When you leave work today and start the long drive home, don’t.

Don’t go straight home, that is. Take a side trip to the video game store first.

Today, “NBA Live 09″ hits the shelves, promising a better, broader experience in digital basketball. The game, distributed by Electronic Arts, plays on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable systems, and becomes available worldwide on Friday.

A fifth edition, “NBA Live 09: All-Play” made for Wii, targets social and family players by offering simpler controls and easier interaction that what hard core “NBA Live” players appreciate.

New to the simulation this year is something called “dynamic DNA,” a step forward in player emulation, brought to you by data indexer Synergy Sports Technology, that heightens on-court realism and team interaction.

The good news with this is, player data updates daily, so Game Guy presumes that if Shaq decides to grow his hair again you’ll see it get longer with each system startup. The bad news is, these daily updates are available only on Xbox 360 and PS3.

There’s also a FIBA World Championship mode for those who prefer a more cosmopolitan, world-sports experience.

“NBA Live 09″ is rated “E” for Everyone. It costs $59.99 for Xbox and PS3, $49.99 for Wii and $29.99 for PS2