"Each year the stakes get a bit larger and game developers are put into the difficult position of one-upping the games from a year ago. The best example of this may be in basketball games where both the NBA 2K and NBA Live series must not only top last year’s iteration but also each other. Luckily for them both, they both seem to be delivering year in and year out and this year is no exception. NBA 2K9 takes everything positive from last year’s title and adds a whole lot more.

 As has been the case with each release of the NBA 2K franchise, the game’s presentation seen its share of improvements in NBA 2K9. While the player models still are not on par with last year’s NBA Live 08, they do appear more lifelike than NBA 2K8’s players. Players will now scowl after a disagreeable call and nod their heads tauntingly on “and-1” opportunities. There may be additional emotions that come out but these were the only ones we have seen first-hand. There is a thin layer of sweat on everyone’s forehead (independent of the player’s physical excursion up to that point) that appears too glossy to be lifelike but this may still be an element that 2K is tweaking.

Like the players, the crowds also appear more dynamic in NBA 2K9. They react to events in the game and it’s difficult to spot any repeat fans at a quick glance (if they exist). After each game you will be greeted with a highlight reel of the biggest layups, dunks, and rejections from the game. These replays are shown at full speed from a variety of camera angles and are meant to mimic the commercial preludes used in TNT’s NBA broadcasts. As such, these segments don’t include commentary that may have given the feature a more postgame recap feel..."

Read full hands-on HERE at Gamespot.

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