How good is NBA2k9 for PC? Should I buy it?

Hi!

I am still having fun with my NBA Live 2005 dynasty. Today I saw that there is - surprise, surprise - a PC version of NK9, which makes me really excited right now.

Live 07 and 08 are horrible, 06 is ok and I like 2005. My question is if I should buy 2K9 or not.

I don't care about graphics that much. To me, realism is important. How good is 2K9 in terms of

o dynasty mode
o realistic stats
o cpu trades
o generated rookies
o low number of bugs
o player collisions

?

And what are the main flaws?

My biggest turn-offs are body parts moving through other body parts (player collisions), the lack of trades and simmed stats...

I should be able to put up decent stats in my own games, there should be a notable difference between very good players and random bench players, size should play a role, the simmed stats of cpu teams should be realistic (not like Live 08) and trading, drafting and developping rookies should be good.

Are there any major bugs in these sections?

HUGE difference between Live 05 and NBA 2K9...if your PC can run it, you'll be glad you spent the $19 because it is WELL worth it. To answer your questions, dynasty mode is fairly deep, you can do things such as developing your players in drills and assigning player roles. Stats are pretty realistic, the CPU trades a lot but that can be turned on and off (such as turning it off up until around the trade deadline). The generated rookies can be edited during the season, so you can create a gem that you'd like to target. As far as bugs, there aren't any in gameplay but you may run upon some performance problems. Player collisions are VERY well done in this game, driving to the bucket and getting fouls/no calls is as real as it gets.

If your computer can run it, buy it. If you are really unsure just download the demo.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/7790/

For $20 bucks I don't see why anyone who can run it wouldn't buy it. That's kinda like asking, "I'm starving in the middle of the desert and see a McDonald's. Should I go inside and get a Value Meal? "

yes u should buy it its really fun even wit bad graphic haha.

Thanks for your replies.

It is not 19$ (approx. 16€) here but 29€. Still cheaper than other games. You guys in the US are lucky. When we buy one game here you can almost buy two for the same money.

The game does not work on my PC. I have 3.2 ghz and 1 GB ram but my ATI Radeon 9600 128 MB is not supported. I can only hear sound but the screen is all black.

Fortunately (oh yeaaaah!), my girlfriend bought a new computer some weeks ago.

Show your girlfriend that you deserve to have a New Computer. Give her the deal.

Fortunately (oh yeaaaah!), my girlfriend bought a new computer some weeks ago.

That's a tough balancing act. You'll have to find time playing the game and "playing" with her. If you play the game too much she'll get mad, if you "play" with her too much you can't enjoy the game.

No, I can play a lot on her computer.

Ok, I just played the demo. Wow, what should I say? This is so totally different. It is like ... I'm speechless. I have played demos of both Live 2008 and 2K8 on my friend's PS3 on a HDTV but I still cannot believe it that I can now play such a game on a PC.

I am going to buy the game tomorrow!
It looks so good although I cannot play it on the highest settings.

My girlfriend's computer is a Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 with 2,4 ghz, Geforce 9500 GS 512 MB and 3 GBs of ram.

The game seems to be quite difficult as I am used to Live 2005's controls. Gotta take a look how to make freestyle-like moves.

Oh, still some questions:

1) can you edit the game like NBA Live 2005? Rosters, stats, ratings etc.
e.g. after I have traded for a player in dynasty mode I want to reset his stats to 0 as I only want to see the stats he put up for me and not for the cpu team before the trade.

2) are there player introductions in exhibition AND dynasty mode? (I think it is called association mode)

3) can you download cyberfaces or add new player speech / callnames?

4) Does the computer take open shots and pass around? I have only played the demo version a few times but the computer either drove to the basket or passed once, then shot.

5) can you export the dynasty stats to a txt file or something like that? How do you get your stats online without having to write down all stats manually?

6) What about different languages of the game? Can I buy the game here in Austria and I will still be able to choose English and English commentary? Or will it be in German only?

I let the cpu play against another cpu team and just watched but players still hardly passed. The PG brought the ball, passed once...the next played dribbled, posted up and shot...and almost ALL shots went in.

yes!

NBA 2K9 doesn't have online. But "Association Mode" is the strongest part of this game.

You can't imagine how association mode is so sooooo much deep. I even learn more things about real NBA players nowadays.


EDIT:

Fortunately (oh yeaaaah!), my girlfriend bought a new computer some weeks ago.

That's a tough balancing act. You'll have to find time playing the game and "playing" with her. If you play the game too much she'll get mad, if you "play" with her too much you can't enjoy the game.

I've missed this post. It's so funny. HAHA.

ROTFL.

1) can you edit the game like NBA Live 2005? Rosters, stats, ratings etc.
e.g. after I have traded for a player in dynasty mode I want to reset his stats to 0 as I only want to see the stats he put up for me and not for the cpu team before the trade.

Yes and no. You can't reset his stats, but you can look at his player card and do your own math because it will show his statline for each game played. You just have to remember the date that you got him and look from there.

2) are there player introductions in exhibition AND dynasty mode? (I think it is called association mode)

No and no. There are no player introductions in this game.

3) can you download cyberfaces or add new player speech / callnames?

Depends on the exe you use, and no adding speech. It does have a list of names that are called by the commentators, you can choose them when you create a player.

4) Does the computer take open shots and pass around? I have only played the demo version a few times but the computer either drove to the basket or passed once, then shot.

Depends alot on your sliders. Tendency sliders, game speed, coach profiles(team specific tendencies), and quarter length all play a role in how the cpu plays. The computer definitely finds the open man and takes the open shots. Tendencies can improve or hurt this. If they are too low, they won't take the open 3, if they are too high, they will jack shots up even if tightly covered.

5) can you export the dynasty stats to a txt file or something like that? How do you get your stats online without having to write down all stats manually?

I haven't found any exporting options. I am guessing a screenshot if you just want to display them. Other then that, you will need to write them down.

6) What about different languages of the game? Can I buy the game here in Austria and I will still be able to choose English and English commentary? Or will it be in German only?

I don't know if they have German commentary. I believe you can choose a display language for text, though.

I let the cpu play against another cpu team and just watched but players still hardly passed. The PG brought the ball, passed once...the next played dribbled, posted up and shot...and almost ALL shots went in.

That's the demo, right? Full game is much more dynamic.

" Does the computer take open shots and pass around? I have only played the demo version a few times but the computer either drove to the basket or passed once, then shot. "

I adjusted sliders to raise the tendency for mid range shots and decrease the tendency for drives and post passes. The AI certainly does pass the ball around and if there's an open man gets the ball to him for a shot. They also double team my stars.

for diff languages, u gotta buy tha multi-version.

Once you get use to the controls you will love it.

yeah, take a look at the nba 2k9 move list. then u'll be good to go like tha rest of us

Is it normal that players react slowly? And run slowly? Bryant is fast but I can hardly run with Bynum.

This game feels great although I can do nothing but basic stuff. Shoot stick? Shoot button? What*s the difference?

I once managed to do some turnaround jumper with Garnett...somehow.
What I really love are the great animations. And after playing the demo over and over I even successfully finished a fastbreak with some nice one-handed dunk by Bryant. He got fouled and got a 3pt-play.
I am used to Live...you just play and that´s it. But 2K is totally different and it is really a success when you get your first dunk...or hit a three...or reject Garnett.

I feel like a 5-year-old kid: "Wow, I hit a buzzer-beater from halfcourt...wow, I hit a three with Gasol...wow, I dunked with Bryant"...

I don´t know where to begin learning the game. I think there is a good practice mode which I will have to do.

How should I set my controls? There are so many buttons needed...I have a dual analog gamepad with many buttons but there are also many things I don´t even know such as something like dual control...coaching stuff, offball stuff...and different directions.

Could somebody post his configuration please? What are the most important buttons? I have two shoulder buttons on the left, two on the right, four next to the right analog stick and two other buttons like select and start.

Oh, and those cutscenes are a bit...odd. Why show a player`s head for two seconds after each basket? Doesn´t look good.

And the lack of player introductions makes me sad, too.

Don't count on realistic CPU trades though.
I don't remember it exactly, but in one Association of mine, Jameer Nelson was traded to Detroit for Tayshaun Prince (which is weird enough), a day later he got traded again to another team.

uhm sorry for dp

Is it normal that players react slowly? And run slowly? Bryant is fast but I can hardly run with Bynum.

This game feels great although I can do nothing but basic stuff. Shoot stick? Shoot button? What*s the difference?

Well, the shot stick is awesome. With the button (I know,you're used to it from Live) you just have one command: shoot.
With the shot stick, you can say if he should do a right handed lay-up (push stick to the right), a left handed lay-up (push it to the left) or like a running shot if you push it away from the basket. Towards is a random shot i think, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Same goes with post play. The movement depends on how you flick ypur stick.

Check out the stickied Moves Topic. There's really cool things you can do in the post.

FYI: To dunk the ball you have to press the turbo button.

Could somebody post his configuration please? What are the most important buttons? I have two shoulder buttons on the left, two on the right, four next to the right analog stick and two other buttons like select and start.

Do you have a direction pad?
I can only tell you the default controls on the 360, which are the best IMO.

D-Pad: Coaching stuff, Subs, Playbook, opponent information/hotness check
Left Analog stick: movement obvioulsy
Right Stick: shooting stick
left button: shoot button/steal,
bottom button: passing/switch player
right button: quick pick and roll/take charge
top button: hop-step/rebound, block
first right shoulder button: directional pass/player switching.
second right shoulder button: turbo
first left shoulder button: quick plays/double team
second left shoulder button: Post up/lock on D

For some really good tutorials check out the Youtube channel of this guy:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ZihinMaster?ob=1 (It's 2k8, should be similar though)

Espicially this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o-y9zEX-Zk
A little thing that can be very useful[/quote]

Got it! Gonna install it...NOW!

4) Does the computer take open shots and pass around? I have only played the demo version a few times but the computer either drove to the basket or passed once, then shot.

Total shock to the system when I played it, having played horrid NBA Live for the last 10 years. I usually take control of either the PF or C and use him to double and shotblock. Cause let's face it, PG's and C's moved equally as fast in NBA Live and the computer was too stupid to pass.

Forget about it in 2k9. I got owned so badly. The computer found my guy wide open 90% of the time I left him. And when one of my teammates under the rim switched immediately and turbo'd to guard my guy, my guy would pass wide open to my teammate's guy for a wide open jam! Incredible! I'm having a ton of difficulty playing D against a real team that actually runs plays and runs shooters off picks for wide open J's.