I'm interested in getting Madden 10 and NBA 2K10, but don't feel like paying the big bucks. I can get Madden 09 and NBA 2K9 for a song. The question is, are they still viable to play? Does EA Sports and Take 2 stil provide roster updates for these old games? Can you still use the online features where they update the players stats?

I know the new versions have some better bells and whistles, but I think I could get my fix by playing the old games, but I just don't know if EA and Take 2 drop the old versions like a rock, in terms of roster updates and such. Didn't NBA 2K9 feature something called "player DNA feature" where they update the players real life statistics on a daily basis or whatever. Once they made NBA 2k10 available for sale, did they shut that feature down? I know Madden 09 would offer updates of scores in real life games, that would appear at the bottom of the screen while you were playing a game of Madden. Did they turn that off as soon as they started selling Madden 10?

Basically, I'm just trying to see if I should pick up NBA 2K9 and Madden 2k9 for super cheap, to get a taste of NFL and NBA action without paying big $$$. I'm just not that into these games as much as I used to be, and I can't really justify paying $50 or $60 or whatever.

No more DNA updates for 2K9 and I doubt it for Madden as well. If you are a casual player, then no sports game may be worth a purchase at full price. If you plan to play out seasons, you should get the new stuff (I'm really enjoying NBA 2K10 so far). If you do get an older game, you often can tweak the stats and create/delete players yourself if that helps.

I'm interested in getting Madden 10 and NBA 2K10, but don't feel like paying the big bucks. I can get Madden 09 and NBA 2K9 for a song. The question is, are they still viable to play? Does EA Sports and Take 2 stil provide roster updates for these old games? Can you still use the online features where they update the players stats?

I know the new versions have some better bells and whistles, but I think I could get my fix by playing the old games, but I just don't know if EA and Take 2 drop the old versions like a rock, in terms of roster updates and such. Didn't NBA 2K9 feature something called "player DNA feature" where they update the players real life statistics on a daily basis or whatever. Once they made NBA 2k10 available for sale, did they shut that feature down? I know Madden 09 would offer updates of scores in real life games, that would appear at the bottom of the screen while you were playing a game of Madden. Did they turn that off as soon as they started selling Madden 10?

Basically, I'm just trying to see if I should pick up NBA 2K9 and Madden 2k9 for super cheap, to get a taste of NFL and NBA action without paying big $$$. I'm just not that into these games as much as I used to be, and I can't really justify paying $50 or $60 or whatever.

It may not be your thing, but NBA Live '09 still updates. Live uses a similar "DNA" system as well (sponsored by T-Mobile).

I know because I'm still working through an 82 game season with the Boston Celtics and it updated tonight. It has been updating periodically over summer (maybe once a month), but it has updated 2 or 3 times in October. It swapped out Rasheed Wallace for Leon Powe in the game's practice area; something I wasn't expecting (it didn't switch him in the season, because once the season starts the roster is locked--so I'm stuck with ol' Leon until I start a new season, then I should have access to Rasheed).

I bought 09 the day it came out so and input the code as soon as I booted up the game, so Your Mileage May Vary if you buy it used/or New on the cheap. Some people don't like Live as much as NBA 2K, so that might also influence your decision. Can't say how long EA will support Live 09, but as of TODAY, I can tell you it is still updating.

I've gotten in a pattern of selling current sports games towards the end of that sports season, I typically get about half value or slightly less for them in return... but the way I think of it is I more than likely won't play these games after said sport is out of season, so I feel as though I get my money out of buying the new editions each year.

No more DNA updates for 2K9 and I doubt it for Madden as well. If you are a casual player, then no sports game may be worth a purchase at full price. If you plan to play out seasons, you should get the new stuff (I'm really enjoying NBA 2K10 so far). If you do get an older game, you often can tweak the stats and create/delete players yourself if that helps.

So, there is no more DNA updates, but what about roster updates? Can you search online for the final roster update or something? I was reading a bulletpoint list of NBA 2K9, and it was talking about how players would be able to swap and trade rosters back and forth. Maybe that would be a way to get a completely updated roster that would be as close to accurate as possible, obviously not having the new rookies actual faces, etc, etc.

So, there is no more DNA updates, but what about roster updates? Can you search online for the final roster update or something? I was reading a bulletpoint list of NBA 2K9, and it was talking about how players would be able to swap and trade rosters back and forth. Maybe that would be a way to get a completely updated roster that would be as close to accurate as possible, obviously not having the new rookies actual faces, etc, etc.

most of 2k9s roster makers have moved on to 2k10, but a lot of them made a final roster before they left. i downloaded a couple of files complete with this years rookies. I would check it out. I didnt feel like upgrading this year either! Its all built into the game, you just have to find them.

We are still playing MLB the Show '08 at my house. Started a season with a fantasy draft - so rosters don't really matter anyway...

I'm in the same position when it comes to Madden, FIFA, and NHL 10. I can get the previous years for more than HALF off.. but is it worth it? Am I missing out on improved gameplay features, enhancements, bug fixes, etc by NOT getting the new version? Or am I missing out a polished game and instead getting new and perhaps worse or unpolished elements by getting a redesigned game for the new year?

Aw man, you're blowing money doing that!!

I'm still playing FiFA 96 - got it for $1.26 !!!!

Aw man, you're blowing money doing that!!

I'm still playing FiFA 96 - got it for $1.26 !!!!

You're also playing Madden 2010. :D

I'm in the same position when it comes to Madden, FIFA, and NHL 10. I can get the previous years for more than HALF off.. but is it worth it?

Half Off ??

Actually, I did some searches on Ebay for completed auctions on Madden 09, NBA 2K9 and Fifa 09, and both Madden and NBA are going for less than $10 with shipping and everything. In fact, some people are getting those games for like 6 or 7 bucks! Fifa 09 is around $14 or $15, probably cause the new one just came out. In a few weeks, Fifa will likely be in the $9 range.

Ok so now can you answer my questions instead of correcting my price analysis? :D

I'm still enjoying playing Madden 09 casually, offline, this season, but by next season the old rosters will wear too thin and I'll need to pick up Madden 11. Unfortunately, I'm not one to mess with all draft, free-agent/trade features the game offers to clean it up a bit.

Ok so now can you answer my questions instead of correcting my price analysis? :D

Well, I'd say overall that Madden 09 is extremely similar to 10. There are definitely some minor differences and improvements, but when you can get 09 for like 8 bucks, I think for the cheap bastards out there (like me), Madden 09 is the way to go.

This is something I've struggled with in recent years. As I've become more and more frugal with my gaming dollars, I find myself every year weighing the pros and cons of paying full price for a sports game that essentially loses all value once that season is done. I haven't purchased an NBA game since NBA2k8, I've taken a 'bi-annual approach so I'm due to get one this year, then skip next year. I'd say go to a place like 2ksports.com or Operationsports and read the forums for 2k9/2k10 comparisons. My advice would be, if you're a casual gamer who could care less about having the most up to date features and rosters, getting 2k9 this year for peanuts may be the way to go.