NBA 2K19

 PlayStation 4
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
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  1. Zerblackstar
    Sep 14, 2018
    0
    2K are trying to create a basketball themed online theme park/casino rather than a basketball game. They want you to spend hours and hours in the game in the hopes that you'll eventually buy in game currency. That is the sole purpose of this "game". Underneath the money grabbing there is a great basketball sim, it's such a shame that 2K care more about microtransaction revenue than player2K are trying to create a basketball themed online theme park/casino rather than a basketball game. They want you to spend hours and hours in the game in the hopes that you'll eventually buy in game currency. That is the sole purpose of this "game". Underneath the money grabbing there is a great basketball sim, it's such a shame that 2K care more about microtransaction revenue than player experience and rewarding players with loyalty to the series. They should make this game a fully fledged subscription MMO however then they couldn't charge full AAA game price every year for the same game with a few small changes. This is essentially what's happening, you are paying a yearly subscription to play a pay-to-win microtransaction fest.

    Instead of spending countless hours a week running around the empty park hoping to play a game, or constantly getting nowhere trying to jump into a rec centre game, just play something else, go read a book, use the money you'll save to go do something worthwhile rather than pay into the bonus fund for some douche bag executive who ruined your favourite basketball game.    … Expand
  2. mdonohue
    Sep 14, 2018
    0
    how much money did these reviewers get paid? please do not spend $60 on this terrible cash grab of a game. the predatory microtransanctions are absolutely criminal. I hope something is done about this, it is getting out of hand.
  3. Dee_Cartier
    Sep 16, 2018
    0
    Another crash grab. As long as fools keep handing over money to these criminals they will continue doing this. I'm not buying this game or will ever again buy any game from these crooks
  4. Phury
    Sep 14, 2018
    0
    This is going out of the control.
    Greed takes over like nobody cares.
    It is very frustrating that the money is more important than to satisfy the consumers so they actually can enjoy the game and recommend for others like back in the day when there was no pay to win rubbish in the games like this. Everyone who gives a high score here please tell me this: Why is it fun to play approx.    This is going out of the control.
    Greed takes over like nobody cares.
    It is very frustrating that the money is more important than to satisfy the consumers so they actually can enjoy the game and recommend for others like back in the day when there was no pay to win rubbish in the games like this.

    Everyone who gives a high score here please tell me this: Why is it fun to play approx. 20 hrs and have an 80 overall player heading to Mypark and hoping to have a balanced/not one sided game with others who has 90+ overall and with only playing 5 hours because they levelled up with real money?

    It has been for years now.

    I am talking from experience, I have 100+ hour in mypark in 2k15, 2k16, 2k17 struggling to win because of I could not afford extra money to pay to unlock extra attribute points to increase my overall stats.

    Shame on the publisher who just want money instead to create the best ever basketball sport simulation in history.

    I recommend NBA LIVE 19. It is not bad at all. A different experience for sure but it has no pay to win. If you see a 90+ overall player online, well you can tell that player has worked all the way up to earn the skills and ratings which is fair and inspirational.

    Here is how 2k shall sell coffee for their employees at their headquarters:

    Basic espresso straight from the machine right into the mouth – 100 VC
    Basic espresso served in a paper cup – 140 VC
    Double espresso in a paper cup and a lid – 250 VC
    Coffee latte + paper cup + lid – 300 VC
    Plus sugar – 60 VC each sachet
    Plus sweetener – 80 VC
    Plus/minus temperate of the beverages – 20 VC/10 degrees
    Extra milk (cold) – 80 VC / 10ml
    Extra milk (hot) – 90 VC / 10ml
    Chocolate powder on top – FREE if you buy NBA2K 19 Anniversary Edition    … Expand
  5. JaredMusic
    Sep 16, 2018
    0
    They need to to remove those microtransactions that are affecting the gameplay or make it a free to play game. This game is unplayable without mnicrotransactions.
  6. tzinc
    Nov 11, 2018
    0
    Seems like game journalists have lost touch with reality. Not only is this game buggy it is a complete predatory rip off. Shame on 2k and the so called game journalists.
  7. VallejoMach
    Sep 12, 2018
    0
    MTX infested dross. Don't buy this horrific scam of a game. Reasonable gameplay crippled once more with unnecessary and overly long tedious grind (Unless you want to take 2k's benevolently offered opportunity to 'choose' to pay your way through the game faster...so kind of them)

    Avoid like the plague. It's worse than you could ever possibly imagine.
  8. MatamesiQuieres
    Sep 13, 2018
    0
    Another microtransaction simulator, don't buy it, don't help this scumbags get away this time.
  9. Chaaning95
    Sep 20, 2018
    0
    microtransactions microtransactions microtransactions microtransactions microtransactions microtransactions microtransactions microtransactions microtransactions microtransactions microtransactions oh yeah... microtransactions...
  10. Giantteeth6666
    Sep 19, 2018
    0
    Yet another disgraceful annual product generated by greed instead of passion and creativity.
  11. D3NGZ
    Sep 11, 2018
    0
    awful movement. Shot meter taking all the skill out of the game. micro transactions up the ass. yeah 0 and a refund from me.

    you literally pay 60$ for a Roster update, the game looks the same for the past few years.
  12. YakuzaOyabun
    Sep 13, 2018
    0
    Yet another money grab.Im going live this year.This game should be free to play with the amount of microtransactions.NO THX.NEVER AGAIN.
  13. SplitMind
    Sep 25, 2018
    0
    Take note, developers, and take OUT THESE DAMN MICROTRANSACTIONS! You've ruined what could be some very good games! Disgusting practices by these companies, practices that should be illegal and hopefully soon will be!
  14. kevinmclendenen
    Sep 9, 2018
    0
    Been a huge fan of NBA 2K since 2006, so let's get that out of the way. For you real OGs that play NBA 2k without a shot meter, let me break it down for you.
    1. The MyPlayer is dreadful. I have no idea why they are so determined to waste time with the terrible cut scenes. Even with the skipping mechanism, there are constant delays and the interface has been in decline for years.
    2.    Been a huge fan of NBA 2K since 2006, so let's get that out of the way. For you real OGs that play NBA 2k without a shot meter, let me break it down for you.
    1. The MyPlayer is dreadful. I have no idea why they are so determined to waste time with the terrible cut scenes. Even with the skipping mechanism, there are constant delays and the interface has been in decline for years.
    2. Microtransactions. You thought EA was bad? For this reason alone, do not purchase this game. Do not allow these developers to destroy the industry with pay to play BS, after you have already dropped $65 on a game. Do yourself and gamers everywhere a huge favor and wait for this game to go on a major sale. Do not give 2k your money until they wise up. Log in and drop a negative review until they start giving hoopers the experience they deserve. They are literally pleading with their fans to support microtransactions in the German version of 2k, because the German government has assessed the extra "lootboxes" to be complete BS, which they are!    … Expand
  15. frikkinfai
    Sep 25, 2018
    0
    Microtransactions have ruined this franchise. The grind in both MyCareer and MyTeam feels like a chore. Both modes are essentially pay to win, which is total BS for a $60 game!

    It's just no longer fun and as a huge basketball fan, it really pains me to say that...
  16. Streety
    Sep 8, 2018
    0
    Buggy mess full of microtransactions. Every year people blindly pre-order this game and every year they shaft us...
  17. 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 and all possible fun this game might've had at inception.
  18. FabNasty
    Oct 2, 2018
    0
    This developer deserves no support from gamers because they do not care about the people who actually have loyalty to the franchise and go out and buy the game for full price. Those people are "rewarded" with free2play mechanics. This dev has no respect for gamers they just want to get as much money out of you as possible and they use every trick in the book to do so.

    It really doesn't    This developer deserves no support from gamers because they do not care about the people who actually have loyalty to the franchise and go out and buy the game for full price. Those people are "rewarded" with free2play mechanics. This dev has no respect for gamers they just want to get as much money out of you as possible and they use every trick in the book to do so.

    It really doesn't matter that the gameplay is improved this year if the most popular game modes are compromised by arguably predatory microtransactions.    … Expand
  19. THEAND1MAN
    Sep 8, 2018
    0
    Is it wrong for me, to think that Live is better this year? I was expecting more. A shot meter for LAYUPS? ARE you serious? Layups are supposed to be easy. It takes FOREVER to level up your player in 2K. In Live, you can level up in no time. There is no grind in Live just FUN and Free clothes, gear and accessories daily. $100 Anniversary Edition, lucky me BUT Live is Better.
  20. LuigiBergolo
    Sep 10, 2018
    0
    Probably the worst 2K game to date. Been playing for a few hours now, and not a single aspect of the game excites me, It is like they took a fairly 2K18 and just made it worse
  21. JackieChangCZH
    Sep 12, 2018
    0
    Been a huge fan of NBA 2K since 2k11 , with quick play mode is getting better every year . However , the increasing amount of microtransactions has made the MC mode which is the mode i play most an unenjoyable grind progress , i really hate the gym system while u waste a lot of your time playing stupid mini-games , what is more worse is that u need the time to play more boring games ifBeen a huge fan of NBA 2K since 2k11 , with quick play mode is getting better every year . However , the increasing amount of microtransactions has made the MC mode which is the mode i play most an unenjoyable grind progress , i really hate the gym system while u waste a lot of your time playing stupid mini-games , what is more worse is that u need the time to play more boring games if you dont want spend extra money, u have to tolerate the fact u may need to finish 3 games to get one skill point up . Actually , money can not solve your problems too. Using money will cut your feeling of your character is growing and if u stop investing , then u will feel so hard to grow . I‘d like to make 2K
    pay for it's greed this time.    … Expand
  22. TheFirm34
    Sep 11, 2018
    0
    If you buy this game, you cannot really play it unless you spend at least an additional $100 more on micro-transactions. You can play it, but you will not have a fun time doing it, unless you pay-to-win. Also the developer has urged Belgian players to "fight" their government to allow micro-transactions to be activated. Ain't that just insane? This SHOULD be the death of NBA2K, the greedIf you buy this game, you cannot really play it unless you spend at least an additional $100 more on micro-transactions. You can play it, but you will not have a fun time doing it, unless you pay-to-win. Also the developer has urged Belgian players to "fight" their government to allow micro-transactions to be activated. Ain't that just insane? This SHOULD be the death of NBA2K, the greed is just too strong with this one.… Expand
  23. piwrecks
    Sep 13, 2018
    0
    every year theres bugs, every year they are hungrier for microtransactions and pay to win players.i only bought it because it was suppose to change all the BS problems that have piled up over the years, a big one being the ridiculous grind that attempts to coerce players into microtransactions to save weeks of your life. The reddit community believed this was addressed so i bought theevery year theres bugs, every year they are hungrier for microtransactions and pay to win players.i only bought it because it was suppose to change all the BS problems that have piled up over the years, a big one being the ridiculous grind that attempts to coerce players into microtransactions to save weeks of your life. The reddit community believed this was addressed so i bought the game, then within 48 hours of buying it they patched the game to make it more of a grind like it was before. now i want my money back.… Expand
  24. KennyBania
    Sep 13, 2018
    0
    - VC everywhere
    - An actual gambling system where you can lose it ALL
    - “Buy VC” right under the quit button - Need VC to do those dances in the trailer - Need VC to use a skateboard or bike from the trailer - $200 of VC gets your player to level 80 only - Stuttering in 4K on Xbox One X - Horrible stadium lighting - Players warp and ice skate on the court - The biggest name in the    - VC everywhere
    - An actual gambling system where you can lose it ALL
    - “Buy VC” right under the quit button
    - Need VC to do those dances in the trailer
    - Need VC to use a skateboard or bike from the trailer
    - $200 of VC gets your player to level 80 only
    - Stuttering in 4K on Xbox One X
    - Horrible stadium lighting
    - Players warp and ice skate on the court
    - The biggest name in the world - Lebron - and they get his skin tone wrong (way too dark)
    - The biggest rookie name - Doncic - and they have his height wrong
    - After release they made a patch to reduce and nerf XP
    - 2K are evil scum    … Expand
  25. ItsBootySon
    Sep 22, 2018
    0
    I was excited to play after noticing they allows the true inside game ALA Wilt, Kareem with the hook shots and post moves. Promptly a week after releasing the game they nerf the entire thing. Now the 100$ preorder + 100$ VC pack I bought is basically worthless.

    Don't do it. I for one am reconsidering ever thinking about 2k ever again, and this statement is coming from me who played 2k14    I was excited to play after noticing they allows the true inside game ALA Wilt, Kareem with the hook shots and post moves. Promptly a week after releasing the game they nerf the entire thing. Now the 100$ preorder + 100$ VC pack I bought is basically worthless.

    Don't do it. I for one am reconsidering ever thinking about 2k ever again, and this statement is coming from me who played 2k14 for the past 4 years. This game changes everything on a whim but expects you to invest major time and money in builds that might be garbage in a week (they also want you to play one character a whole year, really?)    … Expand
  26. heyokaybye
    Oct 7, 2018
    0
    This year I got the 20th Year Anniversary edition for the 1st time when it 1st release I liked it and it was enjoyable until 9/11 when stupid Ronnie & 2K decreased the mycarrier points to make it look like the game is good I didn't notice until 9/15 and when I found out I was enraged and wrote a very angry tweet @ 2k on twitter and the fact that my team is still trash with shorter packThis year I got the 20th Year Anniversary edition for the 1st time when it 1st release I liked it and it was enjoyable until 9/11 when stupid Ronnie & 2K decreased the mycarrier points to make it look like the game is good I didn't notice until 9/15 and when I found out I was enraged and wrote a very angry tweet @ 2k on twitter and the fact that my team is still trash with shorter pack odds than EA so I am done with this trash game. My message to 2k and all those greed companies is to reformulate your games to not use mircotractions so much or face a boycott.… Expand
  27. b24inc
    Jan 12, 2019
    0
    Hands down the worst basketball game unless you're a child who likes shooting ridiculous 3 pointers and making every one of them even if great defense is played on you. If that profile fits you then its the game you've been looking for. If you're a mature basketball gamer who likes realism in your sports game then this is THE ABSOLUTE WORST NBA GAME EVER CREATED!!!
  28. GEARBOY
    Oct 16, 2018
    0
    Not sure why any of you idiots keep buying the same sports game(s) year on year when there is ZERO new content included in the newest edition.

    The only thing worse than this game is the customer service.
  29. hienls
    Nov 18, 2018
    0
    Cut scenes are just dumb. They slow the game down to a crawl and really make no sense. My character went to the NBA after averaging 1.2 points in China and 2.0 in the G league. I am pretty sure, if my player were a real person, I could actually take him one-on-one.
    Then its too grindy. I love the idea that my player will improve over time, like in MLB the Show. But the difference is    Cut scenes are just dumb. They slow the game down to a crawl and really make no sense. My character went to the NBA after averaging 1.2 points in China and 2.0 in the G league. I am pretty sure, if my player were a real person, I could actually take him one-on-one.
    Then its too grindy. I love the idea that my player will improve over time, like in MLB the Show. But the difference is that in MLB your character actually improves. IN 2K19 if you even 99's miss half of their free throws and easy shots.

    This game is trash. Its too hard, too grindy, not worth micro transaction. The devs found a way for the third year in a row to take an awesome game and screw it up. Here is my advise for the DEVS.... Allow the player to adjust the difficulty setting (foul setting, shot, speed, AI) etc.... If you have to keep your insane and needless microtransactions then reduce the amount depending on the level. I would accept earning no VC in exchange for letting my guy actually make more than 1 point and 2 assists per game.    … Expand
  30. Crosaith
    Nov 20, 2018
    0
    2k19 is buggy and greedy af with all their micros. Prelude made it seem like it'd have a solid story, but it was a trick, there's only a story during the short prelude. Playing My Career with no story is lame. 2k17 had a much better My Career mode.
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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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Oct 28, 2018
    80
    NBA 2K19 is fantastic at all the times when it isn’t asking you to part with real cash. Although sadly, in MyCareer, you’ll be tempted to open your wallet way too often. [Issue#155, p.95]
  2. Worth Playing
    Oct 12, 2018
    85
    NBA 2K19 is still the go-to basketball simulation game out there. Its polish and refinement have only improved since last year, and it's difficult to imagine any improvements for next year. The MyCareer story has definitely improved, and so have the cut scene management and character customization. MyTeam feels like a revolving mode of new updates and content, but players who don't purchase VC may be getting the short end of the stick, since 10 pack boxes are exclusive to VC only. The game is amazing in all regards, but the constant reminder and pressure to purchase VC is wearing thin.
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  3. XGN
    Oct 9, 2018
    90
    NBA 2K19 is everything that you expect from a basketball game. With the new edition 2K Games and Visual Concepts are closer to the real thing than ever.
    Read full review
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