Any annual sports game release is under pressure to deliver a new experience while retaining the familiarity of the previous version. It can't be so easy that it bores the hardcores, nor so difficult that it scares the casuals. As Visual Concepts' newest entry in the NBA 2K series hits digital store shelves, it's a reminder that the NBA season is nearly upon us, so let's see how the NBA's signature video game series did.
So what's new?
This year's MyPlayer mode is called "Fire & Concrete," and is the story of a former high school star whose path to college basketball was upended by an early twist in his story before working his way back up. Your player's journey will take you from streetball tournaments to the G-League and up to the NBA as you complete challenges and develop your character. It's an easy-to-understand storyline with enough character moments to keep you invested.
The animations have taken a step forward in terms of improving the fluidity of layups and up-and-unders. Depending on the angle you use to attack the rim and the attributes of your player, no two layups will look quite the same, even from the same player.
While the ability to play as WNBA teams isn't new, the ability to create a woman player underwent several significant improvements. The character creation engine is built on the same one as NBA players now and features the same customization and attribute builds as the men. Additionally, you can take your woman MyPlayer to The City and even participate in coed in every game variation there.
What are the game modes?
You can play through different eras of NBA history: The Magic vs. Bird Era (1983), Jordan Era (1991), Kobe Era (2003), LeBron Era (2010) and Steph Era (2016) -- though, the LeBron Era probably hasn't ended yet? Games in each Era are complete with period-appropriate rosters, TV graphics and jerseys. If you ever wanted to see the Seattle SuperSonics take the court against the New Jersey Nets, this is your time to shine.
NBA 2K27 also takes it a step further by allowing you to create a MyPlayer and drop them into the time period of your choice. For those nostalgic for whatever they consider the "glory days" of the NBA to be, this is a fun diversion. The game uses special filters to make the game look the way it did on TV at the time. If you grew up with older generations of the NBA, this game is a trip down memory lane and does justice to the arenas, jerseys and lineups of the time.
The MyTeam mode allows you to build your team by completing challenges and acquiring player cards, a familiar sight from any of the recent editions of the game. This is a mode that will take a healthy amount of time -- and plenty of Virtual Currency (VC) -- as you continue to fine-tune your team.
MyGM is the game mode for RPG lovers. You take over as the GM of an NBA franchise and are responsible for accomplishing ownership's goals, shaping the roster in a way that gives your club the best chance to win, and keeping your players satisfied. You can choose to simulate the games or play them out.
You can also play the WNBA season, either in The W, where you take your MyPlayer to the league or in MyWNBA, in which you take over a franchise and attempt to create your own dynasty. Want to lead the Connecticut Sun to glory before they move to Houston? Here is your last chance.
The City is a returning feature from previous seasons, in which you inhabit a mini-city devoted to basketball, from practicing your skills to upgrading your look, and most notably competing online against worldwide opponents. The City is still one of the most robust offerings in the NBA 2K series, with many different angles to interact with the game of basketball. However, you need an online account with your console of choice to get the most out of this mode, or else you will routinely lock yourself out of much of its content.
Three and D
The defensive control in this game is unforgiving -- whether you play three-on-three or five-on-five. If you're not in front of your man at all times, they can blow right past you to the hoop. It might be tempting to jump passing lanes for the steal or overcommit to blocking a shot, but if you are not successful, it will lead to a defensive breakdown. If you're not on point with your defense, your opponents could make a 2026 New York Knicks-type comeback.
The revamped defensive mechanics in this game will reward aggressive players who get the timing cues right, as shot contests factor into the shooter's green zone. It's a fitting tweak, considering the cover star is the league's best shot-blocker. Though you can use the right stick to keep your hands up, that seems to slow you down. Take it from me, focus on quickness when guarding.
For those who haven't played an NBA 2K game in a while, when the shooter starts their motion, a small meter appears next to them and if you perfect the release of the ball at the top of the meter, which is green, then the shot has its best chance to connect. However, the level of green is dependent on many factors, including the shooter's skill build, the defensive ability of the nearest defender, the spot on the court and many others ... just like the real NBA. Nail your timing, and you can live by the 3-ball, just like the 2023-24 Boston Celtics. Make poor shot selections, and your run could be over early, like the 2025-26 Celtics.
So can I just pick up and play?
Yes, you can, and it's not bad. If you don't care for complex attribute builds or the side pursuits of the other modes, you can simply pick two teams -- from any era -- and get down to business. The basics of the game, such as passing and shooting, are still intuitive if you just want a back-and-forth arcade-type of experience. If your goal for the game is just an easy gameplay or party game experience, this is it.
In fact, the NBA Today mode allows you to pick from that day's real-time NBA games with up-to-date rosters if you want to play the NBA season day-by-day.
Scouting report
If you've played any NBA 2K game in previous years, you know that if you want your MyPlayer or MyTeam to keep up with the online game, you're either going to need to grind or pay for a lot of VC to keep upgrading them. For many, this could be a limiting factor.
Nonetheless, this game is a fantastic representation of the game of basketball, from the story mode to the many things to do in The City, and particularly to the detail in the NBA and WNBA modes. There are enough improvements over the previous editions to make this year's edition feel fresh, and it is easy to find yourself sinking hours into the game. We've never had an NBA simulation that has felt as realistic as this.