PGNx: NBA 09: The Inside (PS3) Review

PGNx writes: "Like The Game raps, it’s My Life. One of the most compelling features of the NBA series (on the PS2) was The Life mode, which until this year was absent from the PS3 version. The Life is indeed featured in NBA 09 but it isn’t the same as it used to be. Instead of playing through the careers of a pre-determined character, the mode lets you choose one of three storylines (for one of the five positions). While it’s nice to have the story mode here, what made The Life compelling on the PS2 was that it was essentially a drama in a sports game. The story here isn’t nearly as interesting, reducing a lot of the appeal that the original mode had. Nonetheless, The Life is a good way to mix things up since you’ll not only be playing games but also practices, street games and mini-games.

Thankfully, the game’s franchise mode has been improved. You’ll have to win games (you can simulate quarters or full games), keep players happy, as well as manage the overall strategy, statistics, trades, lineups, budget, etc. It’s a fuller more than it used to be but compared to competitors it’s still missing some key features. For example, why can’t you scout for rookies to guide your decision later? NBA Replay mode allows you relive and play through the 2007-2008 season highlights and is as fun as always. There are also a few minigames, including Rabbit, in which you have to run to a rabbit location, make a shot and have that area turned your color. It’s a more light-hearted version of Own the Court."