News Post

NBA Live 09 Review

04:39 PM - October 7, 2008 by RaychelSnr

We have posted our review of NBA Live 09.

Quote:


	"At one time, NBA Live was the king of basketball games. Not only was the game the best around quality-wise, but it also sold in large numbers to anxious fans nationwide. As of late, the Live series has fallen on hard times. The game still sells well, but the first two editions on next-gen consoles were atrocious. NBA Live 08 began to bring the series out of the gutter, but there was still plenty of work to do. Enter NBA Live 09."

NBA Live 09 screenshot gallery - Click to view

Game: NBA Live 09Reader Score: 7/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS2 / PS3 / PSP / Xbox 360Votes for game: 38 - View All

NBA Live 09 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 JDK @ 10/07/08 04:55 PM

Great Review.
I think next year live should think about revamping the entire game. The graphical style seems a bit unrealistic, surreal even. Many of the players look angry all the time and the stadium lighting is off. I played the demo and I agree with everything the review said here.

# 2 PaulZweber @ 10/07/08 05:29 PM

Thanks for the review guys!

# 3 Tri-State Killa @ 10/07/08 05:31 PM

Im seriously considering returning this piece of s h i t game called 2K9 and getting nba live,all it does is freeze for me and the cpu makes almost every single shot;even jumpshot with Kendrick Perkins it a joke

# 4 dubplate @ 10/07/08 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tri-State Killa


	Im seriously considering returning this piece of s h i t game called 2K9 and getting nba live,all it does is freeze for me and the cpu makes almost every single shot;even jumpshot with Kendrick Perkins it a joke

So far I've only played the demo for Live and 2K, but 2K feels like the same old game and it just bores me to tears. After playing nothing but 2K basketball since the Dreamcast I purchased Live this year after the demo impressed me. I can't wait to finish my work tonight and play a game.

# 5 PaulZweber @ 10/07/08 05:44 PM

^ Play defense. You can't leave people open because, just like in the NBA everyone can shoot. If you are looking for an arcade game that will be easier to play at first, and not as much fun later, then get Live. If you want a game that will be tough to play for the first few games, then exponentially better later, get 2k9. Either that or try turning the difficulty down until you start to master the controls. I wouldn't advise getting Live because 2k9 freezes, I have had more problem with EA games freezing and making my xbox LOUD than any other games. What console do you play on that it keeps freezing?

# 6 asu666 @ 10/07/08 05:47 PM

I think a lot of EA's issues go back to the game engines they develop. 2K's seem to have better movement and place more emphasis on details like jersey numbers on bench play uniforms, or players stepping up on the sideline as a back breaks one down the line for a touchdown. Even comparing NHL 09 to 2K9 it is clear that 2K9 has the ability to show players line changing and the devs thought enough to include board play and early stick movement on face offs. EA puts too many resources into a few aspects of the game to the detriment of the total experience.

# 7 Tri-State Killa @ 10/07/08 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulZweber


	^ Play defense. You can't leave people open because, just like in the NBA everyone can shoot. If you are looking for an arcade game that will be easier to play at first, and not as much fun later, then get Live. If you want a game that will be tough to play for the first few games, then exponentially better later, get 2k9. Either that or try turning the difficulty down until you start to master the controls. I wouldn't advise getting Live because 2k9 freezes, I have had more problem with EA games freezing and making my xbox LOUD than any other games. What console do you play on that it keeps freezing?

You dont understand the cpu will just bury 3s in your face;even if you leave guys that cant shoot open like Kendrick Perkins they make it.Im talking about 2K9.

Also It freezes constantly,wtf did I waste my money on a game I cant even play online cause of freezing issues;So frustrated.

# 8 PaulZweber @ 10/07/08 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tri-State Killa


	You dont understand the cpu will just bury 3s in your face;even if you leave guys that cant shoot open like Kendrick Perkins they make it.Im talking about 2K9. Also It freezes constantly,wtf did I waste my money on a game I cant even play online cause of freezing issues;So frustrated.

That is what I am saying, don't leave people open. Perkins is not a shooter in any means, but he can make a wide open jumper. The freezing, don't know what to tell you bud.

# 9 sithlord06 @ 10/07/08 06:18 PM

I played NBA live 09 demo and the only thing I liked was the ball handling control. I played the Lakers-Celtics demo and the animations were choppy and glitchy, totally non-fluid. Its time that EA Sports takes this game back to the lab and trash it. Start from scratch and develop a more fluid engine like they had to do with Madden in 08. NBA 2K9 is a far more realistic sim game and the animations are true to life of the actual player, its just a better game, everything looks real and is authentic.

# 10 farazz @ 10/07/08 06:43 PM

i have the p3 verion and the replays keep getting stuck and move at hrribl frame rate and chris did u have this prob ar did anyoone else

# 11 Da Birthday Boy @ 10/07/08 08:27 PM

Are you saying 2K has better graphics? Biased?

# 12 ILLSmak @ 10/07/08 08:30 PM

Well, sliders are good for offline play, but it's important that online ranked play is 'perfect' or pretty close to it. You can change sliders in your franchise to make it more fun, but online you want a level playing field.

That being said, I thought this was a good review and I think both Live and 2k are about the same this year. It's just a matter of what you wanna play. As unbelievable as it sounds.... LIVE IS MORE SIM THAN 2K THIS YEAR. wow.

-Smak

# 13 FranchiseBoi101 @ 10/07/08 09:13 PM

its been confirmed on the 2ksports fourm that online problems will be fixed soon for those who get screen freezes when playing online.

# 14 Steve_OS @ 10/07/08 09:45 PM

Don't forget to give your reader score.

# 15 rckabillyRaider @ 10/07/08 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sithlord06


	I played NBA live 09 demo and the only thing I liked was the ball handling control. I played the Lakers-Celtics demo and the animations were choppy and glitchy, totally non-fluid. Its time that EA Sports takes this game back to the lab and trash it. Start from scratch and develop a more fluid engine like they had to do with Madden in 08. NBA 2K9 is a far more realistic sim game and the animations are true to life of the actual player, its just a better game, everything looks real and is authentic.

I did not like the demo much either. I thought it felt kinda stiff and choppy. But when I went to purchase 2k9 a few days early, my shop only had Live 09 early and I just bought for the hell of it. Man am I happy I did! IT is awesome and much better than the demo and I dont even think I will buy 2k this year. I would recommend it.

# 16 marc68 @ 10/07/08 10:04 PM

After reading this review...I dont think I can get Live.

# 17 Tri-State Killa @ 10/08/08 01:11 AM

I dont know why 2K went and made their game so offensive minded.I never liked to play against the cpu cause online is much more appealing to me, but because my game freezes everytime I try to search for a match,I have to put up with the cpu making almost every shot and make finger rolls and dunks in traffic

# 18 tabulaRasa @ 10/08/08 03:28 AM

so, Live�s breakthrough year comes out decent (again) , what a surprise. Every year is "THE YEAR FOR LIVE" and still.... it�s so funny....

I still wonder why some guys buy Live or 2K.

# 19 tabulaRasa @ 10/08/08 03:31 AM

hey Dave374 , anyone who is a Live fan after all these pathetic years , and this year�s mediocre game is a fanboy.

# 20 bring back nfl2k @ 10/08/08 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.Statuto


	I have NBA 2K9, and since there isn't a comment board for me to preach about how great this game is, I'll do it here. NBA Live 09 is a joke, and to quote cdiddy, I don't know anyone who would enjoy playin nba live except maybe my girlfriend nephews. NBA Live is joke. To be fair2k is tough as ** right now. I'm gettin blown out every game!!! On starter, im not complaining, the computer is making the right plays, the right people are takin the right shots. I'm trying to adjust and get a feel for the post game, something im tryna add to my game before I go online. The practice feature for 2k is amazing as well. The practice mode is where I spend about 95% of my time when playing 2k, like im really in the preason, for once inna sports game, the practice mode, actually has you practicing. I love 2k9, so for all you suckers whining about how you think 2k sucks, get a copy of live and then see if in 1 week your not ready to break that **, live is crap and even though its better than last years live, its still not better than any nba 2k i have ever played. live is about gimmicks. Lastly, I sed this before and I'll say it again, Playing live is a lot like an ameteur athelete tryna get it right(think d-league) and NBA 2k is the professional that doesn't get it wrong (think the NBA).

I couldnt agree more, NBA 2k9 is challenging I bairely beat the knicks using my Nuggets and got beat down by the Blazers, (superstar setting) you just gotta learn how to play real basketball to win in 2k9, anybody who can honestly say that NBA Live is better than 2k is in just plain denial or just Loves EA cause there is no comparison I actually think that the rating given was a little to high LIve is pure trash.

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