NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 Image
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69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
5.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 32 Ratings

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  • Summary: NBA arcade action is back with NBA 2K Playgrounds 2. The sequel to the original smash hit takes street balling to the next level with a massive roster of current and retired NBA players, improved online matchmaking with dedicated servers, four-player online matches, three-point contests, newNBA arcade action is back with NBA 2K Playgrounds 2. The sequel to the original smash hit takes street balling to the next level with a massive roster of current and retired NBA players, improved online matchmaking with dedicated servers, four-player online matches, three-point contests, new playgrounds, custom matches, and more. Pick your team, get ready to jam, and Ball Without Limits. Expand
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NBA Playgrounds 2 - Debut Trailer
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 6
  2. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Oct 24, 2018
    80
    While the introduction of microtransactions is hardly surprising considering the history of its new publisher, they don’t hit NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 as hard as might expect. It will take you a while to grind out every player (unless you just buy them all from the off), but it helps that the core arcade gameplay remains as fun and enjoyable as ever. It doesn’t quite capture the blissful mayhem of NBA Jam, but if the main NBA 2K series has always felt a little too realistic for you, this larger-than-life spin-off offers a bright and empowering way to defy gravity like Air Jordan himself.
  2. 75
    If you liked NBA Playgrounds then this game will surely be a solid improvement you enjoy. If the first game was too buggy, or there were too many issues, then Playgrounds 2 fixes many problems. There are still reasons to be cautious with things like roster unlocks and limitations in the game modes, but it is overall a solid package.
  3. Oct 23, 2018
    70
    NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 improves on a quite a few aspects of the original game like game modes and gameplay mechanics. But its microtransaction model leaves a sour taste in the player's mouth. Unlocking great players takes a very long time and the game wants to get you to buy in-game credits. But if you're patient, or spending more money isn't a problem for you, you can have a lot of fun with NBA 2K Playgrounds 2.
  4. Nov 26, 2018
    70
    NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is a reasonably fun revisitation of the first game, carrying over the strong improvements its predecessor gained from patches, including a better shooting system. However, there’s not much in the way of deeply engaging content to keep you playing more than a couple of pickup games with your friends.
  5. Nov 9, 2018
    60
    The game is not up to its predecessor. It's still a great arcade title for NBA fans, and there is a clear graphic improvement but there are bad gameplay design decisions, such as forcing you to play for hours with each player until you get their attributes.
  6. Nov 26, 2018
    50
    Overall, Playgrounds 2 is lacklustre and feels too much like a mobile game franchise. It takes advantage of its audience and never offers enough satisfaction in return for the money, or the grind sessions. Ultimately, NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is a bad game, and certainly no spiritual successor. Stick with NBA 2K19 or NBA Jam itself.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 17
  2. Negative: 10 out of 17
  1. Oct 16, 2018
    10
    Amazing game, all of the content could be unlock without need of payment and in a short time.
    The championship mode is very addictive.
  2. Aug 2, 2020
    9
    I am addicted! I’ve been playing this game non stop on the Switch. It has flaws but there’s nothing quite like setting a big head MichaelI am addicted! I’ve been playing this game non stop on the Switch. It has flaws but there’s nothing quite like setting a big head Michael Jordan flipping through the air for a dunk, complete with fire animation. It’s the NBA JAM on the Switch!

    Gameplay is very fun, and deep enough to me wanna practice and perfect my timing for steals, blocks, and rebounds. It’s still the best sport game I’ve played on Switch. Gacha is quite annoying at first but after you started to unlock some players, it actually becomes a great reward system. I have not spent any money and just continuously grind the season mode through increasing difficulty level to “git gut”. Now I am at a stage where every pack gives me all dupes so I just have to unlock individual players. Performance can be quite bad at times. Online is not an amazing experience. Due to lack of players, it can take a long time to find a match. I’ve had match with the same guy 3x. Does it mean that there’s only the 2 of us playing this game in the entire world? Sometimes also it lags quite bad during online play and people just kinda stand around doing nothing. I’ve also experienced getting ball stolen from me during a lag, which is very annoying. Even during normal gameplay, I’ve noticed that sometimes i experience input lag. This can really break the game as it heavily rely on perfect timing to steal, shoot, and block. On 3pt competition, you can see the meter sometimes stutter, which can throw your aim. Note that I play mainly docked, using either the joycons or Nyko wireless core controller. But despite these problems, I still give it a 9 because it gives me the best fun I’ve had since Splatoon 2 and Pokémon Sword. Like I said, I’m completely addicted to this game and wished there are more people playing this game. It’s an amazing game!

    I hope that Saber makes Playground 3!!!
    Expand
  3. Mar 23, 2019
    8
    It's not quite NBA Jam, but NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is still a solid arcade-style two-on-two basketball title. There are plenty of options onIt's not quite NBA Jam, but NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is still a solid arcade-style two-on-two basketball title. There are plenty of options on hand and an almost RPG-like leveling up mechanic for all players. You'll have to spend some time playing through season mode or a lot of online play to unlock the entire roster, but since this is a 2K-published game, you can pay extra to do so instantly. (I recommend grinding it out, unless you intend to play online only.) Expand
  4. Sep 24, 2022
    4
    I did not enjoy the gameplay enough to bother about micro-transactions or unlocking players. Gave it a 4/10 just because the title has ”NBA”I did not enjoy the gameplay enough to bother about micro-transactions or unlocking players. Gave it a 4/10 just because the title has ”NBA” on it. Expand
  5. Nov 12, 2018
    3
    I agree with the other negative reviews. This is a microtransaction cash grab. I was hoping for a NBA Jams clone and got a Star WarsI agree with the other negative reviews. This is a microtransaction cash grab. I was hoping for a NBA Jams clone and got a Star Wars Battlefront pyramid scheme. The game comes with less than 10 players from maybe 5 teams. You have to pay to unlock the entire roster or spend countless hours grinding to get points to then buy random packs that unlock players. I seriously would not have bought this game if I'd known that right off the bat. $30 for the game $10 more to actually own anything close to the full game with all the teams represented. AND that doesn't even include any exclusive players! I'd already bought the game so paid for the stupid unlock. Some good players but loads of dregs. And some gaping holes in the roster regarding historic players (Rodman, Duncan, Laimbeer, Barkley, Dr. J, Meta World Peace, etc). I'm assuming those will cost additional money in the future. The ability of these pros is atrocious. Pippen has 0% chance of making a 3pt shot. Really??? 0%??? You level up players which is cool but then again, you are going to level up all these people somehow??? Basically this game is horrible for the price but as close as you get to NBA Jams. Wait for it to go on major sale. Don't be a sucker and buy at full price like I did. Expand
  6. Dec 25, 2019
    0
    El juego no tiene nada que ver con el anterior, es un port muy malo que se ve muy borroso que duelen los ojos
  7. Oct 16, 2018
    0
    Total cash crab, in day's of MTX and Loot Boxes some publisher constantly try to see how far they can go in cashing on on their customers .Total cash crab, in day's of MTX and Loot Boxes some publisher constantly try to see how far they can go in cashing on on their customers . So this game basically is a 30$ game that is not playable unless you purchase in game stuff. Expand

See all 17 User Reviews