NBA Showdown
Oct 8, 2008
Leave the tailgate buffets to the football fatties and let the baseball nerds pore over stats - if you've got a basketball jones, go ahead and scratch that itch by picking up a new NBA video game. Three competing products are hoping for a contract -- NBA Live '09, NBA 2K9 and NBA 09: The Inside -- making it another difficult year for b-ball gamers holding draft rights.
So which of these studs is worth your lottery pick? That depends on the kind of team you're trying to build. Before you sign the wrong game, check out our basketball breakdown:
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NBA Live 09
Publisher: EA
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, PSP
Scouting Report
Despite a sluggish start on the next-gen consoles -- those first two efforts were as fun as running wind sprints -- EA's best-selling baller got back on track last year, and looks to go even bigger with Live 09. Sacrificing hardcore depth for above-the-rim hops, it emphasizes fast, energetic gameplay for fast, energetic gamers.
Roll The Highlights...
Sick of trying to match your gaming experience to the real deal? Then you'll fall head over heels for Dynamic DNA and NBA Live 365. Using data from official NBA stat tracker Synergy Sports Technology, the game ensures that it will mirror the real-life events of the NBA season by routinely downloading new info. Provided you're online, the game will update itself on a daily basis with every injury, every hot streak, and every trade, even noting subtle changes in the way players play. So if the real D-Wade starts going to his left a lot, his digital counterpart will, too. Improved playcalling, excellent commentary by Marv Albert and Steve Kerr and a ton of modes round out a solid year for a solid player.
That's A Foul!
It's a little hard to tell how the Dynamic DNA thing will work until the season really gets rolling. And few changes to the generally arcadey gameplay itself (translation: it's a dunk fest) keep it from rising above the sim stylings of NBA 2K9.
Sign or trade?
Sign it, especially if you like your basketball games fast and light. The more die-hard aficionados, though, should consider making some cap room for 2K9.
See NBA Live 09 ReviewsNext Page >>
NBA 2K9
Publisher: 2K Sports
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PC
Scouting Report
EA's Live might be the best-seller, but the 2K franchise is routinely the best-rated. With great graphics and more moves than Rafer Alston, it's widely-regarded as the definitive basketball simulation for purists.
Roll The Highlights...
The deepest Franchise mode in the business -- dubbed The Association 2.0 -- goes even deeper with player ambitions, customizable everything and more robust contract signing features, including the controversial 'Bird Rights' that nearly torpedoed last year's Kidd/Mavericks trade. A beefy control system offers matchless opportunities for callous shaking, baking and ankle-breaking, while the analog shot stick allows you to choose your layup hand. They've also sped things up a little, and again, the spectacularly realistic graphics are unrivaled.
That's A Foul!
They haven't sped things up THAT much; 2K9 is still a significantly slower game than Live 09. 2K's Living Roster feature is clearly a response to EA's Dynamic DNA, but where EA promises to update daily, 2K will not likely match that level of detail, instead mostly focusing on the major deals and major players. And while we appreciate the massive moves list, pulling off some of the cooler jukes requires impossibly dexterous digits.
Sign Or Trade?
If you're reading this, you like basketball a lot and therefore should probably sign 2K9 without hesitation. But newbies, know that a faster, easier game can be found in EA's baller.
See NBA 2K9 ReviewsNext Page >>
NBA 09: The Inside
Publisher: Sony
Platforms: PS3, PS2, PSP
Scouting Report
Find it odd that we haven't been talking much about Sony's game? That's because it's been a bench warmer for years now, unable to match the graphical or gameplay bar set by the competition. Will the 09 edition be any different?
Roll The Highlights...
If you're going to be the odd man out, you might as well make yourself as odd as possible. NBA 09: The Inside does just that with its interesting 'The Life' story mode, which lets you take an aspiring b-ball star through the rigors of the projects and the D-League in an effort to hit it big as an NBA champ. Cinematic cut scenes and loads of dialogue make this one of the weirdest sports experiences in ages, though The Inside also boasts plenty of other ways to play and tracks your overall progress much like a role-playing game.
That's A Foul!
Just ask KG -- without good fundamentals, all the style in the world won't get you a ring. Though it's plenty fast, NBA 09: The Inside stumbles with its glitchy gameplay. Players don't animate smoothly and the faces look a bit...off. While we appreciate the effort of 'The Life', the tame, stereotypical storytelling is more Duncan than Rodman -- and for once, that's not a good thing.
Sign Or Trade?
The free agent pool has two much brighter prospects, both of which are available for the PS3. So unless you own stock in Sony, trade, trade, trade.
See NBA 09: The Inside Previews<< First Page
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