NBA 2K26 Review

NBA 2K26 reviewed by Nico Vergara on PlayStation 5. Also available on Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Switch 2.
Belief and disappointment go hand in hand; just ask any sports fan. The crushing blow of losing lingers, but is eventually replaced by a newfound fervor – a flicker of hope that maybe this time things will be different. With the NBA 2K series, it’s mostly been frustrating in recent years because we so often end up being disappointed. Thankfully, NBA 2K26 bucks that trend with a MyCareer mode (for my money the star and core of each annual game) is the best it’s been in years thanks to its amazing prelude storyline. And like a group of reliable role players, a handful of tweaks, most notably the updated shot meter and player movement, tie everything together nicely so that the gameplay in each mode is less stressful and more rewarding. Of course, these excellent improvements make the imperfections stand out, with MyGM continuing to stick out like disgruntled benchwarmers. Overall, NBA 2K26 is the equivalent of a team that’s a few pieces away from contending, making this year’s catchphrase, “Ball Over Everything,” pretty fitting if you don’t count the endless microtransactions in all the online modes. Because when you’ve got the core performing this well, and all eyes are on the on-court action, it becomes easier to ignore those imperfections.

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