NBA 2K19

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 49 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 49
  3. Negative: 1 out of 49
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  1. Trusted Reviews
    Oct 2, 2018
    70
    If you’re new to the series or would just like to have a really good basketball game to dip in and out of over the year NBA 2K19 is a solid choice, but if 2K18 frustrated you with its microtransactions and you don’t want to grind or pay to be competitive with your own player then not much has changed from that base model.
  2. InsideGamer.nl
    Oct 1, 2018
    70
    Looking at the gameplay, NBA 2K19 is a very strong basketball simulator, filled with many modes and beautiful graphics. Unfortunately that is not all: there is not enough innovation and old faults are back too. A pity, cause essentially this is a good game.
  3. Stevivor
    Sep 21, 2018
    70
    The basketball gameplay in NBA 2K19 is brilliant, and it has been for the last decade that I’ve been reviewing this series. But the way VC is used in the game needs to be re-evaluated, as it has become ridiculous and is blatantly pay-to-win. This greedy freemium model within an already fully priced game needs to disappear.
  5. DualShockers
    Sep 19, 2018
    70
    What we’ve seen from NBA 2K the past two years with microtransactions is likely the new norm, and I’m going to have to accept that.
  6. PlayGround.ru
    Sep 19, 2018
    70
    The game is interesting to play, but you need to pay extra for this joy.
  7. Twinfinite
    Sep 17, 2018
    70
    If not for the blatant microtransactions and VC-driven progression system, NBA 2K19 would be the best basketball game on and off the court to date.
  8. Gamers Heroes
    Sep 14, 2018
    70
    NBA 2K19’s on-court disappointments are somewhat remedied by the hugely entertaining off-the-court shenanigans, but a steep learning curve may leave less experienced players a little overwhelmed.
  9. GameSpot
    Sep 12, 2018
    70
    Although those willing to grind for everything will eventually get rewarded, the system of VC still comes off as exploitative. But there's a lot of fun to be had in NBA 2K19 despite its flaws, especially if you have a strong love for the sport.
  10. TheSixthAxis
    Sep 26, 2018
    50
    While NBA 2K19 is competent it has also, for me at least, continued down the road of not feeling as fun or exciting as previous NBA 2K titles. This year, the feeling isn’t so much of outcry as it is fatigue at having seen the gradual changes take place over the last several years.
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In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Polygon
    Sep 17, 2018
    NBA 2K19 has one of the highest learning curves in recent memory, making it easier to determine who is good and who relies on exploits to win.

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best PS4 Game of 2018
27
#27 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2018
46
#46 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2018

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
2.8

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 462 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 86 out of 462
  2. Mixed: 50 out of 462
  3. Negative: 326 out of 462
  1. Ramondro01
    Sep 9, 2018
    1
    I’ve been playing NBA 2K since 2k3 and I always loved the game but I feel like 16 was the last good game they released, Im one of the playersI’ve been playing NBA 2K since 2k3 and I always loved the game but I feel like 16 was the last good game they released, Im one of the players that loves playing PlayNow Online with classic teams and this year instead of adding the players some teams missed they removed some that were already in the game, each team has basically a rotation of 6 or 7 players. The My Career mode is trash, why do I need to start playing inn China? WHy everything I want to do ask me to buy VC? This game really feel so like a copy of the last one, don’t buy it if you care about your money. No more 2K for me.… Full Review »
  2. Reza19
    Sep 8, 2018
    0
    Always grinding, they say they already scale back the VC, but by how much ?? 1% ?? I play my career it very frustating to get the VC, itAlways grinding, they say they already scale back the VC, but by how much ?? 1% ?? I play my career it very frustating to get the VC, it almost impossible to play using VC in game. The design us to make purchase the VC, what do you want me to do ? Buy $65 AAA game and spend another $50 just to get 85 overall, you nutt, don't buy this game… Full Review »
  3. truestofreviews
    Sep 8, 2018
    0
    An unnecessary and supidly-long grind fest, coupled with microtransactions the publishers are actually publicly defending (o,O?), ruin any andAn unnecessary and supidly-long grind fest, coupled with microtransactions the publishers are actually publicly defending (o,O?), ruin any and all possible fun this game might've had at inception.… Full Review »
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