NBA Live 09 Review (PS3)

Command the fast break, dominate the pick and roll and obsess over player DNA in EA Sports' newest hoops game.

by Chris Buffa on Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Last year, EA Sports turned a corner with its NBA Live franchise and delivered an up-tempo basketball game that looked great and played like a pro. This year's rim rattling effort, NBA Live 09, is on par with its predecessor, but also has numerous additions and special features that could redefine sports video games.

Your foray into the world of professional basketball begins with NBA Live 365, a robust stat tracking system that, with the help of dedicated number cruncher Synergy Sports Technology. For example, if the New Orleans Hornets' explosive point guard, Chris Paul, becomes better at rebounding, he'll be more likely to do so in the video game. Conversely, if Paul goes down with an injury, he won't be available until he returns in real life; if that isn't cool, you can just turn off NBA Live 365.

KG is about to send this ball into the stands.

This all ties into Dynamic DNA, the result of Synergy Sports' research on over 20 NBA teams. It breaks each team and player's skills into seven offensive categories including Isolation, Pick and Roll Ball Handler and Post-up, all delivered via easy to read color coding that lets you know before and after a game each player's tendencies, so you can figure out Shaq's favorite spot to shoot from (clearly not the free throw line) or whether Kobe prefers driving left or right. All of this combines to form an impressive hoops package that could make NBA Live 09 the year's best basketball video game. However, with the NBA preseason just underway, it's difficult to say whether NBA Live 365 and Dynamic DNA will actually work.

In the meantime, you can hone your skills at the NBA Live Academy, an interactive gym with numerous challenges that teach you fast break, rebounding and pick and roll fundamentals. You can also learn a specific position in the new Be A Pro mode, as you compete to become the best center, point guard or forward in the league.

Since basketball is huge overseas, EA included an expanded version of the FIBA tournament that features 24 teams (Spain, China, Italy, Argentina) with actual rosters. If that doesn't entice you, then you can rewrite history with NBA Rewind, which allows you to replay last night's games and dramatically change the outcomes.

On the court, you'll find several improvements that let you punish opposing teams. EA's Pick and Roll Control allows you to control both the ball handler and the screener. Simply press and hold the left trigger (L2 on the PS3 controller) and the other player will come and set the pick. How long you hold and release that trigger determines whether the screener rolls to the basket or takes the shot; of course, you can always use him as a decoy and drive to the basket. This is also a great time to use the game's Quick Strike Ankle Breakers, punishing moves that freeze the defender and let you explode past him to the rim. On that note, defensive specialists should dig NBA Live 09's Lockdown Control, a feature that lets them get in the ball handler's face. Finally, Signature Playcalling gives you the opportunity to select from a number of plays, that change depending on which players are on the court.

We're still not sure why the fans are looking in the opposite direction. Perhaps a mascot is on fire.

These sweet additions notwithstanding, NBA Live is so user friendly that you'll have no trouble performing dunks, pump-faking your defender and nailing those long distance shots. Sure, playing reckless will turn the ball over and the artificial intelligence is more than capable of delivering a beat down, but we like this game because of its pick-up-and-play style. This carries over to the online arena, where you enjoy custom leagues (you can play games at your leisure, instead of following a tight schedule) and five-on-five games with nine other players.

Like all NBA teams, however, Live is far from perfect. Players will occasionally inbound the ball while standing inbounds, an obvious turnover, arms go through the rim, net and backboard, and although commentators Marv Albert and Steve Kerr share some humorous exchanges, sometimes neither says a word.

Compared to its predecessors, NBA Live 09 is by far the best looking, with phenomenal player detail, flowing shorts (perhaps a bit too flowing, since the fabric flaps all over the place) and that realistic sweat. Some players look better than others and the coaches are scary, but overall, this game is hot. Can't say the same about the crowd though, as it has limited animation and never jumps out of their seats after a big play (though you always hear them react), but that shouldn't ruin your Live experience.

Although its most intriguing feature, NBA Live 365, won't produce results until the season kicks off, NBA Live 09 is still an enjoyable basketball game with enough features to keep you busy well into the playoffs. Now all we need is an option to put you on our poster after dunking in your grill.