NBA 2K Playgrounds 2

 Xbox One
Metascore
62

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
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  1. TrueAchievements
    Oct 16, 2018
    90
    With subtle touches to the on-court gameplay, better and more numerous game modes, and an addicting player upgrade loop, it's a tough game to put down.
  2. Generación Xbox
    Oct 18, 2018
    81
    NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is back better than ever and turns into the perfect companion for NBA 2K19. It will delight those looking for more arcade gameplay.
  3. SomosXbox
    Oct 17, 2018
    77
    Those who remember NBA Jam will appreciate NBA Playgrounds 2 as the fun game that it is. It has new game modes that gives a better and more complete experience. With the same looting system to obtain all the roster of players that it gives, it’s a pleasure to expend hours of fun on this arcade basketball.
  5. Digital Chumps
    Oct 26, 2018
    76
    NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is pure pick-up and play fun. Best enjoyed in short stints, the experience can wear thin quickly as the different game modes offer little variety.
  6. MondoXbox
    Oct 21, 2018
    75
    A very entertaining game with great gameplay and graphics, partially ruined by an excessively slow player progression and great reliance on its microtransaction system.
  7. IGN Spain
    Oct 17, 2018
    72
    NBA 2K Playgrounds is a small step forward in the work of Saber Interactive. In addition to greater content, we have more control over the unlocking of players.
  8. Jeuxvideo.com
    Oct 28, 2018
    70
    NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is somehow the next-gen NBA Jam fans were expecting with NBA Playgrounds: it’s a fun, easy-to-play, hard-to-master arcade game whose only flaw is a lack of game modes.
  9. XboxAddict
    Nov 16, 2018
    53
    If you’re looking for a fun and action-packed arcade basketball game, you’re unfortunately going to have to look elsewhere. NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is a disappointing and overpriced step backwards that suffers from the changes that were made to it, not to mention greed. As much as I looked forward to, and wanted to enjoy this one, I never found it to be all that fun.
  10. TheXboxHub
    Nov 8, 2018
    50
    The gameplay itself is fun and it’s a great throwback to NBA Jam, allowing you to have some fun for a few hours either with friends or online to dominate the playgrounds and become number 1. However, the grind needed to get any good players just isn’t worth the work.
  11. GameSpot
    Oct 24, 2018
    50
    It's fun to jump in for a few games and rack up points through extravagant slam dunks with your favorite players from the past and present. However, the novelty of arcade-style basketball wears thin quickly in NBA 2K Playgrounds 2.
  12. DualShockers
    Oct 22, 2018
    50
    If you want a quick and easy, arcade-style way to play basketball with your friends, you should just go to your local arcade with a fistful of quarters and play NBA Jam. Trust me, even though you have to feed the cabinet money after each game, you’ll still feel less exploited.
  13. Destructoid
    Oct 28, 2018
    40
    This is a game that does absolutely not need to exist but does for the sheer fact that the original game had no way of raking in the dough.

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2018
77
#77 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2018

User Reviews

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User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 21
  3. Negative: 6 out of 21
  1. Xbox_Alive
    Oct 23, 2018
    8
    The gameplay is more fun this time around than in the previous game and I think that’s mainly because everything feels more refined and fluidThe gameplay is more fun this time around than in the previous game and I think that’s mainly because everything feels more refined and fluid this time. Once again I enjoyed the presentation side of the game because both the visuals and sound design enhance the arcadey feel the gameplay possesses. There’s more depth present in all the different modes this year and this does make you want to return back to the game time and time again. I like the inclusion of being able to upgrade the players because it gives you a reason to continue playing which of course means the replaybility is high. Technically the game holds up really well throughout your time with the game and the online components have been improved significantly. In order to get the best player’s you have to grind a lot and this can be a little tedious every now and then. I did enjoy the NBA Season mode at first it did get repetetive quite quickly and more variety would’ve been nice here. Overall I was very pleased to see that NBA Playgrounds was returning for a second game because whilst the first game had a few shortcomings It still provided me with a lot of fun and enjoyable moments. Thankfully this time around there aren’t as many shortcomings and NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 has more depth in a number of areas compared to the first game. Each mode offers you more this year and this does make the game have a lot more replaybilty and when you combine that with the technically sound gameplay you end up getting addicted very quickly. The gameplay isn’t just technically better this year as well because it also feels much more refined and whilst getting the better players takes quite a bit of grinding you can look past this thanks to the inclusion of being able to upgrade the players you already have. The presentation side of the game also gives you a reason to look past the grinding issue as well because once again it ticks a lot of boxes in both the visuals and sound design. At the end of the day then recommending NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is quite easy because it’s an improvement over last year’s game and if you enjoyed the first game then this is a must buy because you’ll have even more fun and enjoyable moments this time around.… Full Review »
  2. davidpole23
    Feb 25, 2019
    3
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  3. pistonswin2019
    Oct 22, 2018
    8
    This is a improved game from the last one but some flaws include the three point contest and the vc thing but I did enjoy this game a lot .
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