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. matzac15
    Sep 29, 2015
    9
    Pleasantly surprised by the overall improvements to the game by 2K. The My Team mode is better with more options and MyLeague/MyGM is completely revised to allow a build your own experience per franchise. MyCareer mode is in need of work for the story, but overall is a huge improvement for upcoming years. This game is a definite buy for any NBA fan and best sports game for 2015.
  2. seano4884
    Sep 29, 2015
    9
    Another superb outing from 2K with NBA 2K16. Gameplay is more refined and I love the changes to MyGM mode in particular. My one gripe with this game is the autoslave option and no that's not a typo. Forcing autosave on us again especially in MyGM mode slows the game down so much with the game having to save every 30 seconds when you move from date to date. GET RID OF IT 2K!

    Apart    Another superb outing from 2K with NBA 2K16. Gameplay is more refined and I love the changes to MyGM mode in particular. My one gripe with this game is the autoslave option and no that's not a typo. Forcing autosave on us again especially in MyGM mode slows the game down so much with the game having to save every 30 seconds when you move from date to date. GET RID OF IT 2K!

    Apart from that, one of the best sports game I've played.    … Expand
  3. Skazoo
    Sep 28, 2015
    8
    This pertains to offline game play only:

    When you actually get to play basketball in 2k16, the game is pretty great. The major problem is the Spike Lee MyPlayer portion. Horrible script, WAY too dramatic, and it's poorly executed. It's also super weird being a pale, white dude with an African American twin. After you get past your rookie year and the Spike Lee stuff gets out of the way,    This pertains to offline game play only:

    When you actually get to play basketball in 2k16, the game is pretty great. The major problem is the Spike Lee MyPlayer portion. Horrible script, WAY too dramatic, and it's poorly executed. It's also super weird being a pale, white dude with an African American twin. After you get past your rookie year and the Spike Lee stuff gets out of the way, the game gets good.    … Expand
  4. SpikeLee2k18
    Sep 27, 2015
    0
    This game made tons of improvements, but it failed in many areas that really mattered.

    1. Servers not fixed. 2. Spike Lee MyCareer mode limits freedom of story and presents racially charged stereotypes. If Spike Lee's name was not attached to this, I don't think 2K would have gotten away with this. 3. More Bugs... Players freezing or getting stuck. 4. My Court while cool doesn't    This game made tons of improvements, but it failed in many areas that really mattered.

    1. Servers not fixed.
    2. Spike Lee MyCareer mode limits freedom of story and presents racially charged stereotypes. If Spike Lee's name was not attached to this, I don't think 2K would have gotten away with this.
    3. More Bugs... Players freezing or getting stuck.
    4. My Court while cool doesn't currently allow custom logos    … Expand
  5. LedLoaf
    Sep 27, 2015
    10
    This is easily the best basketball game ever made, maybe the best sport game out. Everyone talks about MyPlayer and to be honest I don't really care about it. I don't care about a story mode in a sports game. All I care about is gameplay. I like to pick a team and battle it out. The game play is very smooth. The pace is a little bit quicker and the passing and juking seems very fluid. EvenThis is easily the best basketball game ever made, maybe the best sport game out. Everyone talks about MyPlayer and to be honest I don't really care about it. I don't care about a story mode in a sports game. All I care about is gameplay. I like to pick a team and battle it out. The game play is very smooth. The pace is a little bit quicker and the passing and juking seems very fluid. Even the graphics to me look very well polished from last year. You now have the lob pass to get the ball to the post players and dominate for once. The defense has improved a lot and even cuts off the baseline exploit to dunk the basket on breakaway. You see a lot of interceptions and turn overs if you don't pass the ball correctly. You will be blocked if you make difficult shots. It's realistic and people who complain just want to run in with someone and beat the game with one person. The online lag is GREAT this year I didn't play last year because I found the lag to be unbearable.

    If all you care about is MyPlayer then you will be a little disappointed. The story is what you would expect in a "sports game" (not that good). You still play in high school, college, and the leap to the big leagues and get drafted. It's the same game as before and people disappointed about the story are expecting some big RPG story that you're not going to find in a sports game.

    This is a must have game for any fan of basketball or just sports in general. The game play is the best it has ever been and I can't stop playing it. Spike Lee has never made a good film in his entire life, what was he suppose to add to make this amazing? Deal with it, the mode to play as a player is still there and now has better game play. I give this game a 10 because of the little kids who actually give this game a 0 and not even explain what they didn't like. I would give it a solid 9/10 without thinking. Get this game    … Expand
  6. SpikeLee2k17
    Sep 27, 2015
    0
    This game made tons of improvements, but it failed in many areas that really mattered.

    1. Servers not fixed. 2. Spike Lee MyCareer mode limits freedom of story and presents racially charged stereotypes. If Spike Lee's name was not attached to this, I don't think 2K would have gotten away with this. 3. More Bugs... Players freezing or getting stuck. 4. My Court while cool doesn't    This game made tons of improvements, but it failed in many areas that really mattered.

    1. Servers not fixed.
    2. Spike Lee MyCareer mode limits freedom of story and presents racially charged stereotypes. If Spike Lee's name was not attached to this, I don't think 2K would have gotten away with this.
    3. More Bugs... Players freezing or getting stuck.
    4. My Court while cool doesn't currently allow custom logos.    … Expand
  7. entertheziggy
    Sep 27, 2015
    7
    First of all, I would like to say the game has made a lot of improvements to the opponent and team AI. Lots of graphical updates and I like how the crowd reacts in unison. The interviews that happen in the middle of the games from the players is kinda cool, makes the experience feel a bit more authentic. I also appreciate the defensive mechanics and the upgraded passing mechanics.First of all, I would like to say the game has made a lot of improvements to the opponent and team AI. Lots of graphical updates and I like how the crowd reacts in unison. The interviews that happen in the middle of the games from the players is kinda cool, makes the experience feel a bit more authentic. I also appreciate the defensive mechanics and the upgraded passing mechanics.

    However, the MyCareer mode, "Livin' da Dream" was a very disappointing experience. The tagline of this mode was #BeTheStory, and the only real choices I made was how my (non-black) character looked and the college he went to, and the team he was most interested in/negotiated with. In your first season, you follow a monotonous formula of playing very short high school and college games, followed by 20 mins of Spike Lee's brand of cliché, one-dimensional/stereotypical character driven cut scenes. While i appreciate the developers to give the Myplayer experience a bit of an arc in terms of the character, it was poorly executed. I hate to say this, but Michael Bay could have done a better job and building a more believe character arc. The story didn't do itself any favours by making your family black, which I thought was really out of place for my Indian looking character to be involved with.

    Next the online play, oh god the online play. Year after year after year, the same issues are still prevalent and its prevalent as ever in this iteration of NBA 2K16. The online play suffers from major input lag, sometimes not even inputting a command, such as passing, shooting or rebounding. The result of this? your defence suffers greatly. It is truly disgusting how NBA 2K seems to get away with treating their fans in this manner. The money, they could've saved on not hiring spike lee, could at least contribute to improving these areas. Also, some modes were not readily available online, as well as the NBA 2K store not accessing items for the MyPlayer mode.    … Expand
  8. justdoit
    Sep 27, 2015
    5
    2015 will be remembered as the year that the NBA2K franchise turned into a soap opera
    Rest in pepperoni, NBA 2K
    Even Live isn't this dramatic. That's saying something
  9. DaMJops
    Sep 26, 2015
    3
    Way too many bugs. 2k servers are bad. Unbelievably nerfed player in the beginning - can't even do a decent mid range shot if timing is not perfect. Automatically reassigns a player to guard when you double team, then deducts coaching satisfaction for your initiative. Too sensitive with doing pick plays - although I have to admit I used to spam "set screen" to get higher coachWay too many bugs. 2k servers are bad. Unbelievably nerfed player in the beginning - can't even do a decent mid range shot if timing is not perfect. Automatically reassigns a player to guard when you double team, then deducts coaching satisfaction for your initiative. Too sensitive with doing pick plays - although I have to admit I used to spam "set screen" to get higher coach satisfaction, but right now illegal screening is called even if there isn't a problem. Cliche Spike Lee story line. Forces you to suck as a rookie - can't grind to become a better player quickly, which removes the real fun in an nba 2k franchise wherein you can do awesome layups and dunks soon. I mean, it's okay to suck at first, but forcing you to suck at first is really awful - unless you purchase points online.

    Another "pay to upgrade" game. I'm a big fan of the nba 2k franchise, but this game just blows it.    … Expand
  10. al16
    Sep 26, 2015
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of the most anticipated video games to release every year NBA 2K15 is back now trying someting new with the games features, sound track and game modes. The long awaited arguably most played and talked about game mode My Career/My player has showed us different snippets and cut scenes of the famous game mode but this year was different now directed by Spike Lee A film director famous for a variety of movies, Spike takes My player to another step where it is more realistic and we actually feel we are playing a story or our own story. This mode starts out with as usual the creation of your player you can 2K scan your face on to your player which gives you pretty decent results on your actual face then on to your position, height, wing-span and etc. We Start out with three High School games where we were able to choose which high school we wanted in the creation.With Cut Scenes introducing the story of a player they call "FREQ" we will be playing. "FREQ" is given in the story a black sister and light skin best friend with two black parents UNCHANGEABLE with 2K being a worldwide game i am sure not everyone is gonna be a black player nevertheless even a american player which is completely unrealistic on Spike Lee's Part. Throughout the mode there a overwhelming supply of cheesy and some realistic cut scenes.filled. By the time you get to college you are given another 3 years to stay Unchangeable and multiple cut scenes about your best friend "VIC" and going pro. Furthermore you get drafted and depending on what positon you play you will be a 50-60 rating.As the mode goes on you are given more cut scenes cheesy and some typical and real. Throughout the mode it is very heavily more about the story then basketball where a variety of people did not enjoy all in all out of 10 this my player was a 9 in my opinion because of the different features included in the mode amazing cheesy story and its just one the best ones of the series.
    We then move on to the Association my favorite mode which is heavily improved and has taken a jump over the many different other associations you are given the option to move your teams from city's or states, really interact with your players and WAY MORE COMPETITIVE CPU. There are many more aspects of this mode but i must move on.
    Next the return of my team is back which is a real life card playing games this mode has drastically also improved with the new feature to the cards to be
    1) Bronze
    2) Silver
    3) Gold
    4) Amethyst
    5) Diamond
    this mode features a fantasy type of way of playing as the ratings are going up and down throughout the season from real life. This mode also has a new feature in it called "The Gauntlent" where you choose from your collection and play a 3 on 3 game.
    We will slide by My park real quick because the mode has not changed much but a couple of new fixed glitches.
    Next up we then have Pro-Am where we can create are own arena jerseys and are able to play a 5 on 5 vs (most advised) online players cpu players will not be that good and you should prefer to play with friends or other online players this mode has not worked yet since purchasing the game but should be fixed soon. This mode will be very interesting to see which game between Live and 2K which Pro-Am is better.
    Next up we have My League which is just a online association so i will just breeze by this too.
    The game play and graphics has not improved much from 2k15 but the quick game feature has changed with a mode like road to the playoffs offered and you are given a ranking where you play to level up and etc.
    The ratings system has changed as it players are rated on how they match up to the greatest players of all time. We are also blessed to be given the TNT Crew of EJ Shaq and Kenny and sometimes Greg Anthony we are given a entertaining commentary before the game between halftime and at the end.
    All In All NBA 2K15 IS AN INCREDIBLE GAME Even with the flaws of my player and certain glitches i have seen and to come this game has improved drastically and i have rated it a 9.    … Expand
  11. pinball123
    Sep 26, 2015
    1
    Why oh why did 2k think it was a good idea to have Spike Lee of all people direct the mycareer mode? The guys got far too big of an ego and is a hack. The story has bad acting and is stupidly predictable.

    ALL the choice is gone from the mode. You want to make yourself in the game? Too bad your a black dude from the hood! You made a white character? Too bad you have a black family and a    Why oh why did 2k think it was a good idea to have Spike Lee of all people direct the mycareer mode? The guys got far too big of an ego and is a hack. The story has bad acting and is stupidly predictable.

    ALL the choice is gone from the mode. You want to make yourself in the game? Too bad your a black dude from the hood! You made a white character? Too bad you have a black family and a black BIOLOGICAL twin!

    There's now 15 minute cut scenes about your team owners best friend and despite the entire cast being obnoxiously douchey and your main character making stupid decisions the whole time you have zero input in any of it. If I wanted to watch a bad movie I would have just rented a spike lee dvd! Luckily in your second season it goes more normal but you still get interviews about the story and still have a stupid nickname and your character has stupid reactions on court. I want to run back on defence after a dunk not sit there pretending I'm a DJ while the other team runs a fast break.

    You also only get to play 8 games in your rookie year and can't check the standings, stats or anything you would expect to check in a game about playing basketball.

    They've also removed some of the old control schemes so we are now forced to use the new one that feels like garbage, the game often locks up on a player standing on the court and randomly pointing for a few minutes and there's more unskippable broadcast stuff that bogs the games down too.

    The other modes might be better but I usually only play the mycareer mode, why couldn't they have had the spike lee mode separate from the regular mycareer? How did 2k think this was a good idea?    … Expand
  12. dnlangl
    Sep 26, 2015
    10
    NBA 2k16 has really improved. Graphics still is exceptional. Gameplay even became better, now that it's more realistic. Defense is more emphasized. Any game is unpredictable, unlike in NBA 2k15, wherein you expect the Splash Bros to combine 15-20 three pointers a game. Haha. 2k16 has been a huge upgrade. The soundtrack is even better, and mycareer left me speechless..
  13. smoovelai
    Sep 26, 2015
    10
    its funny how some people are complaining that the family has to be black in mycareer when there are literally thousands of great games that do the same thing, most rpg's that let you customize and build your character don't change the family to match your creation, one great example is dragon age origins and that being said i do not believe one person ever called it racist....its notits funny how some people are complaining that the family has to be black in mycareer when there are literally thousands of great games that do the same thing, most rpg's that let you customize and build your character don't change the family to match your creation, one great example is dragon age origins and that being said i do not believe one person ever called it racist....its not racist its just the choice they made when you watch a movie you don't complain that its racist that the character adn family are whatever race they are....

    that being said i was surprised at the lack of choice during the spike lee part of the campaign i was expecting less of a movie and more choice and also to play more games in the NBA and affect my stats more.....

    but its still not enough to turn me off because one that section of the game is short in comparison to what you will be playing mostly later.....and thats when the game really starts you get to pick how and when you practice or scrimmage you pick your endorsements and off day activities

    mygm is similar but they revamped and built upon the great mode it was last year and seemed to have make it less repetitive and more rewarding and fun

    the gameplay is amazing....there is a learning curve especially due to the fact that there is no real tutorial but the new passing and post up features are sick as well as the improved defense

    love this game ....and for the review people who are complaining about the servers its way too early to tell if their reliable or not 2k admitted they were not turning them on fully until the game releases so people dont get too far ahead and spoil every single thing    … Expand
  14. Mattyice
    Sep 25, 2015
    7
    NBA 2k16 is a solid offline basketball game. It plays smooth and gameplay is easy and intuitive. A few new additions to mycareer and myGM are solid as well. However, there are issues that hurt this game in other ways. The servers are completely unbearable and loading times are long, hindering the online experience because the online modes are great, but they never work. Also, the Spike LeeNBA 2k16 is a solid offline basketball game. It plays smooth and gameplay is easy and intuitive. A few new additions to mycareer and myGM are solid as well. However, there are issues that hurt this game in other ways. The servers are completely unbearable and loading times are long, hindering the online experience because the online modes are great, but they never work. Also, the Spike Lee directed story is cheesy and scripted, even though the addition of a college team is cool. It feels like you know what's going to happen next. Overall, it's a fantastic offline game and a few new additions try to freshen things up, but its online struggles and weak mycareer make 2k16 a game not worth purchasing if you already have 2k15.… Expand
  15. SwayzeActual
    Sep 25, 2015
    5
    I play a few hundred hours of 2K every year, so I am always very excited by a new release. The gameplay is improved from last year. The UI is great and it's easier than ever to get right into the action.

    However, I primarily play MyPlayer, and this year's version is very troubling. I was very excited going in about Spike Lee's presence. I thought it would bring more depth to my yearly    I play a few hundred hours of 2K every year, so I am always very excited by a new release. The gameplay is improved from last year. The UI is great and it's easier than ever to get right into the action.

    However, I primarily play MyPlayer, and this year's version is very troubling. I was very excited going in about Spike Lee's presence. I thought it would bring more depth to my yearly wish fulfilment of getting to play basketball in the NBA. You see, I played into High School and had to stop because my knees just weren't made for the sport. That's why MyPlayer has always been so immersive to me, I get to role play that my basketball career didn't end in high school. Before this year, the game was very good about letting you fill in the blanks of your own character's story, showing you some behind the scenes BS that was amusing but not very worthwhile. Yet the crux of my characters "story" was always supplied by me, and that was perfect. I always rolled what the game supplied in the cut scenes into the continuity of my own story. That is not possible this year.

    Spike Lee has made the game less inclusive. It feels as if he's sending the message to anyone that isn't an African American from the projects, that basketball is not for them. Playing through the career has been strange to say the least. The game lets you mold and put yourself in the game. But then it chooses the nickname "Frequency Vibrations" for you, and there's a signature on court dance you cannot stop your character from doing, despite both those things going against the type player I want to be.

    You have an African American family and twin sister that the game continually reminds you of, and the in game commentators constantly bring up you coming from the projects in Brooklyn. This constantly breaks immersion if you have a character with differently pigmented skin. And none of this even mentions the casual demonization of all the white men working in the sports business or the simplistic and stereotypical representations of young African Americans that is uncomfortable.

    The high school and college games leading into the draft are brilliant, and the new gameplay is great as usual. I'm just severely disappointed that 2K and Spike Lee have made MyPlayer mode into something that doesn’t make me feel welcome. However, if you don't play MyPlayer mode, or you don't put yourself in the game every year as I do. You may have no problem with this.

    I will still play the game and I'm sure I will enjoy my time in MyGM mode, even though it isn't the mode I'd prefer to be playing. Collapse    … Expand
  16. skirwen
    Sep 25, 2015
    10
    I am having a ton of fun with the game so far. Every year they seem to do a great job with the graphics and it plays great as always. I haven't tried mystory yet, so I can't review that but everything else has been great.
  17. greedoinaspeedo
    Sep 25, 2015
    6
    Long time, year in year out, 2K player. All of the updates to the gameplay and AI are stellar as usual. The attention to detail and progression of the game mechanics is stellar. I have always played MyPlayer and MyGM.

    MyPlayer this year forces you to be a player named Frequency Vibrations from the projects in Brooklyn, and have an African American family with a twin sister. And it's    Long time, year in year out, 2K player. All of the updates to the gameplay and AI are stellar as usual. The attention to detail and progression of the game mechanics is stellar. I have always played MyPlayer and MyGM.

    MyPlayer this year forces you to be a player named Frequency Vibrations from the projects in Brooklyn, and have an African American family with a twin sister. And it's called "Livin' Da Dream". Not joking. I'm trying to figure out how to reconcile these things as I hear the story and look at the Spaniard I have created to resemble myself. I can't decide if it's a reverse blindside or if my character is just having Rachel Dolezal type delusions. Spike Lee has made myplayer mode feel like it's choosing to exclude me, and make me feel that by participating I am appropriating a culture that is not mine. These are not things that are currently enhancing my experience.    … Expand
  18. damman
    Sep 25, 2015
    10
    This is a great game as you know they are a lot of trolls that give this game a thumbs down you need get a life. I love this game and for people like MichiganGamer24 I say have fun with your boring and bad NBA live 16. This game will outsell that piece of trash game Live 16. Well back to this game it's a must own game. 2k wins again with great game-play and online game play I love thisThis is a great game as you know they are a lot of trolls that give this game a thumbs down you need get a life. I love this game and for people like MichiganGamer24 I say have fun with your boring and bad NBA live 16. This game will outsell that piece of trash game Live 16. Well back to this game it's a must own game. 2k wins again with great game-play and online game play I love this game it's going to be another great year for NBA 2k16. For the people who come on this site and troll this game and give it a 1 you need to get some puzzy and get a life because you suck in life! And you will always be a loser. If you think this game is racist you must be an idiot. How does this game keep you from getting a job based on your skin color or control your fate in society. That's racist get you facts right you think Spike Lee and 2k are racist? You're a loser. The fact is this game is deep and fun you can play this game forever with franchise mode, myplayer(which is really fun) online rankings and most of all you can learn the fundamentals of basketball and the history of the sport. I give it 10/10 and Game of the Year. I played NBA live 16 it's trash pure trash like last years demo. NBA live I would give 4/10 just pure trash of a game. EA pleas stop making trashy games like NBA Live 16. It's not even worth 59.99 it will be in the bargain bin in one week for 5.99… Expand
  19. kgst
    Sep 25, 2015
    10
    Easily the best nba2k game yet, and best NBA game out there. And the story mode is great. This one is a no brainer, definitely worth a purchase.

    Also I'd you
  20. MichiganGamer24
    Sep 25, 2015
    0
    Its totally racist for spike lee to assume that all basketball players have to be one race. the my career mode is complete trash because 2k allowed spike lee to be involved. Im not form NY and Im not from the hood sow what exactly was the point of this. Just that aspect has caused me to drop 2k 16 and pick up live 16. If your going ot make a story mode like that then it should be ableIts totally racist for spike lee to assume that all basketball players have to be one race. the my career mode is complete trash because 2k allowed spike lee to be involved. Im not form NY and Im not from the hood sow what exactly was the point of this. Just that aspect has caused me to drop 2k 16 and pick up live 16. If your going ot make a story mode like that then it should be able to pick up your choices as in race and where your from an dont just use 1 race for the career mode. Terrible idea 2K… Expand
  21. porhawj
    Sep 25, 2015
    10
    gameplay is best.. graphic is very good.. players emotion and celebrations are amazing.. player movement is so realistic.. Commentary is very good.. My GM is amazing.. ai cpu is very smarter on all pro or higher difficulty.. Big Kudo to 2ksports for did amazing job on NBA 2k16
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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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