Visual Concepts' pro basketball series enters its tenth season with NBA 2K9. As usual, the game features the league's players, teams, and venues, according to the rosters and statistics of the contemporary season. The long-running series is known for a distinct blend of realism and playability. Building upon the previous year's releases, 2K9 aims to retain that feel, while adding tweaks and perks. Several new Signature Styles have been added for more player-specific custom animations, and the new Hot Zone feature uses real-life NBA data to judge a player's best shot locations and give real-time, in-game feedback about shot possibilities as he moves around the floor.
An addition to the series' "Association" franchise mode involves the new Player Ambition statistic. There are three basic ambitions in the game -- money, loyalty, and winning -- and each player in the league is motivated by a blend of the three. A player motivated primarily by money may quickly sign with the highest bidder, while players with other motivations may take a lower paycheck in order to play for a familiar franchise or a team with strong playoff possibilities. When the trading is done and it's time to hit the court, Kevin Harlan returns to call the action, joined by NBA 2K series newcomers Clark "Special K" Kellogg in the booth and Cheryl Miller on the sidelines.
Controls
CONTROLS
MENU CONTROLS
Left Analog Stick = navigate menus
X Button = select option
GAME CONTROLS
OFFENSE
Left Analog Stick = move player
D-Pad = coaching, plays
L1 Button = postup
L2 Button = dual player
R1 Button = aggressive, turbo
R2 Button = icon pass
Square Button = shoot
Triangle Button = hopstep
X Button = pass
Circle Button = lead pass
Right Analog Stick = shot stick
R3 Button = call for pick
Start Button = pause
Select Button = timeout
DEFENSE
Left Analog Stick = move player
D-Pad = playset
L1 Button = box out
L2 Button = intentional foul
R1 Button = sprint
R2 Button = icon switch
Square Button = double team
Triangle Button = block
X Button = player swap
Circle Button = take charge
Right Analog Stick = strip & rip
Start Button = pause
DUAL PLAYER CONTROLS
L2 Button (Hold) + X Button = come off screen
L2 Button (Hold) + Circle Button = set screen
L2 Button (Hold) + Square Button = post-up
L2 Button (Hold) + L1 Button + Circle Button = alley-oop
L2 Button (Hold) + R1 Button + X Button or Right Analog Stick = dunk
