NBA 2K26

The absolute glut of content is impressive and intimidating all at once, and NBA 2K26’s on-the-court performance is so good that it’s worth the annoyances that come with the franchise. Whether you want to chart your custom character’s career through the NBA or WNBA, take the reins and rewrite your favorite franchise’s history, or build your dream roster of players from across eras, NBA 2K26 gives you all the tools to do so.

NBA 2K26 revitalizes the franchise after a small dip in NBA 2K25, led by the strongest MyCareer mode in years, thanks to a gripping prologue and refined gameplay with updates like the new shot meter and smoother movement, even if MyGM still lags. With only minor flaws, it feels nearly complete, true to the slogan “Ball Over Everything.”

Once again this year, NBA 2K26 is an immersive experience for any fan of the North American league. Ultra-complete with perfectly rendered atmospheres and player visuals/gestures, fans of management and controller sensations will enjoy offline modes like MyNBA, MyGM or MyTeam. This last mode mixes NBA players and WNBA players for even more legendary team possibilities and variety in the title. On the other hand, the online MyCareer mode will be divisive with its gameplay for Season 1, reserved for hardcore offensive players who know their shot and dunk gauge by heart, to the detriment of irregular shooting defenders. Visual Concepts has managed to be even more effective this year by leaving aside the side quests to get to the essentials and give more tools for fans of player and team creation to have fun. All that's missing is a game that's less demanding of virtual currency, 2K26 being still devilishly pay-to-fast, to approach perfection in the sports simulation genre.

Thanks to these significant improvements to gameplay, its easy to recommend NBA 2K26 to both newcomers to the franchise and longtime fans. It’s the best playing basketball game we’ve gotten in years, at least 2K23. With that being said, it’s hard not to be frustrated with the things that are still holding the series back. The game would be well served by a firm split between MyCareer and The City, with a Career mode and progression system more akin to MLB: The Show and an online multiplayer component that emphasizes parity rather than pay to win (or in most cases pay to simply be competitive). Feels like this is a pipedream based on the revenue that the series brings in, but it would definitely improve the overall experience.

The basketball is better than perhaps ever and the presentation of the game, especially around the games, is leaps and bounds better than what other sports game series offer. If you can overlook (because it's hard to overlook) all the attempts to get your money out of your wallet, this is such a great sports game. I just wish they would stop being so greedy, but the fact that it's incredibly fun to play basketball on the court might be the most important thing.

2K has done an amazing job with this years instalment, adding new things and improving other’s. Shooting feels amazing but Defence does need some tweaking. Also adding WNBA players to MyTeam, we come one step closer to Woman in MyCareer. Something that I think is more of a sooner then later addition.

NBA 2K26 confirms itself as one of the most complete basketball games ever made. The graphical improvements, refined gameplay, and variety of game modes make it a title that can satisfy every type of player, from casual gamers to hardcore fans. MyCareer and MyTeam remain the cornerstones, but multiplayer options and management modes also offer deep and engaging experiences. Microtransactions remain a sore point, yet despite this, NBA 2K26 represents one of the most polished sports experiences available. It’s true that there’s still no real competition, but once again, Visual Concepts has delivered a quality package this year.

I do still have fun in The City thanks to its ever-cycling limited-time events, casual and competitive game modes, and vibe as a landing spot for basketball fanatics to congregate and have fun together. Knowing this virtual city is also where the game's most obvious issue has become an annual pain makes my experience a bit more conflicted than it should be. Is NBA 2K26 an excellent basketball video game? Absolutely, it is. Does it suffer from a pay-to-win problem in some areas? Absolutely, it does. Thankfully, The City, MyCareer, MyNBA, and its WNBA modes combine to overcome that glaring problem and still make this a game well worth playing in a number of different ways. I liken it to my home of Portland, Oregon, home of the Trail Blazers. The cost of living is burdensome and ought to be addressed, but dammit if I'm not compelled to make it work because, despite its faults, I love it here.

It might not feel all that different to NBA 2K25, but there are enough refinements and new things in NBA 2K26 to make this year's game more than worthwhile. If you're a fan of hoops, then the lure of a new MyCareer, more MyTeam, and the always great NBA Eras, will no doubt prove irresistible.