NBA 2K26, A Slam Dunk Review!

ince concrete competition to the NBA 2K series has not appeared for decades, like Steph Curry, we are forced to chew the same thing every season. However, it seems that this year there are at least some signs of refreshing novelties…

First of all, I played the whole thing on PC. I had earlier half-baked PC editions, which I quickly left behind, and I gladly played a good number of matches even on the keyboard, for old times' sake, which was surprisingly easy to pull off. The PC version also doesn't have any visual downgrades compared to the console versions. On a technical note, I didn't experience a single complete crash of the game, apart from a couple of desktop throws, but without losing the current match.

If you are interested in a roguelite-style game, check out our review of The Rogue Prince of Persia!

Fluid Player Movement and Realistic Animations in NBA 2K26

As for gameplay, a notable improvement was introduced with the new shot meter, which visually represents the timing of a quality release. The curved white shot meter features a green part at the top, indicating perfect release timing. Additionally, the whole thing is nicely enriched by a slight noise that becomes audible when the button is released at the ideal time. The only thing that alleviates the uncertainty is that, as soon as you've heard it, you know the points are coming.

Of course, that green part depends on several factors: from how skilled the player you are shooting or laying up with is, to how difficult the shot you have taken is, and of course, whether he is alone or has three players in his face. The whole thing is also dynamic, so that the perfect top of the shot meter shrinks if the initially open player feels pressure before the release.

Also, the complete player movement is at a highly fluid level. The most obvious is when playing with a set screen where the defending player struggles heavily, twisting himself to get around the screen. As realistic as the game is, in my first match with Embiid, the guy got injured in the first quarter.

Borrowing Playstyles from NBA Legends

What new do the game modes bring us in NBA 2K26? First of all, there is a significantly improved MyCareer mode, which is hard not to try because, right at the start, it's shoved in the player's face to choose the look of his character and his attributes. When choosing attributes, after selecting the preferred position and height, you can choose some of the pre-prepared playstyles modeled on some current or former NBA players. This goes down to pretty minor details so that every movement animation can be "taken" from other players: release like Curry, dunk like LeBron… even more banal examples like a light jog just like Paolo Banchero. The only thing missing is an option for my armpits to smell like Dražen's.

After creating the character, the start of MyCareer mode is pretty cool. You find yourself in a fictional conversation with cover athlete Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in an empty arena, and to prove that you are a big shot, you face off in a duel between your choices of the best starting fives of all time and his.

It's immediately evident that facial animations are excellent, especially for players who took the time to have their faces scanned with advanced technologies. In contrast, those with more significant business interests, such as training horses in the Balkans, were somewhat disadvantaged.

From EuroLeague to NBA Stardom In NBA 2K26

Surprisingly, the voice acting is also quite good, making this the first case where I'm interested in playing this mode, which traditionally involves bringing your character into the NBA. Nicknamed MP, your character is an ambitious high schooler from Vermont who, when not training, records videos for his questionable fan base. Throughout high school, he strives to reach NBA fame, and along the way, he is advised by numerous characters, both from the ranks of basketball scouts and members of his family and close friends.

But the road to the goal will not be straightforward, so your MP will be forced to play a season in Europe, which really pleasantly surprised me. In some earlier iterations of NBA 2K, European clubs were included, but unfortunately, this is not the case here. As a result, you will play with their fake versions, similar to those in football PES. For selection, you have the option to join either the fictional Basquet Madrid or Paris BC. Through the Spanish and French leagues, as well as a bit of EuroLeague, you eventually reach the NBA draft.

With good performances in the NBA, you can sign with numerous real sponsors, and the benefits can be charming. By the way, in this mode, the ball and player movement are particularly evident, and those set screens will be your main enemies, as the opposing player will hold you up long enough to have a coffee.

Multiple Iterations of NBA Stars Like Durant

When not playing matches, you can spend a lot of time outside of them, either in your gym, which you can redecorate a little, or in the City, where you can move through the virtual world, hang out with other players, and play on outdoor courts. I'm not a big fan of anything outside of the matches themselves or, say, cutscenes in MyCareer mode, because everything else bursts too much with color.

MyTeam offers a unique feature by including current female players in the vast array of cards you can collect to build your unbeatable team. This mode involves competing against other players in online clashes, either five vs. five or three vs 3, using a lineup of players you have created by combining purchased or obtained player cards, similar to card games.

The Ongoing Issue of Microtransactions

Player cards come in various iterations, allowing you to obtain different versions of a player, such as Kevin Durant from Golden State, rather than the current one. Additionally, combining two players from the same team, either current or historical, into the starting five provides extra benefits, increasing the stats of both players.

I can't mention MyTeam without reminding you of the most prominent sore spot of NBA 2K games, and that is still the ever-present microtransactions. Namely, in the game, you can use virtual currency to buy the mentioned cards. Still, you don't have it in abundance, and the solution is to pay additional real money for the virtual one. It's unfortunate that this issue also affects single-player modes, where MP attributes are improved exclusively with virtual currency. I don't even need to mention that various payment methods are cleverly inserted at every step, subconsciously nudging you toward additional spending.

In MyGM mode, you can choose complete club management, and, similar to MyCareer, also walk around your gyms and offices. When choosing your character's traits, you can select his background, and depending on whether he is a former player, scout, or businessman, you get different franchise management skills. Apart from the start, that mode didn't get any significant novelties.

Options are still available for playing The W mode, essentially the female version of MyCareer, but it's less interesting, as if it's included solely for form's sake. Additionally, there are options for playing ordinary matches in MyPlay mode. Previously included eras, such as Kobe's and Jordan's, are still present, without any additions.

NBA 2K26 In Conclusion

Presentation-wise, the game is at its standard high level, in terms of excellent commentators (at the start of MP's career, they are different than usual), halftime show taken over by Shaq and the crew, players giving statements, dancers, mascots, highlights, all that adorns an excellent depiction of an American basketball show. Visually, it looks more than good enough.

The question is how many novelties you can expect from sports games that are released annually as standard. This year's NBA 2K has brought some novelties, but unfortunately, the persistent inclusion of microtransactions will again deter many players, and the price is not very approachable either. 

Fortunately, no one is forcing you to buy every new 2K game, and if you haven't played in a while, I recommend considering this one. The improved shot meter is a key factor in gameplay, and movement is more fluid as well. This year's MyCareer will draw you into a dramatic battle for a place among the greatest.

Rating:

I would rate the game 8.2/10, as it introduces genuinely fun and fresh changes, such as the improved shot meter and a deeper MyCareer. However, its heavy reliance on microtransactions and lack of significant innovation across modes hold it back.

Recommended Age:

I recommend this game for kids 12 years and older, primarily due to the complexity of its gameplay systems, strategic elements, and aggressive microtransaction design, which may be challenging for younger kids to understand or resist. This game, however, holds an E for Everyone rating on ESRB.