NBA Live 09

 Xbox 360
NBA Live 09 Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

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  • Summary: NBA Live 09 is back with new features like Pick and Roll Control, Defensive Lockdown Control, Signature Playcalling and Quickstrike Ankle-Breakers. For those in need of some extra coaching, NBA Live 09 takes you to training camp with the NBA Academy that gives you a chance to hone yourNBA Live 09 is back with new features like Pick and Roll Control, Defensive Lockdown Control, Signature Playcalling and Quickstrike Ankle-Breakers. For those in need of some extra coaching, NBA Live 09 takes you to training camp with the NBA Academy that gives you a chance to hone your skills. Now featuring 24 authentic FIBA teams with realistic team play styles and rosters, NBA Live 09 features a FIBA World Championship Mode using FIBA tournament structure, rules and court dimensions. Take your game online with 5 vs.5 team play, where 10 people can play together on 10 different consoles around the world. [Electronic Arts]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Gamervision
    90
    NBA Live 09 is a massive step forward for the franchise, and, in some ways, for sports games in general. It looks better than 2K’s excellent hoops game, and plays just as well, too. The massive gap in quality between the Live and 2K series has finally shrunken to the point where either option will give you a solid basketball experience.
  2. ZTGD
    85
    The inclusion of Dynamic DNA and NBA Live 365 are two of the most important innovations in sports gaming this year. Combined with all of the other enhancements EA Canada has provided and you are looking at the most feature-rich basketball title to come along in some time.
  3. 3DJuegos
    81
    NBA Live 09 for Xbox 360 and PS3 offers a similar experience with respect to its previous version, but with a series of improvements and features, making it more competitive. It's getting better year by year, however, still stands second to its big rival NBA 2K9. Though it´s not the best among the basketball games, yet a nice alternative with great repertoire in terms of dazzling options choices in videogaming.
  4. Meristation
    80
    The new season of the NBA has started, and EA Sports offers us a great way of having the best basketball of the world in our homes. After several years of improving, NBA Live 09 achieves what we wanted to see in a next-gen basketball game. Great visuals, good gameplay (arcade-driven) and a lot of game modes, including the NBA Live 365, which updates constantly in the game.
  5. Game Informer
    78
    NBA Live 09’s gameplay improvements make this the best game in the series. If more care would have been taken to the new modes, it might have unseated the 2K franchise.
  6. GameSpot
    75
    NBA Live 09's gameplay has again seen some improvement, but there are still a few rough edges.
  7. IGN
    65
    The low post play and pick and roll features work great, but they're countered by a lackluster lockdown defense and odd tempo issues that hamper gameplay. The Dynamic DNA, which can't fully be engaged for another few weeks, still has a number of issues with displaying useful info or elements that fully aid the player.

See all 32 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. TonyAube
    Oct 17, 2008
    9
    I was a longtime 2k fan until this year. For the first time since the inception of the 2k series, I've returned 2k9 for Live 09. II was a longtime 2k fan until this year. For the first time since the inception of the 2k series, I've returned 2k9 for Live 09. I can't believe it, but I actually prefer it and am flat out just having more fun playing it. 2k9 has a lot of depth as diehards know, but the gameplay is too bogged down with various things I won't get into depth here about, since this is a Live review. I've only played about 5 or 6 games but I prefer the defense in live and feel their lockon is easier to apply and you don't get penalized as harshly for not having it locked in - 2k9 makes Derek Fisher into Tiny Archibald if you aren't locked on. Live is just better balanced and provides a more free flowing and realistic (IMHO) flow to the game. The gameplay feels like 2k used to feel (2k6 and 2k7) in the way driving and kicking is satisfying. But the difference I'm finding is that unlike those older options, it's not a dunkfest like b-ball games of a couple of years ago used to be. I find the presentation to be much better in live and it's a breath of fresh air to leave the Harlan/Kellogg/Miller team and upgrading to Marv Albert and Steve Kerr (he must've had some spare time in the offseason?). NBA Live 365 is an awesome addition and I love the detail in the player tendencies effecting gameplay the way it does. The graphics and animations aren't to the level of 2k which does animations better than in any sports game...that went to a whole new level in 2k9 where the players feel more like the real-life counterparts moreso than live. Because of that and the little nitpicking things I won't go into bc of space I've taken off a point and rounded up from a super solid 8/soft 9....I can't believe I'm saying it but 'hats off to EA'.… Expand
  2. RogerM.
    Oct 6, 2008
    9
    Compared to retail (full) version of 2K9, the graphics IMO are sub par. The player models have an awkard build and the faces are off 95% of Compared to retail (full) version of 2K9, the graphics IMO are sub par. The player models have an awkard build and the faces are off 95% of the time? i.e: Dirk Nowitzki looks like a Norse comic book character, Kobe and other players, well lets just say, "who is that!?" Presentation and commentary leave 2K9 standing still. 2K9 re-used almost all of Kenny Smiths commentary with the "new guy" repeating the same script. Controls/ gameplay are fluid, although it can get "glitchy" at times, ball physics get too speedy, i.e: shooting a buzzer beater can cause the ball to zip up and over to the hoop not to mention the super fast & funny looking release. Or getting fouled can cause you to rise awkardly high in the air along with your opponent. (bleh). If you've never played the 2K series all of what i just stated is irrelevant to you. In other words, You WILL like this game. Good stuff.… Expand
  4. NBAOz
    Oct 9, 2008
    6
    Improved slightly over last years NBA Live 08, but still has a long way to go if it ever wants to be in the same league as NBA 2k series.Improved slightly over last years NBA Live 08, but still has a long way to go if it ever wants to be in the same league as NBA 2k series. Player likenesses are horrendous, numerous bugs such as players going straight through other players, players get stuck in animations sequences which is annoying, the game just doesn't feel as responsive as NBA 2k9 and it looks like the game is being played in a cave as the lighting is just too dark... I noticed that NBA Live now has realistic jersey/short cloth animation which is good to see, however the 2k series has had this for 3 iterations now. Overall this game is above average and NBA 2k9 takes the crown yet again this year for best hoops simulation.… Expand
  5. moknn
    Sep 9, 2008
    5
    A joke compared to nba 2k games. Still no shooting stick, poor graphics resulting in blurred players i can hardly tell who's who. In nba A joke compared to nba 2k games. Still no shooting stick, poor graphics resulting in blurred players i can hardly tell who's who. In nba 2k it's clear as the player models have the best graphics and the surrounds a bit less.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2008