NBA 2K9

Alex: Before we get into how stellar 2K9 is, did you find it a bit odd that both games this year have eerily similar upgrades?

Ronnie: Oh yeah, both have nearly-identical real time roster updates and a customizable lockdown stick on defense. You can also make the claim that they both sport some type of player morale/chemistry feature. I'm pretty sure someone committed a crime here, just not sure who yet. Honestly, I could care less if they steal frivolously from each other, as long as it results in the perfect basketball game.

Alex: Well, copyright-infringement aside, I think we are going to disagree slightly on how great 2K9 is. I'll fully admit that the sheer number of features and options in Association Mode trumps what Live can offer, but the complicated and sometimes hard to master controls will make it difficult for the average basketball fan to enjoy. This is something that Live can provide everyone instantly, regardless of their past experience with video games.

Ronnie: First off, we should never punish a game for being too realistic, but I can fully understand where you're coming from. The hardcore enthusiast could care less about the casual fan, though, so it's important to discuss what makes 2K9 possibly the deepest basketball sim to date. For starters, the Living Rosters, while not entirely as deep as Dynamic DNA, ends up being just as sufficient in the long run. There's even a handy menu that illustrates exactly what has changed in between updates. Longtime fans will also notice the improved visuals, slew of new animations, and the incredible replays during intermissions. This is the first year that 2K9 is able to match (and sometimes surpass) the competition in the presentation category. Surely you can admit this.

Alex: Yeah, the new intros were awesome indeed. I loved the real player footage that accompanies each team at the beginning of each game, and the player models are as realistic as ever. I was most impressed by the updated NBA.com feature along with the very in-depth Player Ambitions (an extended branch of player roles/personality), though. The fact that a player can value money one year and the next be willing to endure a pay-cut just to win a Championship make the individual personalities on your team stand out even more. It makes scouring the Free Agent pool in search of that grizzled sharpshooter finally worth it.

Ronnie: Fluctuating Player Ambitions aside, I actually found the Rumor Mill (a direct cause of ambitions/personalities) to be much more exciting. Viewing this allows you to see which players are unhappy and if any other teams are targeting them for a big trade. Sweeping in to secure another team's superstar for little to nothing is awesome when you pull it off, but keep in mind the same can happen to you. Of course, you could always refuse to trade away unhappy players, but they end up causing more damage to team morale than they're worth. The updated headlines from around the league are also impressive; selecting an individual story will reveal more information about the topic (big win, career milestones, season-ending injury, etc.), which only makes Live's attempt at this seem trivial.

Alex: Very true, indeed. It should also be noted that the ability to edit draft classes in NBA 2K9 is another feature not offered by the competition. The fact that you can alter every aspect (school, ethnicity, height, weight, etc.) of each prospect in the upcoming draft will help make up for the lack of a new College Hoops title this year. Not to mention that you can upload sliders, share rosters, and even created players through 2K Share. And finally, although it's hard to execute properly, the Shot Stick Advanced allows you to alter your shot in mid-air, therefore giving you the chance to score even if you get pounded on the way to the rim. This I can definitely appreciate.

NBA Live 09

Ronnie: Let's get one thing clear from the beginning; NBA Live 09 is a vast improvement over its predecessors and is starting to become a true reflection of EA Canada's skill set. It's still apparent, however, that although the main focus was clearly becoming more sim-like, the final product still reeks of casual initiatives. The pick-up-and-play ability offered this time will certainly be appreciated by many; I'm just not sure the Dynasty Mode has the legs to run with the competition, or sway fans of 2K9 to make the permanent switch.

Alex: To some extent, I think that is true, but it doesn't necessarily mean that Live is shallow when it comes to offering a solid experience. In my opinion the new Dynamic DNA system is superior in a number of ways to 2K's Living Rosters. The sheer number of variables that go into outputting player tendencies and team chemistry makes it hard not to be impressed, and the form in which it's implemented on the court (streamlined play calling and team-specific suggestions) makes it easier than ever to enjoy this feature.

Ronnie: To me, both the Living Rosters and Dynamic DNA equal each other out in a sense, so I'm going to delve a little deeper into the options to help explain what worked and what was somewhat disappointing with Live this year. The NBA Academy is a nice step in the right direction, and I loved being thrown directly into this mode upon initial startup. This is a perfect place to perform drills and execute plays, while at the same time becoming familiar with each of your players. There are also several additions to the Dynasty mode that I found entertaining. ESPN Headlines make it easy to keep track of any transactions or scores from around the league, but not being able to actually click on the story (as in NBA 2K9) for more information is a letdown. The newly enhanced Free Agency window during the off-season is the best I've seen so far in a basketball title, and the Draft Highlights (steal of the draft, most NBA ready, highest potential, questionable pick, etc.) really add a sense of realism to the process.

Alex: Well, all of those features are nice (maybe too much for the casual fan), but lets not forget about the FIBA teams (24 in all) and the Player Chemistry meter. This measures each player's individual chemistry in accordance to his teammates, and is the perfect way to determine the best possible lineup. Skill doesn't always matter in this case, so making the big trade may not always be for the better of the team.

Ronnie: Yeah, the Chemistry Meter is something every sports title should have, and there's nothing worse than having to deal with a superstar who despises his current team, but even this pales in comparison to 2K9's Player Ambition feature. I did really enjoy the new Quickstrike moves on offense and the improved Lockdown Control on defense, but watching two players morph through each other during complicated animations or seeing my player in bound the ball to himself really took me out of the experience. It doesn't happen all the time, but several instances per game is enough to make you cringe.

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Closing Comments

NBA Live 09 sports serious improvements in both the gameplay engine and in Dynasty Mode. The slick play-calling system and easily-executed Pick and Roll scheme make this year's version that much more user-friendly. The low post game could still use a few more animations, though, especially when compared to the competition. NBA 2K9, on the other hand, is a bit less forgiving on accessibility at first, but definitely makes up for it if you consider Association Mode to be the most important. The visuals, animations, and overall presentation have been upgraded, and the new Player Ambitions, Living Rosters, and interactive headlines make 2K9 the must-have title for enthusiasts. All others will likely want to stick with NBA Live 09 for now.