Nothing about a new NBA 2K game should be surprising anymore. At this point, every new 2K entry is less of a new game and more of an annual entry fee to the same platform with a handful of gameplay tweaks, visual improvements, and occasionally a new mode or piece of content. At the same time, developer Visual Concepts has aggregated virtually everything NBA-related into one place on this platform, and with NBA 2K26, it is making a concerted effort to address and improve areas that have been lacking in recent entries.
With the updated “Out of Bounds” MyCareer mode and some significant gameplay improvements, 2K26 has made some great steps forward and streamlined many of its systems, though it’s hard to ignore the pervasive microtransactions that feel built into every mode.
"Rival players in particular frequently appear right before the game in which you face them, forcing you to frequently prioritize outplaying them over winning the game."
2K’s MyCareer always holds the bulk of new content, and it returns this time to having a scripted narrative in the “Out of Bounds” mode. 2K has always had beautiful visuals and high production value stories being told, and this is no different, taking the player-character, who you can name but is always referred to as “MP,” through a season of high school club basketball and a season of European league basketball.
MP is an outspoken content creator documenting his path toward his dream of playing in the NBA, and the short-form videos he creates throughout the story give a surprisingly well-written snapshot of his psyche along the way, especially as he makes a few key decisions, including where to play club ball and which European team to sign with. Aside from those choices, though, the narrative is a linear sequence of a handful of games in each season, attempting to outplay your competition to show that you belong at the next level.
Where Out of Bounds excels, though, is in how it tries to weave the narrative and gameplay together between games with fully written and voiced cutscenes that show MP’s life off the court in ways that make 2K26’s MyCareer feel special and uniquely memorable for the first time in years. The narrative isn’t groundbreaking, especially for a 2K story, but it more than ever links what happens in the cutscenes to your goals, outcomes, and restrictions for each game.
MP spends most of his time with his parents or agent trying to navigate life as an up-and-coming basketball and social media star, but it’s a memorable larger set of characters that includes rival players, coaches, and media figures that make this story click. Rival players in particular frequently appear right before the game in which you face them, forcing you to frequently prioritize outplaying them over winning the game, and it culminates in surprisingly genuine scenes when you see each of your rivals at the European league All-Star Game.
NBA 2k26
"There’s virtually every type of basketball you could hope to play here, whether it’s pickup, competitive, or professional, and I appreciate how much there is to offer across each type of playstyle."
At the same time, Out of Bounds often gets more right in theory than in execution. It frequently falls into the classic 2K trap of rushing the story to get to the next game as quickly as possible, which amplifies the inevitable narrative tension in MP chasing his dream that we all know he’s going to achieve at the end.
When he does achieve that, though, it feels like he’s earned it, and as I’ve continued to play into his NBA career with the Wizards, it’s very rewarding to see occasional follow-up cutscenes with his parents, agent, or documentary crew as he looks to become the GOAT. Plus, I’m looking forward to replaying the story with a new player build and a new MP to make different choices.
NBA 2K26 cleverly builds its MyCareer into its online social platform with The Park. If you exit the arena for the MyCareer mode, you can take your MP and enter this year’s version of The Park, which is more efficiently laid out than ever, giving you access to the casual courts, competitive online play, and a litany of branded cosmetics shops.
There’s virtually every type of basketball you could hope to play here, whether it’s pickup, competitive, or professional, and I appreciate how much there is to offer across each type of playstyle. It further embraces the mindset of giving you as many modes and opportunities to play as possible and allowing you to pick which ones you prefer, and it’s often fun enough to just skateboard around The Park for some idle people watching.
NBA 2k26
"Every player, whether in MyCareer, MyTeam, MyNBA, or The W, can be customized with individual cosmetic items, badges, and perks, and these can all make the possession-to-possession gameplay of 2K diversified and enjoyable, depending on their performance."
Of course, the other major mode 2K has to offer each year is MyTeam, the card collecting team builder, though the biggest change this year is the inclusion of current and former WNBA players. As with past years, the main appeal of MyTeam is to collect cards and build your team, and there are dozens of different modes through which to play with your team, from individual games and missions to season-long challenges.
While that remains true, there’s very little here that caters to anyone who isn’t already interested in MyTeam from past years. While 2K is known for its litany of modes, from the more specialized MyCareer and MyTeam to traditional MyGM and MyNBA modes, it’s disappointing that these two modes hold the vast majority of this year’s updates, as the only notable update elsewhere is the limited “Offseason Scenarios” MyGM option.
Regardless of mode, the on-the-court gameplay feels like it’s taken a step forward in 2K26, whether you’re a 60-something-overall benchwarmer or a 90-something-overall superstar. First and foremost is the improved shot timing, which goes back to basics with a universal “Green or Miss” meter to more accurately mimic the actual act of shooting with consistent timing and a green zone that grows and shrinks with how open and balanced you are.
Combined with tangibly smoother shooting and dribbling animations, playmaking and scoring are as rewarding as they’ve been in recent years. Each play has an added weight that I haven’t felt in 2K in years, further improved by the GOAT mode abilities and other in-game changes that integrate a player’s streakiness and confidence. Every player, whether in MyCareer, MyTeam, MyNBA, or The W, can be customized with individual cosmetic items, badges, and perks, and these can all make the possession-to-possession gameplay of 2K diversified and enjoyable, depending on their performance.
What’s apparent with NBA 2K26, though, is how all of these cosmetics and micro-upgrades feed a system of microtransactions that actively detract from the gameplay. With 2K’s VC currency, you can purchase stat upgrades, new card packs in MyTeam, or cosmetics for your MP, and it’s approaching a stereotypical free-to-play pace with how comically slowly you gain VC compared to how quickly you can purchase it.
NBA 2k26
"However, as has become routine with each 2K game, the entire package, as polished and expansive as it is, requires a significant investment of either time or money in the form of microtransactions."
Of course, you are technically able to progress without purchasing any VC, but alongside the barrage of advertisements that continues to increase year over year, it begs the question whether 2K26 is worth the $70 entry fee on top of the financial or time investment needed to get to a competitive place with your players or teams.
The NBA 2K franchise is an unstoppable force in the sports gaming world, and each year’s entry seems to only move the needle up or down a few degrees. From a gameplay perspective, NBA 2K26 is a significant step forward with its smooth and simplistic style that feels as good as ever, and the attempts to streamline and expand MyCareer with the Out of Bounds mode are a major step forward and a great sign of things to come for the mode.
However, as has become routine with each 2K game, the entire package, as polished and expansive as it is, requires a significant investment of either time or money in the form of microtransactions; if you can overlook that, though that may be a tall task, this is 2K at its smoothest and most streamlined in years.
This game was reviewed on the PlayStatiom 5.