NBA 2K9 (Xbox 360, 2008)

This is easily one of the worst games ever made. Everything that is fundamental in the sport of basketball is absent from this game. Your AI teammates are so stupid and useless, it literally make me sick sometimes, and makes you feel like you're playing 1 vs. 5 the entire game. The game has the exact same gameplay issues that made NBA 2K8 such a digraceful game. Also, it has bugs/glitches that weren't even in NBA 2K8. No thought was put into this game and I seriously believe that the employees at Visual Concepts (the developers of this series) are mentally challenged.

Playing against computer is a horrible and pointless experience. Every team plays exactly the same, they all run the same plays, and they play near-perfect defense (even if their defensive awareness attributes are low). If you try to run a play to get around their overpowering defense, your AI teammates take days to get in the right positions, and even longer to execute the play. And even worse, sometimes your play cancels while you're running it, leaving you to start it over again, or force a quick shot because of the shot clock running out. Also, for some reason, the game is geared towards the computer winning. Your teammates allow them to attempt alleyoops, wide open layups, and jumpshots with no resistance at all. And, this happens almost EVERY possession. (For anyone who has played this junk, this is why the Point Guard always gets 10 assists).

And, the game is even more ridiculous when you play online. People constantly try to steal the ball, but often get rewarded instead of called for a reach-in foul. The small amount of strategy the game offers (situational lineups, playbooks, etc.), sometimes randomly dissappears when you start a game. Also, it is basically impossible to guard a player one on one, no matter what your player's On-Ball Defense attribute is. A player once isolated Trevor Ariza against Ron Artest and then Shane Battier and was able to easily blow by them.

They are a TON of other things wrong with this game that I haven't mentioned (players staring at loose balls, how slow the animations are, the unrealistic Association mode, etc.). But, just know that this is an embarrassment to the sport of basketball, the NBA, and video games in general.

Im a huge fan of NBA basketball, so I want the best experience when playing a video game. This is by far and away the best simulation style game there is. Im a franchise guy who likes to build his time over time and take a young team into a veteran team and become a dynasty. This game emulates that perfectly, you can sign players to contracts, mid level exceptions, no trade clauses for veterans, put upset players on the trade block. Lots of cool features, there are some nice online modes as well. If youre a graphics guy and strictly online player NBA Live is your game, but if you and some buddies want to get a multi- team franchise going the only way to do it is with NBA 2K9 Live has no multi-team franchise setting, only one user team. If youre looking for complete control over how your players shoot, in the post and perimeter 2k is it. Unlike live that is one button shoot, 2k lets you shoot how you want instead of it being a preset animation like it is with live. Thats another thing that bugs me about live, no control over the shooter, too arcade for my taste. 2K really is the better of the 2 main NBA titles this year. I highly recommend you buy this over live. Graphics can only go so far, game play is whats most important.

The undisputed NBA franchise is back for its 10th season. Last year NBA 2K8 was the top selling basketball game on Xbox 360, and the NBA 2K series has been the #1 rated NBA simulation for six years running across all platforms. NBA 2K9 is for gamers and basketball fans everywhere who want to play the most fun, stylistic, and feature-rich NBA simulation on the market. With wholesale improvement across the board - from gameplay to graphics, presentation and online features - NBA 2K9 is the complete package and is poised to remain the category leader in next-gen sports gaming.

•IsoMotion Pro - An improved dribble system delivers more ball-handling control for changing direction crossing up the opposition.
•Shot Stick Advanced - The revolution- ary Shot Stick control system takes it one step further, allowing you to change your shots mid-air.
•Adaptive AI - Adaptive AI will read, react, and adjust in real time to your strategies. Teammates initiate cuts, picks & post-ups based on how you handle the ball, while opponents modify their strategy to fit the pace of the game.
•The Association 2.0 - The Best just got even better. With an all-new interface replicating the NBA.com experience, plus new features like Player Ambitions, a Player Scouting system, new mini-game Development Drills and more customization options for the casual player make this the deepest and most robust Franchise mode on the market.
•2K-HD - Drastically improved facial and skin textures, better uniforms, improved eye movement and more realistic crowd reactions make the game come alive like never before.
•Styles Upon Styles - EVEN MORE Signature Style has been added with new signature shots, free throw routines, dunks and even facial expressions. Watch as Shaq smirks after plays and KG bangs his chest running down court. In addition, NEW Signature Defensive Styles have been added; Bruce Bowen plays tight all game, Rasheed Wallace steals in the post, and Shane Battier takes charges.
•All-New Broadcast Team - Analyst Clark Kellogg and sideline reporter Cheryl Miller join color commentator Kevin Harland to create one of the most knowledgeable broadcast teams in the game.
•Better Replays & Cut Scenes - End each quarter with enhanced, multiple angle replay highlights, and be rewarded like never before with all-new, true-to-life celebration sequences.
•Team 2K - Put your rep where your mouth is. This groundbreaking feature provides the best online players with the opportunity to be elected to the Team 2K Hall of Fame and put themselves in next year's game. Each week for 10 weeks the top player will be chosen and receive the 2K Sports royal treatment, including games, gear, memorabilia and more.
•New NBA 2K Online Features - 2K Sports' industry leading online service gets all-new features like 5-on-5 Multiplayer mode with Off Ball Control and a new player ranking system - from Bench Warmer to Rookie to Pro to Super- star and all the way up to Team 2K.
•2K Share - Create, upload and share rosters, sliders and even players created with the all-new Player DNA feature. This also includes the newly revamped Reelmaker, where you can now direct your own digital video highlight reels and post them on 2KSports.com or your personal web page for all the world to watch and admire.

Simply the best Basketball game ever created. 2k sports remains the reigning mvp with NBA 2K9. Audio, presentation player models, physics, the whole nine yards has never been done so well.

+ Create a player / Team is a plus on other nba games.e

Only gripes is that nba records, and team records could be kept and done better during The Association ( career mode)

a few things i dislike about this game

1) I made a 3 pointer with shaq on his 3rd attempt against the lakers. This shouldnt happen

2) NPC teammates tend to forget that they need to play defense after a completed offensive play.

3) If you fake shoot (different than pump-fake), the npc players of the defense rush toward the shooting player, leaving a few offensive players open on the inside. Almost every time you pass while in the processes of shooting, you will receive the ball wide open in the paint. Just another example of Bad AI.

4) the B button is supposed to call for a pick but I've only been able to do spin moves and special routes to the basket with it.

Else, the game is pretty fun to play with your friends when the real NBA games start getting old. Still a great game.