Gamers Platform

SCE San Diego shoots! They score! SCE proudly boasts that NBA ’09: The Inside is the #1 rated NBA sim on the PSP. Now, considering that there aren’t so many other titles out there in the way of competition this claim will get you a cup of coffee… as long as you have the $2 to go with the claim. Marketing boasts aside it’s easy to see why this series is rated #1. NBA ’09: The Inside makes damned sure to keep that sentiment alive and kicking.

Sports games are definitely an acquired taste for most gamers. Unless the gamer is into the given sport, the game may not seem very interesting. NBA ’09: The Inside is something that gamers should definitely take a look at, though. One of the enormous benefits of any sports game is that they pretty much have an unlimited replayabilty factor. NBA ’09: The Inside definitely gives players enough to do and experience to keep them coming back; earning every penny they spent on the game.

The control scheme for the game is fairly intuitive so even new players to the series, or even players new to sports games in general, can pick it up without much practice. The game offers multiple difficulty settings so that each player can happily tone up or tone down their chances of nailing a 3-pointer. SCE San Diego put to full use the control scheme of the PSP in this title, which is a good thing since it is missing a few extra buttons and control sticks when compared to non-mobile consoles.

Gameplay options are plentiful in this title. On top of controlling the difficulty of the AI in the game, players can control their own teams strategies, change visual assistance in-game like a shot-gauge which guides the player as to when it is the best time to let the ball fly, and alter camera control.

Sadly, one thing that has plagued sports titles for years has slipped by yet again. For some reason it seems to be par for the course that the computer-controlled team’s AI is always just a tad brighter than the player’s team AI. Quite often the computer-controlled team members will be faster and wiser. They’ll get into position quicker, respond to rebounds faster, and are less prone to just standing about for a bit thinking about tonight’s grocery list, which is what it seems the player team’s AI tends to ponder a lot.

Players are offered several modes of play in-game. These options are offered under three sections on the main menu: Quick Play, Block Party, and NBA. Under the NBA section there are 5 modes of play in the game:

• Practice- Just what is says it is. Practice your passing, shooting and free throws.
• Exhibition- No concerns over franchise, team management, or worrying about your position in the playoffs.
• All-Star Weekend- East-Side versus West-Side. That’s the extent for the teams. The best of the best from both coast team up for battle on the court.
• Playoffs- Play through a full season and work your team up for the Championships
• Franchise- Play year after year, coaching your team from one season to the next.

Within some of the 5 modes of play are offered some side modes and challenges, adding even more play depth to the title. It’s fair to say that it would take most players quite a few dozen hours of playtime to get through all the offered modes, side modes, and mini-games.

In Quick Play the player can just jump right into a game without worrying about franchises, team management, or playoffs. The Block Party section of the game offers over 15 mini-games for the player to enjoy. These range from quests to eliminate other players all the way to pinball. Yes, your heard right, pinball.

The game also offers a ladder match system included in several of its many, many modes of play. This affords the player the ability to go online via WiFi connection or Ad-Hoc connection (local wireless) and prove their skills against others using their Playstation Network account. If gamers love one thing it’s the ability to square off against their fellow gamers. NBA ’09: The Inside won’t leave gamers out in the cold in this area. Jump into the new Online Lobby and challenge other players to battle

The graphics in-game are simply amazing for being on a hand-held platform. Even close-ups of NBA members as they dunk or drive the ball home for a score are top-notch. Unlike many other sports games on the PSP, NBA ’09: The Inside is not plagued with jaggies or low-res textures. SCE San Diego has illustrated something that Sony’s programmers have proven time and again over the years: They’ve pushed the envelope of the hardware and squeezed out every last ounce of power to make a fantastic looking and great playing game.

Scoring Breakdown:

Story: 8/10

Okay, so it’s really a bit hard to score a “story” in the game. Frankly, there is no story. So for all intents and purposes we’ll consider this area a look at the game modes. As spoken about above, the offered modes, while fairly standard in sports titles, are well executed and all around enjoyable. Short and simple, the game offers hours upon hours of playtime with all of its modes and challenges.

Gameplay: 8/10

Given the slightly limited control scheme that the PSP offers, and this is an Achille’s Heel for all mobile platforms in general, the controls are easy to use and easy to master. The only problem area is the targeting system for passing or taking control of a defensive player. Players might find themselves passing to or taking control of a team member other than the one they intended. Other than that, the game plays as well as any sports game on any platform. Of course, it goes without saying that the AI issues mentioned above can get annoying at times.

Music: 7/10

This one is an easy standard affair. If you’ve picked up a single sports game on any console out there then you are ready for the same soundtrack of thumping and pumping sports tunes out there, usually in the forms of hip-hop or funk styles. There’s nothing wrong with that, as it has been a proven standard for some time now, but the game’s soundtrack is lacking a bit when it comes to the quality of the songs included.

Graphics: 9/10

There are some joys to programming a game for the small screens of mobile games and SCE San Diego took full advantage of those joys. The game looks fantastic. In fact the player might have to remind themselves from time to time that they are playing the game on a mobile platform and not a more powerful machine.

Overall: 8.5/10

Ignoring a few minor issues, NBA ’09: The Inside is a well polished game for the NBA franchise. Players who are looking for a deep, quality, fun to play NBA game on the move are most likely going to enjoy this title. SCE San Diego has definitely gone quite a ways to make NBA ’09: The Inside worth every single penny players will spend on the title. Even some players who are not into basketball titles might want to give this one a try.