You can take a few practice shots with a player in the gym. Someone must be working really hard at the company because these stats are updated daily, not weekly.įinally, when the game is loading, you don’t have to simply sit there. Each time you make a basket, there’s a small icon on the bottom left of the screen urging you to pull the left trigger so you can see a replay.ĮA’s version of Living Roster is called Dynamic DNA. The cheerleaders don’t look as detailed as in NBA 2K9, but the crowd does, and they seem alive. The upshot? The look here is cleaner overall. But the other games aren’t as good at this. That’s because the camera seems to know you have to see in the paint in order to block. All you do is make sure you time your throw according to the meter placed on the backboard. For me, it’s just easier to shoot foul throws. I like the look and play of EA’s NBA Live 09 game a bit better. Pros: Many modes, Dynamic DNA, very intuitive controls. You can turn this option off, if you like.Įlectronic Arts for PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360, PSP. If a player gets injured in real life, he’ll be out in your video game, too. This Living Rosters option is updated weekly if you have a broadband connection. There’s a stat system that mirrors what happens in real life. With the proper combination of buttons and stick, you seem to be able to pull off just about any human-like move. To block or shoot, you can use either a button or the right stick, a nice option. Each star player retains his own signature moves and dunks. And while the crowd has been improved graphically from last year, they still look like zombies.īut mainly you’ll be in for fine gameplay with varied animations by every player on the court. Sometimes it looks like a head is Photoshopped onto a body-as with Lakers coach Phil Jackson. Sometimes you’ll feel like you’re playing a game that’s as choppy as a YouTube video, but with better graphics. And because so many players are moving at once, not to mention the coach, the cheerleaders and the crowd, you’re going to get some serious drops in frame rate. The downside? Some players are invincible. It’s like a battle as much as it is a game. The graphic look here is a little grittier than the other games. There are so many options for gameplay, hip-hop music, online play, coaching, fantasy teams and real-time scores, you may never get to everything, even if you play NBA 2K9 all year. Pros: Many modes, Living Rosters, lots of different player animations.Ĭons: Too much advertising, drop in frame rate off and online. But if you block out the ads in your mind and focus on the game, you’re in for a real treat.ĢK Sports for PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, PC. Cell-phone services, energy drinks, soda drinks, basketball shoes. The offerings from EA and 2K Sports are generally better than ever - except for one thing: advertising.
Will Kevin Garnett and the Celtics triumph again? Will the Knicks ever get better? Most important, are the roundball video games worth your hard-earned $50 to $60? Well, yes and no.