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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
NBA 2K9

Generally favorable reviews
Based on 32 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 30 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
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.
Read Full Review >MEGamers
A wonderfully done basketball game by 2K Sports that is worth all the money and time you will invest in it.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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).
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Planet Xbox 360
NBA 2K9 is an amazing title that is just a little spit and polish away from perfection.
Read Full Review >PALGN
Simple flaws aside, NBA 2K9's solid gameplay shine above the rest, assuring that the series lifts the championship banner into the rafters for at least another year.
Read Full Review >Worth Playing
If you are a hardcore basketball simulation player who enjoys not only managing your favorite team through several seasons but playing against like-minded people as well, you probably already have NBA 2K9. If not, go and grab it now. Until NBA 2K10 hits, this will be the best basketball sim you'll ever play.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Meristation
2K Sports carefully crafted the best basketball game in recent times. It was difficult to improve last year's entry, but they worked hard and launched an even better game. Gameplay-wise, it's quite similar to 2K8, but now it's more fluid, more complex and with the new DNA feature, that lets you customize your players. Let the new season begin!
Read Full Review >Official Xbox Magazine
Realistic animations anchor that gameplay. When LeBron drives the lane and fades away for a jumper in the paint, or when Tony Parker stumbles around a pick, every elbow, jersey, and sweatband organically articulates their momentum.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
The star feature of NBA 2K9 is the Association, the best franchise mode across every sports title.
Read Full Review >GameZone
NBA 2K9 is hands down the best basketball title this year. Aside from its few technical flaws, you can’t get go wrong with adding NBA 2K9 to your collection.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
Impressive basketball sim that manages to be instantly accessible. [Christmas 2008, p.76]
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >TeamXbox
There’s still some work to do in the presentation and gameplay mechanics departments, but NBA 2K9 should be considered yet another slam dunk for the Xbox’s hoop stalwarts, but one perhaps thrown down with less authority than in recent years.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
NBA 2K9's game is strong, but most of its new features won't be appreciated by the average Joe.
Read Full Review >Gamer.nl
The game is an excellent new addition to the series despite the fact that it knows little innovation. The gameplay goes deep and demands from the gamer some form of commitment. If you're willing to give these extra miles than you will experience a great basketballgame with superb plays.
Read Full Review >X360 Magazine UK
Too close to call between NBA Live, do you prefer gameplay or visuals? Stats or modes? Ah, the age-old question for sports fans. It really depends on what you prefer and how you play.
Read Full Review >DarkStation
NBA 2K9 comes as another solid outing for 2K Sports, its not a huge leap forward like some of us would expect.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Game Chronicles
Both games have lots of upside and are well worth the investment if you are interested in a basketball game. Unfortunately for 2K Sports, I would have to give EA the advantage for this year though. It’s not by much, but I just found myself enjoying Live a little more than 2K9.
Read Full Review >Xbox360Achievements
Decent game modes that really aren’t that complicated. The annoying 2K menus are back but the options are numerous. Statistic lovers will enjoy the amount they get by looking at player cards and overall season stats. Easy enough to get into a game and flows well enough throughout.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 30 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Job A gave it a9:
wow,Its really amazing how far the 2K franchize has came over the years from nba 2k on the Dreamcast.This is definetly the best basketball game ever made and I cant wait to see how it evolves over the next 10 years.I give it a 9.6
Leo R gave it a10:
I agree Iall the previous 10 ratings. I have been playing basketball video games since Double Dribble, and I can say this is probably the funnest one I've ever played. The visuals, controls, and presentations all greatly exceeded my expectations.
Ben O gave it a0:
This game was realeased half finished. Serious glitches in both online and offline gameplay most often resulting in a frozen console. 2k Sports have a lot to answer for on this one!
jon smith gave it a0:
graphics were a real let down compared with nba live, gameplay is languid, ratings of players are ridiculous kb24 is over 100, need i say more
NBA Oz gave it a10:
This is the best basketball game I have ever played. Pretty much everything has been improved from NBA 2k8. Better graphics, bug fixes, more realistic and lively crowd. I don't know how they could possibly improve on this game next year except for maybe adding Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan to the legend teams:-) Highly recommended!
Roger M. gave it an8:
Yes its seems 2K is now developing former EA fanboys into 2K fanboys. GJ. The game is excellent but by no means leaps and bounds, with its predestined ball handling control scheme, get rid of the SHOT STICK, and give me the option to drive how and where i want to based on my opponents defense.
John M. gave it a10:
I rate IGN review a 5/10 for not including the other features in the game like multiplayer, shot stick and other advanced moves. IGN released a rushed and incomplete review for the sake of releasing a review first.
