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NBA 2K9

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8.2 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 32 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 29 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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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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Planet Xbox 360

NBA 2K9 is an amazing title that is just a little spit and polish away from perfection.

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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.

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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.

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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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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!

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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.

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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

The star feature of NBA 2K9 is the Association, the best franchise mode across every sports title.

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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.

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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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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.

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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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WonderwallWeb

A great basketball game though and highly recommended.

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Official Xbox Magazine UK

This is b-ball for the hardcore. You know it!

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Team Xbox

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.

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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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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.

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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.

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DarkStation

NBA 2K9 comes as another solid outing for 2K Sports, its not a huge leap forward like some of us would expect.

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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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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.

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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.

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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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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.2 (out of 10) based on 29 User Votes

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

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.

Frank gave it a10:
I played the 2k and live demos. Just going by the demo, 2k is far better than live and better than 2k8. The controls are a little tighter than last year. The player faces are incredible this year. It they chew gum on the court, they chew it in the game. The details are astounding.

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NBA 2K9

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