NBA Live 09

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
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  1. GameSpy
    70
    Sadly, even if the fans at Arco were banging authentic Sacramento cowbells like crazy, it wouldn't be quite enough to land NBA Live 09 on top of the basketball heap.
  2. Cheat Code Central
    70
    Though EA is doing all they can to create a realistic basketball sim, there are far too many blatant errors in their formula that make it far from perfect. The inclusion of new online features may not be enough to make up for repetitively frustrating mechanics.
  3. GameTrailers
    69
    NBA Live 09 is still not quite ready to bang the boards with the best, but it's the most user-friendly hoops game on the market. The pick-up-and-play control scheme, vibrant visuals, and improved action will appeal to those who feel the NBA 2K series is too complicated.
  5. IGN
    65
    NBA Live 09 does have some solid moments here and there, but you'll have to fight your way through a number of inconsistent elements to fully enjoy everything it has to offer.
  6. Console Monster
    65
    NBA Live 09 is probably everything you’d expect from EA and the Live series, but it fails to live up to the enormous hype it can generate from year to year.
  7. PSM3 Magazine UK
    63
    The actual gameplay is still awkward and slow next to the flowing brilliance of "2K." [Nov 2008, p.85]
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  8. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    60
    Measured against the rest of EA's high quality pro sports line-up, NBA 09 looks and plays a distinctly amateur game of B-Ball. [Oct 2008, p.103]
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  9. AceGamez
    60
    NBA Live 09 was so close to being almost everything I wanted from a basketball game.
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Awards & Rankings

62
#62 Best PS3 Game of 2008
99
#99 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. krisc
    Dec 25, 2008
    7
    This game would be great except they remove the damn shot meter indicator thats there duringywarmup for the games! How can one enjoy the game This game would be great except they remove the damn shot meter indicator thats there duringywarmup for the games! How can one enjoy the game if shot results are arbitrary? Should be able to sink EVERY open shot if timing is right. This is the best NBA game but Im buying the Inside 09 simply because of control over shooting. Im baffled as to why they removed it.… Full Review »
  2. MiloJ
    Nov 13, 2008
    7
    Good, not great. Good graphics, gameplay, updated rosters. NBA 2K9 has that, too, though, and a better player ratings system. One sim Good, not great. Good graphics, gameplay, updated rosters. NBA 2K9 has that, too, though, and a better player ratings system. One sim franchise mode had Boston as the 8th best Eastern conference team. They are probably in the top 5 hands down in being one of the best teams. You would think they would have run 10,000 simulations to get Boston to be ranked higher.… Full Review »
  3. jeremyr
    Oct 22, 2008
    9
    NBALIVE09 is the basketball game to get this year, last year I was a 2knba fan but this year nbalive09 takes the crown, hands down for NBALIVE09 is the basketball game to get this year, last year I was a 2knba fan but this year nbalive09 takes the crown, hands down for easports doing a great job on nbalive09.… Full Review »
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