Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. Sep 18, 2019
    98
    NBA 2K20 has made it again. The title of 2K Games comes with enough new features for veterans to feel and evolution and the simplicity necessary to catch the newbies. Thus, the title par excellence of basketball stands, one more year, as one of the most complete sports games on the market.
  2. Sep 10, 2019
    94
    Basket lovers, even if you only have a basketball alternative this year, we can assure you that NBA 2K20 is at a great level. If you are not a WNBA fan, don´t expect great novelties.
  3. Sep 17, 2019
    90
    It looks beautiful, plays like butter, and is still one of the most enjoyable games I play each year. The game does have its issues, but as of writing, a lot of the glitches I saw seem to have been addressed. My biggest gripe (and I know I’m not alone) is the amount of emphasis placed on VC each year, and how it feels even more off-putting this year. It takes away from what is such a beautiful and well-crafted game. But if you’re like me and don’t play the card game and don’t mind the grind, NBA 2K20 is still the best sports game on the market.
  4. Sep 13, 2019
    90
    2K keeps in improving its NBA game, adding more depth and strategy to its gameplay and greatly boosting its career mode. Invasive microtransactions and the lack of online play for the WNBA teams just keep it from reaching higher grounds.
  5. Oct 1, 2019
    88
    Overall, NBA 2K20 is still the best basketball game on the planet and that doesn’t look to be changing any time soon. While some fans may be upset about microtransactions, it’s not a requirement to play the game. At this point, however, it seems like as long as NBA 2K is the best game out there, microtransactions will be here to stay.
  6. Sep 18, 2019
    88
    NBA 2K20 is once again the best exponent of the genre. The novelties included in its modes are only stained by some very intrusive microtransactions.
  7. Sep 23, 2019
    85
    With new console hardware expected to arrive by late 2020, there’s a good chance much of 2K Sports’ design and programming teams are hard at work making the most of new technology. However, that doesn’t excuse the visual and gameplay gaps that shouldn’t be here. That said, NBA 2K20 is still a fantastic basketball sim with enough modes and features to keep fans busy until those revolutionary next steps start to come in over the next few years.
  8. Sep 11, 2019
    85
    NBA 2K20 also comes through in the gameplay department, allowing individual expression within a team dynamic.
  9. Oct 1, 2019
    80
    The shame of all this is that without these practices, NBA 2K20 can stand tall as the best basketball sim available. Even running unopposed with the retirement of the NBA Live franchise, it continues to get better and better on the court, but serious issues surrounding that experience leave it feeling less and less impressive year on year. Here’s hoping 2K can end that trend.
  10. Sep 16, 2019
    80
    The aesthetics and physics are the best I’ve ever experienced in a basketball game, the customisation and level of detail in created players and icons from the league is simply stunning, and the sheer volume of game modes to chose from is incredible. The huge downside to this game though is the greed from 2K who only want you for your money, making it purposefully hard to improve in MyTeam unless you bow to this.
  11. Sep 9, 2019
    80
    NBA 2K20 is a great game for those who new to the franchise or who have taken some time away from it. The every-year purchaser, however, may not find the same value present as they've come to expect from 2K while stumbling upon familiar reasons for frustration. Despite that, it would be difficult not to recommend "2K20" under almost any circumstance given its authenticity and depth in a number of areas.
  12. Sep 9, 2019
    80
    NBA 2K20 doesn’t go over the edge, it doesn’t bring much novelty to the series. On the other hand, it has better defense and goes a little further as a simulation. But the micro-transactions are too strong with this one.
  13. 80
    There's a big, impressive game to sink your teeth into with 2K20, even if it tastes a bit like 2k19.
  14. 70
    NBA 2K20 is a fun game that has tweaked a handful of different modes, provided a better story than usual and modified the gameplay in a challenging new way that takes some getting used to.
  15. Sep 16, 2019
    67
    This game is designed to get you to pay out as much money as possible, as often as possible, and it just so happens to be built around basketball. Admittedly, the basketball here is quite solid, but more often than not it feels like an afterthought to the main, casino-tinged event.
  16. Sep 10, 2019
    65
    NBA 2K20 is so similar to last year's game that it's hard to wholeheartedly recommend it like we normally would. If you haven't bought an NBA 2K game in a while, then by all means, don't hesitate to dive right in. But if you're still happily playing NBA 2K19, there's really no reason to make the switch. Major, sweeping changes are clearly in order, and we hope to see big things happening for NBA 2K21.
  17. Sep 19, 2019
    50
    If you’re a huge basketball fan then of course you’re going to want to buy NBA 2K20, warts and all. But you should probably ask yourself, “do you need to?”. If you just want to play basketball, NBA 2K19 does the job nearly almost as well – and you can pick that up for peanuts if you don’t already own it. NBA 2K20‘s MyCareer is a huge disappointment, and other modes have had minor improvements at best. All you’re really paying for is roster updates, WNBA and the opportunity to buy more VC. If that sounds like a good deal to you then jump in, but it really shouldn’t.
  18. Sep 15, 2019
    50
    NBA 2K20 is yet another theoretically great basketball sim that undermines its improvements and core gameplay strengths with a realism-at-all-costs mentality and a near-dystopian approach to microtransactions.
User Score
1.6

Overwhelming dislike- based on 336 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 336
  1. Sep 11, 2019
    8
    NBA 2k20 I found be very similar last years game. Sure there have been a few tweaks but the overall formula has remained largely unchanged.NBA 2k20 I found be very similar last years game. Sure there have been a few tweaks but the overall formula has remained largely unchanged. Not that it's a bad game, it just needs some taking out and dusting iff to make it feel fresh and overly exciting again. The game is still great in the fact it does do so much right like previous years rendition. I just want to see a sports game finally come out that that you are just like wow this is definitely a 10/10. I have fond memories of the old sports games and I played them an excitement like no other, no micro-transactions or and its was just all about pure fun and putting your victories in your friends or family members faces. NBA 2k20 is light years ahead of what we use to play but that same level of fun can be appreciated and recreated today people just need to stop worrying about how they can possibly be that disappointed the the small tweaks and the basketball game they go out every year and buy, enjoy it for what it is a fun experience that is brought you you year after year and stop rating games 0.8/10. The new consoles are upon next holiday season, I think we're in for a fantastic time and I think just maybe were going to see that 9/10 or maybe even that 10/10 basketball experience. I'm super stoked too see what next year holds in store fun and new gaming experience. If you enjoyed last years offering you will have no issues enjoying NBA 2K20 either. Full Review »
  2. Sep 9, 2019
    4
    This game is filled with so many little bugs. The grind for this year's game isn't too bad for mycareer. It is actually much easier to get aThis game is filled with so many little bugs. The grind for this year's game isn't too bad for mycareer. It is actually much easier to get a player to overall 99. The game is the same but a lot of the animations needs some tweaks. The load time and lag for this game are ridiculous. It takes forever to update a player's attribute. Playnow online is kind of unplayable at the moment. In the middle of the games, 2k server for that mode might go down. If you're excited about myteam this year, don't be. This mode needs a lot of improvement. They should've focused on that mode and just tweak a few things in mycareer. Overall, the game isn't good at the moment.

    Is it worth buying?
    Right now, no, but later on yes.
    Full Review »
  3. Sep 9, 2019
    0
    Game is a waste of money. The money they want you to spend is crazy. We need to teach them not to do this. Go back to old school basketball.