idiocy?
BC

ReignMan wrote:

@ BC:
BC, stop being rightous, You are the one, who is calling others an idiot. Pasta’s got his opinion, others has a different point of view. We disagree, but its primitive to call someone idiot for that.

I’m not saying having a differing opinion makes someone an idiot. I’m saying trying to shove a viewpoint onto someone and ridiculing anyone who disagrees with it makes a person an idiot. Whether that topic is religion, politics, or which basketball video game is the most fun. Pasta gets bashed here for trying to be fair and balanced. Is that not idiocy?
reapbo

i feel sorry for all those people that got nba2k9 that game sucks talk about give n money away $60 for a game that want let u play defense and da online play sucks. whole lot of people mad on this one. if u think im bullshit n go on youtube
reapbo

i feel sorry for all those people that got nba2k9 that game sucks talk about give n money away $60 for a game that want let u play defense and da online play sucks. whole lot of people mad on this one. if u think im bullshit n go on youtube
reapbo

i feel sorry for all those people that got nba2k9 that game sucks talk about give n money away $60 for a game that want let u play defense and da online play sucks. whole lot of people mad on this one. if u think im bullshit n go on youtube
rondoman

Online is the most overrated part of console gaming IMO.

Me and my friends never online game, at all. . . .

If EA would start to see this, as JOSH has mentioned in previous posts, than maybe they would actually work on the gameplay versus these stupid gimmicks.

But like someone else said, EA has been second to NBA 2K for how many years now, and they still don’t understand.

I won’t be holding my breath that EA actually “gets it” next year. . .
rondoman

Online is the most overrated part of console gaming IMO.

Me and my friends never online game, at all. . . .

If EA would start to see this, as JOSH has mentioned in previous posts, than maybe they would actually work on the gameplay versus these stupid gimmicks.

But like someone else said, EA has been second to NBA 2K for how many years now, and they still don’t understand.

I won’t be holding my breath that EA actually “gets it” next year. . .
rondoman

Online is the most overrated part of console gaming IMO.

Me and my friends never online game, at all. . . .

If EA would start to see this, as JOSH has mentioned in previous posts, than maybe they would actually work on the gameplay versus these stupid gimmicks.

But like someone else said, EA has been second to NBA 2K for how many years now, and they still don’t understand.

I won’t be holding my breath that EA actually “gets it” next year. . .
Justin tuck

I want an even playing field on NFL football games. wtf Goddell and Taligubue.
Justin tuck

I want an even playing field on NFL football games. wtf Goddell and Taligubue.
Justin tuck

I want an even playing field on NFL football games. wtf Goddell and Taligubue.
http://youtube.com/lorenzocastillo7 LorenzoAC7

Unless Live comes out with a game mode like NBA the life or something astounding I’m going to stick with 2k.
http://youtube.com/lorenzocastillo7 LorenzoAC7

Unless Live comes out with a game mode like NBA the life or something astounding I’m going to stick with 2k.
http://youtube.com/lorenzocastillo7 LorenzoAC7

Unless Live comes out with a game mode like NBA the life or something astounding I’m going to stick with 2k.
Jay Bishop

Actually this is the 1st year 2k has outsold live on 360 EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! look it up! if you doubt I can post the figures for you.
Jay Bishop

Actually this is the 1st year 2k has outsold live on 360 EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! look it up! if you doubt I can post the figures for you.
Jay Bishop

Actually this is the 1st year 2k has outsold live on 360 EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! look it up! if you doubt I can post the figures for you.
James

“Despite 2K9 not having the flashy features or marketing push it appears to have widened the margin between the two.”

If only EA could wake up and smell the sucess of 2k9… its about GAMEPLAY EA, not flashy features
James

“Despite 2K9 not having the flashy features or marketing push it appears to have widened the margin between the two.”

If only EA could wake up and smell the sucess of 2k9… its about GAMEPLAY EA, not flashy features
smokez4Dayz

As you can see, despite having online capabilties, most posters here treat online play like the third thing you do, first you can franchise, then play your buddies, and Third, go online and face Kobe or Lebron. I’ll take the second choice anyday.Online is better for fps games. or Gears over the shoulder style.
smokez4Dayz

As you can see, despite having online capabilties, most posters here treat online play like the third thing you do, first you can franchise, then play your buddies, and Third, go online and face Kobe or Lebron. I’ll take the second choice anyday.Online is better for fps games. or Gears over the shoulder style.
James

smokez4Dayz wrote:

As you can see, despite having online capabilties, most posters here treat online play like the third thing you do, first you can franchise, then play your buddies, and Third, go online and face Kobe or Lebron. I’ll take the second choice anyday.Online is better for fps games. or Gears over the shoulder style.

very true… although online sports game sounds interesting the only people i really want to play against are my friends, not some random guy online. Im a huge franchiser and thats why 2k9 has me hooked… now if only madden could improve their gameplay and renew their franchise i would actually buy it next year
James

smokez4Dayz wrote:

As you can see, despite having online capabilties, most posters here treat online play like the third thing you do, first you can franchise, then play your buddies, and Third, go online and face Kobe or Lebron. I’ll take the second choice anyday.Online is better for fps games. or Gears over the shoulder style.

very true… although online sports game sounds interesting the only people i really want to play against are my friends, not some random guy online. Im a huge franchiser and thats why 2k9 has me hooked… now if only madden could improve their gameplay and renew their franchise i would actually buy it next year
er4sale6

great to hear they put out a buged out game and still made money thats great.
er4sale6

great to hear they put out a buged out game and still made money thats great.
sean

unless they fix the OTP next year I will rent NBA LIVE 10 and see if it is worth buying over NBA 2k10 if its not i just wont get a basketball game.
sean

unless they fix the OTP next year I will rent NBA LIVE 10 and see if it is worth buying over NBA 2k10 if its not i just wont get a basketball game.