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NBA 2K9

EMAIL PRINT ps3

7.1 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 30 critic reviews
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Based on 34 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: 2K Sports

Developer: Visual Concepts

Genre(s): Sports, Basketball

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: October 7, 2008

Summary

Improved facial and skin textures, better uniforms, improved eye movement and more realistic crowd reactions bring the game alive like never before. Analyst Clark Kellogg and sideline reporter Cheryl Miller join color commentator Kevin Harlan to create one of the most knowledgeable broadcast teams in the game. End each quarter with enhanced, multiple angle replay highlights, and be rewarded like never before with all-new, true-to-life celebration sequences after you capture the NBA championship. [2K Sports]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: NBA 2K6 NBA 2K7 NBA 2K8

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

1UP

The game shines particularly bright in the Total Team Control mode, which allows you to hook up online with nine other players for 5-on-5 basketball. This mode simulates the experience of playing an actual game of basketball more closely than any videogame I've played.

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MEGamers

A wonderfully done basketball game by 2K Sports that is worth all the money and time you will invest in it.

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Gaming Age

2K seems very comfortable with their winning formula - they've got a game that plays and looks great that improves a little each year. They've succeeded in adding wrinkles that do what should be the #1 goal of anyone who makes sports games: They stay out of the way.

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GamerNode

Everything about NBA 2K9 blows NBA Live 09 out of the water. If you're a basketball fan, NBA 2K9 is the game to get this season.

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GameSpy

This game delivers where it needs to, offering the most realistic NBA experience to date. Heck, even free-throw shooting means memorizing the shooting styles of different NBA players (a feature we really like, by the way).

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Games Radar (in-house)

NBA 2K9 is the closest thing yet we’ve seen to a total hoops package. Other than a few minor quibbles – the visuals get choppy during the cutscenes between play and the Blacktop mode is a throwaway collection of uninteresting minigames – we’re utterly delighted with 2K’s latest ode to the hardwood.

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NZGamer

With the insight and dedication the makers of NBA 2K9 have applied to their franchise, dunking from my couch has never been more fun, more rewarding or closer to the real thing.

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3DJuegos

NBA 2K9 achieves another success offering a title that justifies its new purchase. Essential for basket fans, it's again the finest virtual representation of that sport.

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PSX Extreme

In comparison to last year’s title, 2K’s 09 effort presents a faster, smoother, livelier, and perhaps most importantly, an even more accessible and realistic depiction of basketball.

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GamingXP

Just another sequel for a lot of money? Yes and no. You can find improvements concerning graphics, handling and feeling, but you won’t find real innovation.

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GameFocus

Yes, NBA 2K9 is great. While Living Rosters and Five-on-Five online are noteworthy additions to the franchise, the game doesn’t feature much new stuff besides those two options. Instead, Visual Concepts tweaked, improved and continued to build upon several aspects the franchise has been accustomed to deliver year after year. It’s definitely good to see the improvement especially after the less-stellar 2K8. NBA 2K9 is the closest you will get to the NBA world and it’s definitely worth every penny.

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TotalPlayStation

Basketball gameplay in NBA 2K9 is second to none of 2K Sports' competitors.

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IGN

Refined gameplay that captures the speed of the NBA game without reverting to being an arcade title. A few annoyances here and there are all that hold this one back from a guaranteed spot in the Hall.

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Game Informer

With its realistic animations, solid controls, and ambitious Association mode, NBA 2K9 makes its title run once again. But the competition is stiffening, and next year needs to bring significant leaps forward with online play and the low-post game if 2K wants to make it 10 in a row.

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ZTGameDomain

The Association mode is making a case for the best franchise mode in the entire genre, and the on court gameplay is mostly very solid. With some tweaks to the post play, and an overhauled menu system, next years' version has the potential to be a truly outstanding title.

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GameTrailers

Casual hoops players aren't going to be wowed with this latest iteration of NBA 2K9, but it's meant to satisfy those who live and breathe basketball, as the improvements in the AI and atmosphere alone are sure to tickle the inner twine of dedicated fans.

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Game Over Online

NBA 2K is still the standard for basketball gameplay, and if you're wondering which title to go with this year, NBA 2K9 is your choice.

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PSM3 Magazine UK

The slickest and toughest basketball game of the year. [Dec 2008, p.84]

Worth Playing

This is a game designed and built for hardcore fans, and it's not going to waste any time concerning itself with anyone who doesn't "get it." To be perfectly blunt, the game is very, very hard, and most decidedly not for everyone, especially if you aren't an NBA superfan or a longtime franchise devotee.

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Cheat Code Central

Whereas Live 09 offers similar new features, 2K has the ability to back up their new features with smooth on-court gameplay. This is simply a more fun basketball experience.

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Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)

However you're playing the game, at whatever difficulty level, in single-player franchise mode, in quick games, or online in the promised five-on-five multiplayer games, NBA 2K9 looks like basketball does on your TV. [Dec 2008, p.94]

GameDaily

Factor in the terrible menu navigation, and 2K9 has more problems than the Charlotte Bobcats. However, its five-on-five online play, updated Association mode and enjoyable hoops action still makes it a slam dunk.

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GameSpot

NBA 2K9's game is strong, but most of its new features won't be appreciated by the average Joe.

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Playstation Official Magazine UK

Where it counts, 2K9 is hard to fault. [Dec 2008, p.121]

DailyGame

Still the best NBA game you can play, without question. However, the lack of new features may prevent it from being a slam dunk worthy of your $60.

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Playstation Official Magazine Australia

A jazzy, jiving b-ball package, but too similar to 2K8. [Christmas 2008, p.82]

Gameplanet

If you're a dedicated NBA fan then there might just be enough here to keep you occupied. If not, there are better alternatives on the market.

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GameShark

The Association mode is a very deep simulation experience that should satisfy most simulation fans. There's a wealth of information available and the ability to customize the league and determine how much control the owner has over the team.

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Play UK

While this will probably be embraced by the fans, it’s just a little too realistic for its own good, and as such isn’t as fun as it could be. Anyone considering looking for a change could start this year.

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PS3bloggen.se

Newcomers beware. If you're not familiar with 2K's basketball games you'll need to spend an awful amount of hours to get into shape. Apart from the online and quickplay modes there isn't much to look forward to, and this years iteration will only satisfy old fans of the series.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.1 (out of 10) based on 34 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Deepak N. gave it a0:
I AGREE WITH CLEVELAND O. This game freezes up my ps3 everytime i try to go online. When will thi sproblem be fixed???? if it's not by next week im returning it and switching to nba Live. How can a problem as big as that happen this day in age???

JayDu gave it an8:
Honestly this game has made improvement from 2k8. Low Post Game really sucks gumballs, but overall though the game is really up to par. EA is falling of greatly compared to the 2k series.

Aida O. gave it a9:
Being previously a live player, I was at first disappointed in my switch to 2k. The menus suck, and the general feel is not good. However, the gameplay is SOOO much better than Live. Not a dunk fest and much more difficult to play. First game, on pro mode I hung with the opp but struggled as the game went on and the AI adjusted to my play. At least it is a challenge unlike Live. Tried the assoc mode and picked up Pierce, Rondo, R.Davis, McDyess, Bogut and some good role players. Obviously didn't take enough notice of the cap so I'm stuck with some long contracts. Overall, I'm now glad I made the switch even after playing only 3-4 games.

Lenny C gave it a9:
Great game. Def. better than live. Graphics aren't quite up to par with its rival, however gameplay and features are WAY better in 2K. Association 2.0 is great. 'east sideeee we readdyy, we readddyyy'.

Robert C. gave it an8:
This is definitely a game for the major basketball fanatic. The amount of depth that this game shows in the Association mode is crazy. The play calling is responsive and the ball handling is good as well. The game should only be played in 1080 or 720 resolution. Anything less will not do the graphics justice. The detail on the characters is well done although a few player models are off. The online needs a little work in the lobby department, but after the game is connected, it is a smooth experience. The blacktop modes could have been left out, but the best portions would have to be the dunk contest and 21. The three point shoot out, while simplified with just the player worrying about the shooting, is a little too simple once the timing is down. All in all, this is a great simulation basketball game with a few kinks that ultimately won't effect a great experience. A must buy!

Chris A gave it a0:
Do NOT buy this game on ps3. If you HAVE to buy this game, only get it for xbox360. Online mode will CRASH your system causing extreme risk to your system's hardware. The xbox360 version does not have this problem because of xbox live. Also, if you are excited about 5v5 gameplay online, forget it, there is no way all 10 people will stay in game without most, if not all, of the players' systems crashing. After 3 days of user's systems freezing, 2k sports has done nothing to alleviate the problem, showing that they are not dedicated to their fan base. DO NOT BUY THIS GAME.

MArk M. gave it a10:
THis game is a lot better than the 09. Its contorls are very nice and the free throws are easy. Seriously i can hit almost every freethrow on perfect release except for those players with the "messed up" motion. 10 out of 10.XD

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NBA 2K9

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