*Title: NBA 2K26
System: Xbox Series X
Edition: Superstar Edition*
Hoops and video games have always been linked together in my fandom of basketball. From NBA Live, NBA Street, and other basketball games, getting on the digital hardwood has meant more than shooting baskets at my local court.
Nowadays, the NBA 2K series has dominated the basketball video game market as the only game to play as the best ballers in the world. The feature set for NBA 2K is packed with so many features that it has been hard for me to consistently remain engaged with each edition of the series.
Hardcore fans will obsess over every minor upgrade and detail of NBA 2K26 and are likely to buy the game every year, but what about gamers who are casual players or would like to see if this iteration is worth their time and money? In my review, I'll provide my impressions of NBA 2K26 from the perspective of gamers who have been feeling the itch to get back into the 2K but are wondering if this year's edition will be worth taking the plunge.
NBA 2K26's Gameplay Makes a Huge Comeback
2K Games
To be honest, the gameplay mechanics of the NBA 2K series have been a mixed bag, with the game tinkering with the formula of on-court action over the years. Previous games felt like it was punishing new and casual players with complicated features to control players on both ends of the floor.
NBA 2K26 features numerous upgrades, including ProPLAY's new machine-learning models that enhance player movement. Descriptions of the game state that this is the biggest change to movement since NBA 2K21, and it shows. Players move more fluidly and lifelike compared to their real-life counterparts. I felt previous games were moving in quicksand and failed to capture the speed and athleticism seen on television and in person.
This year's edition is a massive improvement with enhanced rhythm shooting that allows players to understand how the shooting mechanic works. Defense has received upgrades, including redesigned interior defense, new player-to-player collision tech, improved body-ups, and rebound timing feedback.
I also feel like the game does a solid job of punishing the player for mistakes while rewarding the user for making the correct basketball play. The Learn 2K and tutorials in MyTEAM flesh out the experience for beginners. With all the modes 2K includes, if the gameplay is bad or even mediocre, the rest of the game falls apart. Thankfully, with all the improvements, NBA 2K26 gameplay is the foundation of why this year's entry should be considered for those who abandoned the series.
Score: 9
NBA 2K26 Delivers Stunning Graphics for Stars, But WNBA and NPC Models Still Lag Behind
2K Games
Lifelike graphics have always been a hallmark of the NBA 2K series. 2K26 continues its tradition of striking visuals of the top stars of the league. Players display emotions such as excitement, joy, and passion throughout games. Arenas continue to reflect their real-life counterparts. Characters in the MyCAREER storyline Out of Bounds retain the same quality of visuals through different environments.
The negatives that stand out the most include a lesser quality to the character renderings of WNBA players, older non-legend NBA players, and other NPCs seen throughout a game (cheerleaders, fans, and coaches). While NBA 2K has some of the best character models in all of sports games, hopefully, WNBA players and NPCs will get the same treatment in future installments.
Score: 8
NBA 2K26's Out of Bounds Delivers a Compelling Story Rooted in Today's Game
2K Games
Story modes in sports games have mixed results, but I really enjoyed the Out of Bounds
storyline, as the dialogue rivals other games with robust single-player campaigns. The interactions between your MyPLAYER and other NPCs are authentic and natural as your baller moves from an unknown prospect from a small town to the big leagues of the NBA.
It was also cool to see how your MyPLAYER measures up against the elite prospects. Normally, the ability to only control a single player during a game is a deterrent, but with this mode, it felt like I was able to impact the game based on my performance. The mode will take you from high school and the Club League team (2K equivalent of AAU) to explore different paths to the NBA, including playing in Europe. This is a welcome addition as it further expands how basketball is now a global game.
My only nitpick is that the NPCs always refer to your character as "MP." It would have increased my immersion if different names were available, even generic ones, instead of repeating "MP" every time. However, Out of Bounds' narrative is fun and provides an enriching experience.
Score:9
While Some Presentation Elements Shine, the Missing Television Partner Leaves a Gap
Being a massive basketball fan, the smaller details of a basketball broadcast matter from the play-by-play and color commentators, public address announcers, and the in-arena experience. NBA 2K26 nails this as the commentary remains diverse with Tim Legler joining the commentary team alongside Kevin Harlan, Greg Anthony, Stan Van Gundy, Shams Charania, and others. With new PA announcers being updated, the presentation of each game remains fresh. Little touches, such as male and female cheerleaders during timeouts, and seeing fans make or miss half-court shots, increase the immersion.
Conversely, the lack of a television partner for the in-game presentation is jarring. In past games, the NBA 2K series teamed up with former NBA television partner TNT Sports for its presentation, including featuring the Inside the NBA Crew of Ernie Johnson Jr., Kenny Smith,
Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal. While the game's graffiti style looks cool, partnering with a current broadcast partner with the NBA would have increased my engagement.
Overall Verdict
NBA 2K26 needs to be praised for listening to fan feedback on gameplay and making key improvements to please hardcore players while encouraging new players to be initiated into the world of NBA 2K. Microtransactions rear their ugly head in multiple modes, and presentation elements could be improved to match real-life broadcasts. But NBA 2K26 is the most excited I have been for an NBA 2K game in a while, and we'll keep you satisfied and busy through the upcoming NBA season.
Final Score:8.7
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