NBA 09 The Inside Scores With High-Flying Hoops Action for PS3, PSP and PS2

October 7, 2008

NBA 09 The Inside Scores With
High-Flying Hoops Action for PLAYSTATION3, PSP, and PlayStation2

NBA Titles Deliver Full-Featured
Franchise Options, Deep Player Customization, and Introduction of ‘The Life’
Mode to PS3

Sony Computer Entertainment America
Inc. (SCEA) announced today the North American release of NBA 09 The Inside
available on the PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system, PSP system, and
PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. From Sony Computer Entertainment
Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) San Diego Studio, the development studio that
brought MLB 08 The Show, NBA 09 The Inside provides fans with a comprehensive
basketball game experience including character customization, unique gameplay
modes and mini-games, and true-to-life NBA action in Full HD 1080p high
definition. In addition to stunning graphics and realistic gameplay, a variety
of exciting features such as Franchise mode, "The Life" on PS3, and an expanded
Team Progression mode makes NBA 09 The Inside the most exciting basketball game
franchise available.

"NBA 09 The Inside once again
showcases the development talent at SCE WWS San Diego Studio and their efforts
to create the best NBA game available," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President,
Product Marketing, SCEA. "With new Franchise and The Life modes, unique
mini-games, and high-def sports gaming action, NBA 09 The Inside delivers the
most robust basketball gameplay available across the family of PlayStation
consoles."

For the first time on PS3, NBA 09
The Inside includes "The Life," providing fans with a chance to experience the
life of an NBA professional athlete as they deal with everything from
interaction with teammates to earning endorsement deals for their performance on
the court. This year The Life starts fresh, allowing players to control the
paths of three different characters while guiding them through a variety of
challenges in three distinct storylines. Players will have the chance to work
their way up the ranks, including participation in the NBA Development League,
in their quest for NBA glory.

NBA 09 The Inside for PS3 immerses
fans in a full-featured Franchise Mode for the first time, allowing players to
try their hand at running a team including the management of drafts, trades, and
salaries. Additionally, team performance statistics are monitored and tracked on
virtually every level. The highly acclaimed "Progression System" returns with
Team Progression, where players are rewarded for game exploration and
advancement by providing numerous customizable player options. This year,
players will have the opportunity to create up to five custom progression
players and utilize them in a number of modes including Franchise, The Life, and
even online. The sights and sounds of the game will be delivered just like a
true NBA broadcast with authentic calls from play-by-play announcer Kevin
Calabro and in-depth color commentary from current NBA analyst Kenny "The Jet"
Smith. Broadcast style overlays, newly incorporated in-game highlights, and
dramatic cut scenes blend together to transport gamers into a slick and organic
NBA-themed world.

For those who want to take their
game on the go, NBA 09 The Inside is available for PSP, and offers the perfect
combination of arcade and simulation basketball. The classic "Conquest" mode is
back, allowing players to participate in a game of territory acquisition and
management where awards are used to upgrade player attributes and home city
amenities. "Elimiquest" is a new mini-game with an added twist, challenging
players in the traditional Conquest mode but engaging in Elimination mini-game
rules during play.

Carnival style mini-games also
return to NBA 09 The Inside for PSP with a fresh look and new addition to the
NBA franchise in "Alley Oop." Alley Oop is a table top arcade game tied to a
bowling mechanic and is played with the PSP turned vertically. Players will roll
a basketball up an alley, running the ball through and around a variety of
goals, multipliers, and pins. Additional pick up and play mini-games return
including Give & Go, Bang the Boards, FastBreak, and Elimination. The game also
features a "Pick Up" mode where players can choose from 10 randomly selected NBA
players to take on the CPU or challenge another player in an outdoor full-court
game.

NBA 09 The Inside for PlayStation 2
delivers non-stop action with a solid NBA simulation and 16 mini-games. The Life
mode is also offered on the PS2 and gamers will have the opportunity to play as
each of the five starting positions as they progress through each scenario of
The Life. Players will experience enhanced gameplay which means more realistic
shooting, dribbling, and core fundamentals, along with improved artificial
intelligence and balanced individual and team defenses.

PlayStation has also partnered with
VIBE Magazine for a special promotion as part of this launch. VIBE will be
prominently featured on 250,000 units of NBA ’09 The Inside via an on-pack
sticker. These specially marked games will include VIBE blow-in card offered
in-pack featuring the cover of VIBE’s 15th Anniversary Juice Issue with Jay-Z.
Buyers can mail in this card for a free one-year VIBE subscription. The
stickered games will be in stores from October 2008 through March 31, 2009.

The independent Entertainment
Software Rating Board (ESRB) rates NBA 09 The Inside "E" for "Everyone."