NBA 09 The Inside Screenshots
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment America, San Diego
Platform: PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system
Genre: Sports
Players: Single-player, 2 players via wireless multiplayer connectivity
Launch Date: October 7, 2008
ESRB Rating: “E” for Everyone
OVERVIEW
From the studio that brought MLB 08: The Show, SCEA San Diego presents NBA 09 The Inside. NBA action is back once again for hoops on-the-go with NBA 09 The Inside for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Combining the perfect blend of arcade and simulation basketball along with a host of unique mini-games, NBA 09 The Inside delivers an engaging NBA experience with quick action and fluid gameplay. This year’s effort expands on the franchise by offering the most diverse and feature-rich handheld NBA action available.
New this year is Franchise Mode, where players will have the opportunity to take control of their favorite NBA team and make every decision from drafting players, to signing free agents, to managing player contracts. Elimiquest, a twist on the popular Conquest Mode, is available to let players take over the entire country while playing in the style of the Elimination mini-game.
NBA 09 The Inside introduces a number of new, quick action mini-games that players can enjoy anytime, anywhere. All-new mini-games, from the bowling-style arcade game Alley-Oop, to contests such as the modified 5-on-5 game Give & Go, to new basketball-themed pinball tables, are all available to provide fast and engaging action that further adds to the stable of traditional and non-traditional basketball gameplay. Refined gameplay mechanics and Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) also help to create a more realistic and action-oriented gameplay experience. With a full Franchise Mode and host of new mini-games, as well as downloadable rosters and expanded audio commentary, NBA 09 The Inside delivers an unrivaled experience for basketball fans and gamers alike.
KEY FEATURES
• New Franchise Mode – For the first time on the NBA franchise, players can extend their experience in running a team where performance and player morale are tracked on virtually every level – salary, playing time, trades, team performance, and much more. Players will be able to participate in a full season mode as well.
• Elimiquest Mode – A completely new experience to complement the existing Conquest Mode, Elimiquest is available for players to try and take over all teams and cities throughout North America while playing in the Elimination-style mini-game format.
• Conquest Mode – The classic Conquest Mode is back, once again allowing players to participate in a game of territory acquisition and management. Players will again be able to cash in awards to upgrade player attributes as well as home city amenities, providing for a number of team skill upgrades.
• Pick Up mode – Players will alternate choosing from 10 randomly selected NBA players and match up with the CPU or another player in an outdoor full-court game.
• Robust Suite of Mini-Games – NBA 09 The Inside introduces a wide array of challenging mini-games, from classics such as HORSE, Dodgeball, and Own the Court, to new additions such as Give & Go and Bang the Boards. The suite of mini-games includes:
o Give & Go – New to the franchise, Give & Go is a modified 5-on-5 basketball game where players earn score multipliers by making passes to teammates in a half court set, racking up additional points based on the number of passes made before scoring.
o Bang the Boards – Also new to the franchise, Bang the Boards is a one-on-one half court game where players bid on how many points/rebounds they will get in each series. Based on performance, players will attempt to maximize their point total to earn more awards.
o FastBreak – Quick running game where users can alternate playing offense and defense in a 3-on-2 situation.
o Elimination – A team-based game where gamers win by scoring a set number of points with each of their players. As gamers reach their point quota, they are removed from the team and remaining players receive various power-ups. The first team to remove four players wins.
• Carnival-Style Mini-Games – With returning classics such as Shootin’ Bricks, Block A Shot and Big Shooter, NBA 09 expands the carnival with the addition of Alley Oop.
o Alley Oop – A new addition to the NBA franchise, Alley Oop is a table top arcade game loosely tied to a bowling mechanic. Players will roll a basketball up an alley, running the ball through and around a variety of goals, multipliers, and pins.
o Shootin’ Bricks – Players will use a basketball to break apart sections of bricks to clear levels (similar to the “Breakout” games).
o Hot Shot – Players will take multiple shots on a timed basis and try to make as many baskets as possible.
o Big Shooter – Much like Skee-Ball, Big Shooter lets players take aim on mini-baskets to score big points.
o Pinball – Seven tables of arcade pinball action.
o Block A Shot – A game akin to whack-a-mole, this will test player reflexes as they negotiate a number of targets and obstacles that are b-ball mainstays.
• New Downloadable Content – Over the course of the season, updated rosters will be regularly available to download.
• Enhanced Play-by-Play and All-New Commentary – Ian Eagle returns to handle play-by-play duties and newly stepping in to the color commentary role is TNT’s Kenny Smith. Both will combine to provide comprehensive and in-depth analysis.
• Realistic Animations – Running at 60 FPS, NBA 09 The Inside incorporates tandem animation technologies to produce ultra realistic player interactions. Additionally, motion capture data delivers smooth gameplay and lifelike player movements.
• Ladder Challenge – Compete in a challenging mini-game or exhibition mode series and earn reward tickets for working to the top of the ladder.
• Wireless Multiplayer Gameplay – Compete head-to-head against friends and basketball fans around the country with Ad Hoc connectivity of up to two PSP systems, or link to a network via a wireless local area network (VLAN) access point for multiplayer action nationwide.
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Content on this page comes directly from press releases and fact sheets provided by publishers and developers and was not written by the Game Revolution staff.
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[ Editor's Note: As Nick Olsen is a writer for Theory of Gaming, this won't be counted in the monthly Vox Pop prize. However, it is very much a worthy read. ]
By Nick Olsen
Co-founder, Theory of Gaming
In 1985 Nintendo started a revolution when it...
