NBA 2K16

 PlayStation 4
User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 467 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 269 out of 467
  2. Mixed: 97 out of 467
  3. Negative: 101 out of 467
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  1. boobear
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    Great Game LEBRON ofc so its very good so yeah its too great too good and i luv it
  2. RileyMilkman
    Jul 12, 2022
    9
    This Game Us The Best In History, Graphics, Defense Is Fantastic, Shot Timing Was Good! NBA 2K16 > NBA 2K22
  3. Ty1991
    Mar 25, 2022
    10
    Wanted to start playing basketball games again since I haven't really been into the sport since 2006. Tried 2k22 and realized whi I don't like basketball games then my friend told me to try this one and even tho it's older, best basketball game on the ps4
  4. AnthonyDiMattia
    Sep 11, 2021
    9
    Best My Career ever with solid gameplay and a top tier MyTeam. This game is a classic for a reason.
  5. ItzChristian25
    Sep 24, 2020
    10
    This is one of the best 2ks of all time it was so fun, 2k16 and 2k17 were just great games
  6. arnan34official
    Feb 21, 2018
    9
    the king of sports games!! 100% recommended! The closest I've seen of reality!
  7. TheCornflex
    Jan 31, 2018
    8
    The first NBA 2K I played. All Modes are pretty cool to be honest only thing I don't like is that the servers are shut down so fast, so you have to get a newer title more often. I did not know that the franchise did not evolve but devolve for the next titles therefore 2K16 gets a much higher score than the following 2Ks.
  8. wegie125
    Nov 14, 2017
    8
    I think everyone here knows by now that the story in this game is just so bad, and it is. I am not one to usually play the nba series games and this one was the only one I actually played (I have 2k15 but never play it). This game was free also, just thought I would mention that because it does sway my review a bit because I never actually payed for the game. I think this game though isI think everyone here knows by now that the story in this game is just so bad, and it is. I am not one to usually play the nba series games and this one was the only one I actually played (I have 2k15 but never play it). This game was free also, just thought I would mention that because it does sway my review a bit because I never actually payed for the game. I think this game though is simple enough for me to like because I didn't waste money on something and I had no expectations going in on what to expect. I honestly still play this version of NBA regardless that there are two new installments out right now. I know the story is bad, I know the gameplay isn't perfect, but honestly I have spent so much time playing this game that I really have no legit reason to complain or give it a bad score. Time flew when I played this game and it even still does now. I can't complain. I have enjoyed it thus far… Expand
  9. sgthombre
    Sep 23, 2016
    9
    I'm just writing at least 150 characters because I wanted to save this review in a more convenient way to look back at scores that I had given stuff as a user.
  10. JackAttack12
    Jul 5, 2016
    8
    So I've had 2k16 since release and now since its PlayStation plus freebie I've decided to do a review.
    NBA 2k16 is a great sports game and is one of the best on the market. The gameplay now is better then before and now you actually have to know how to play basketball and call plays in order to win the game. Another thing is that there is no more scoring countless of contested shots    So I've had 2k16 since release and now since its PlayStation plus freebie I've decided to do a review.
    NBA 2k16 is a great sports game and is one of the best on the market. The gameplay now is better then before and now you actually have to know how to play basketball and call plays in order to win the game. Another thing is that there is no more scoring countless of contested shots either. The new game modes seem to be good. With the play now online now its encourages you to choose lower ranked teams as you'll get more rewards and you have to " play to win" with their new ranking system. Myteam looks the same with the nice new addition of the gauntlet mode and Myleague and MYGM have new customization that are fun to mess around with. Also another strong point is the new Myplayer customizations and improvements, I felt like the new improvements actually felt like you were getting better rather than buying everything.
    But now here are the downsides that keep this game away from perfect 10. First of all NBA 2K is an annual release so if you have an updated roster you can probably stick to NBA 2k15. and secondly is Mycareer. The new Spike Lee directed Mycareer mode felt like you were controlling someone else's career rather then yours hence ruining the name MYcareer.
    Overall 2k16 is a dominate sports and even if you don't get it free it deserves the $50-$40 purchase that it is.    … Expand
  11. bismarckcea
    Jul 3, 2016
    9
    Nba2k16 (Ps4) is the best Nba game i ever played in years! the graphics is great the players look exactly the same you can see the shoes that their wearing it's awesome! i can not wait to play Nba2k17 : )
  12. Dal_ReviewedDat
    Jun 8, 2016
    8
    PS+ freebie June 2016:

    So, PS+ time again, and at last another AAA title for free, £55, for free. I assume this is only on the EU release as free, given our lack of love for Basketball! It's true, I don't really understand or like Basketball, so this is a review from that view-point. Unlike other sports sims, I found my first game of NBA2K16 actually really REALLY refreshing.    PS+ freebie June 2016:

    So, PS+ time again, and at last another AAA title for free, £55, for free.

    I assume this is only on the EU release as free, given our lack of love for Basketball!

    It's true, I don't really understand or like Basketball, so this is a review from that view-point.

    Unlike other sports sims, I found my first game of NBA2K16 actually really REALLY refreshing. Firstly, no commentary. If you're going to invest a lot of hours into a sports game, as I have in ProEvo in the past, I've grown to detest the commentary. First few plays its always okay - after hearing the same comments over and over again, it becomes like a knife in the side every time they repeat the sentence for the 4th or 5th time within 10 minutes. Instead, NBA2K16 has a soundtrack. Which I've liked so far!

    My understanding of basketball is that it's a game of attrition. The matches aren't about scoring as much as 'breaking the oppositions serve' as such. It's a given that the majority of runs at the hoop will see points, and the game makes this very fluid and very easy. I found using the Square button to shoot a little confusing at first, and my first game vs a friend was dominated by both of us endlessly travelling - but a few games in, I started using the right stick and shoulder botton's more for tricks, quick turns and extremely fluid play. I also figured out the balance of the game sits with your defence line blocking more than they block of you.

    To compare this to another sports title - I would compare it to the old NHL on the mega-drive. Something clicked with that game, it was very fast, simple to play, hard to master - and NBA2K16 feels like that. It took me literally 8 games to get a slam dunk in as such.

    As someone that has little understanding of the sport, or any knowledge of teams past knowing Michael Jordan, I am surprised at how enjoyable this game is. If you don't catch it on PS+, I would recommend paying up to £25 for this on future sales - but given its a sports sim, it will probably have an annual release and this version will be bargain bucket on ebay within the year if not!    … Expand
  13. MaxPayneIsGod
    Jun 6, 2016
    8
    The best basketball sim available with tons of game modes and heaps of option. There is literally 100s of hours in this game if you have the time to invest. I do however have 2 gripes, 1 minor, the other major.

    Its a little too realistic to the point that it restricts gameplay. The shot mechanic is very hard to get used to and I find myself watching the gauge instead of the game. Then    The best basketball sim available with tons of game modes and heaps of option. There is literally 100s of hours in this game if you have the time to invest. I do however have 2 gripes, 1 minor, the other major.

    Its a little too realistic to the point that it restricts gameplay. The shot mechanic is very hard to get used to and I find myself watching the gauge instead of the game. Then again every time you sink a shot it feels that little bit more rewarding.

    Now, the major gripe. Holy Hell 2K what were you thinking with the Story Mode!? It is hands down the most ridiculous and worst video game story in the history of video games. I love Spike Lee, most of his movies are fantastic but the "brush" he has tainted 2K with is too glaringly obvious to ignore. I created a character to represent MYSELF therefore I made a white male with a beard; woah and behold the story FORCES my character to have a blatantly African American voice, be a twin of an African American sister and have African American parents. I could not believe that there were no options. And speaking of options, the story branches into what you would expect to be "Choice" situations, like which shoes do I like? which friend to I cut off etc etc. There are no choices what-so-ever and you're shunted on by the narrative which is, in effect, a poor man's He Got Game.

    No doubt 2K realises the huge mistake they made using the Spike Lee Joint to try and hook gamers (it worked on me) however it will be extremely unlikely that they take this route again.

    Oh, and one last thing, I started one of the owner/manager modes and who walked into the scene, my created character who I wanted nothing to do with. That's right, the game pigeon holes you into using the same broken character in whichever custom mode you play.

    2K16 is a good game let down by some poor choices by the publisher. I'm looking forward to 2K17 and its step away from a Spike Lee Joint. In the mean time its Madden 16.    … Expand
  14. Deckz
    Apr 1, 2016
    8
    This game is so typical, yet not. the gameplay is insane, it is easily the best played sportsgame out there. but everything around it is a miss, the story just about ok, and the fact that there is a story is cool, so i don't mind that much, but i was expecting to have way more options in career mode. i like it when a sports game can explain how it works with simple setups, and yet haveThis game is so typical, yet not. the gameplay is insane, it is easily the best played sportsgame out there. but everything around it is a miss, the story just about ok, and the fact that there is a story is cool, so i don't mind that much, but i was expecting to have way more options in career mode. i like it when a sports game can explain how it works with simple setups, and yet have insane amounts of options that i don't have to fiddle with, but still be there. the character creation is **** and i also lost my cool since the first time i had to use their custom keyboard to register an account, later to find out, i had to confirm email, and then go though the horror of that keyboard again the next day.
    i realise im rambling here, but my main point is: gameplay = 10. everything else = a weak 6    … Expand
  15. Jarbear28
    Mar 29, 2016
    8
    The gameplay is awesome and realistic. It feels like basketball. The voice acting was mediocre and the story itself wasn't that great but what can you expect from a basketball game. If you enjoy basketball, you'll enjoy this game.
  16. Kanazawa
    Mar 29, 2016
    8
    To say I'm surprised about the my career mode is a bit of an understatement. My lord I had to review this game because the dialogue is fantastic. By far the best my career mode I have ever seen. Love that high school mode more than anything as well.
  17. josemr01
    Feb 26, 2016
    10
    El mejor juego deportivo del Mercado. La jugabilidad es exquisita, la ambientación y banda sonora buenísima. El modo GM además ofrece aspectos de gestión muy exhaustivos, por lo que el partido que se le puede sacar al juego junto al resto de opciones es casi infinito.
  18. Mr-X
    Feb 22, 2016
    9
    Beautiful Graphics, upgraded AI and gameplay, but occasionally laggy multiplayer and meaningless myCareer "movie" slightly hampers several aspects of the game.
  19. Jbussy
    Feb 15, 2016
    9
    The 2016 installment of NBA 2k is one of the best all-around basketball simulator put out by this company. The gameplay found in this game is pretty similar to past installments of the game minus a couple control tweaks. One of te biggest new improvements to the A.I. is that they adapt to the way you play, for instance if you shoot a lot of perimeter shots the defense will adapt to that.The 2016 installment of NBA 2k is one of the best all-around basketball simulator put out by this company. The gameplay found in this game is pretty similar to past installments of the game minus a couple control tweaks. One of te biggest new improvements to the A.I. is that they adapt to the way you play, for instance if you shoot a lot of perimeter shots the defense will adapt to that. My GM is relatively the same but now you can customize pretty much every aspect of your team if you have the funds. All of the changes made in My GM are present in the My League mode. The story mode added My Career is alright but I found myself waiting for the scenes to end and not really caring about what happens to them due to the lack of choices I got to make. NBA 2k16 feels like it has made some major improvements from the last year and the series is definitely still one of the best sports simulators out there.
    9/10

    JB    … Expand
  20. BShaps
    Jan 17, 2016
    10
    This is the most realistic basketball game I've ever played. I'm playing on the Bulls in myCareer mode and D Rose gets hurt almost every game he plays in. 10/10 for realism.
  21. Crux037
    Dec 14, 2015
    8
    It's still the best basketball game in court, but the MyPlayer mode definitely let me down (despite the addition of college basketball): how Spike Lee directed it make me feel I have no choice at all. And the story is too predictable and caricature (the agent is basically a walking parody of one, making you feel uncomfortable with the cliche). And I didn't mention the impossibility ofIt's still the best basketball game in court, but the MyPlayer mode definitely let me down (despite the addition of college basketball): how Spike Lee directed it make me feel I have no choice at all. And the story is too predictable and caricature (the agent is basically a walking parody of one, making you feel uncomfortable with the cliche). And I didn't mention the impossibility of playing all the 82 games, making it harder to develop your player. A rewind to the NBA 2k15 MyPlayer with the addition of college and maybe a free roaming on your team would be a significant improvement than that MyPlayer.… Expand
  22. L4DLegend91
    Dec 2, 2015
    9
    *DISCLAIMER* I haven't played online or MyCareer yet, so this only from a MyGM mode and exhibition game standpoint.

    I liked last years game for being easy to pick up, get into and play without issue. 2K16 takes the simple gameplay, adds some small nuances to make it better, add difficulty to making shots and driving to the basket, and ultimately made the game better. The MyGM is robust    *DISCLAIMER* I haven't played online or MyCareer yet, so this only from a MyGM mode and exhibition game standpoint.

    I liked last years game for being easy to pick up, get into and play without issue. 2K16 takes the simple gameplay, adds some small nuances to make it better, add difficulty to making shots and driving to the basket, and ultimately made the game better. The MyGM is robust and adds a lot of features that is going to add many hours or game time, making it as thorough as any other season or GM mode from any sports game.

    The presentation is beautiful and the music adds a great vibe to the game.

    Of course, I haven't played online or the Career Mode, but I will soon.    … Expand
  23. EL_TAHA
    Nov 13, 2015
    8
    I only play My Career and I have been enjoying it. Gameplay is great, but i have some minor things to mention.
    1- you cannot skip cut scenes ( which should be a default option for any game with a cut scene)
    2- you cannot sim the game except after starting the game, i play most of the games but with 82 per season its a bit long 3-Simming the game also makes you lose your off day, its    I only play My Career and I have been enjoying it. Gameplay is great, but i have some minor things to mention.
    1- you cannot skip cut scenes ( which should be a default option for any game with a cut scene)
    2- you cannot sim the game except after starting the game, i play most of the games but with 82 per season its a bit long
    3-Simming the game also makes you lose your off day, its perfectly logical that if i sim a game i dont get any gold and that is fine. but why take away my off day, im only simming the game...

    Other than that, its as addictive as ever.    … Expand
  24. Playstation_fan
    Nov 9, 2015
    10
    The best sports game in years. No for real, this game is that good. There are so many options and modes to get yourself addicted to. MyTeam is back and they finally have an Action to by your favourite players. Never really been a fan of MyTeam till this year. My Career is back with a little Spike Lee flavour and its as cheesy as ever. Some of the things they say are ridiculous and almostThe best sports game in years. No for real, this game is that good. There are so many options and modes to get yourself addicted to. MyTeam is back and they finally have an Action to by your favourite players. Never really been a fan of MyTeam till this year. My Career is back with a little Spike Lee flavour and its as cheesy as ever. Some of the things they say are ridiculous and almost painful to watch. Once the first season is done we get into the meat of my career and it is cooked to perfection. you now get the option on how you want to spend your off days and it makes the mode more enjoyable. My Park is also as good as ever with more customizable options you can get lost for days at the park.
    No sports game out now a days gives you these many options to pick and choose from. My Career story was a little disappointing but still better than any story Madden has ever tried to tell. The people at 2K seem to care about there games and I respect them for that. This truly is the best sports game in recent history.    … Expand
  25. bulletchan
    Nov 9, 2015
    8
    Best sports game on the market, even better than the last one which is hard to believe for me. Hands down for this ultimate basketball experience. Get it ASAP!
  26. Darth24
    Oct 28, 2015
    8
    This game is an improvement from 2K15 in many different areas, and improves every mode in a different way, and allows for a more improved basketball simulator, and is the most realistic basketball made to date and should be played by any and all basketball fans.
  27. Sh4rk82
    Oct 14, 2015
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's always a solid game absolutely a must have if you like basketball or simply having fun with sport games. 2k has been able to improve a one already great product. Gameplay a little bit difficult for new gamer but once you became more confortable with the controller you can really appreciate the amazing possibility that the game give to you.… Expand
  28. kamykoski
    Oct 5, 2015
    10
    Best sports game on the market, even better than the last one which is hard to believe for me. Hands down for this ultimate basketball experience. Get it ASAP!
  29. theygo
    Oct 4, 2015
    10
    Perfect game, as usual in NBA2k series. Improvement in graphics, game-play and My career mode, which is easier now to get hooked on. Brilliant animations and atmosphere. 2K still know what they are doing. Even online servers still are not as good as they should be, this is a 10.
  30. Lavaunrobinson
    Oct 1, 2015
    10
    Best sports game period... Level of customization is crazy.... Story is insane....geame modes and new features are amazing...graphics are some of the best in gaming and on top if that its gameplay is beautiful
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Awards & Rankings

15
#15 Best PS4 Game of 2015
36
#36 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2015
21
#21 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 51 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 51
  3. Negative: 0 out of 51
  1. Sporting News
    Mar 3, 2016
    100
    NBA 2K16 has raised the bar not just for future iterations of the series but for every sports game developed beyond this point.
    Read full review
  2. CD-Action
    Dec 16, 2015
    80
    Let’s forget about terrible cutscenes directed by Spike Lee – the game itself is still a joy to play. [12/2015, p.54]
  3. DarkStation
    Dec 15, 2015
    80
    NBA 2K16 continues to be at the top of its game, even if the new career mode isn’t everything I wanted from a Spike Lee joint.
    Read full review
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