NBA 2K27 Review
Another year, another NBA 2K entry. This year, NBA 2K27 follows what is arguably one of the most exciting seasons in recent NBA history, with the Knicks edging out the Spurs and, ironically, the cover athlete of this year, Victor Wembanyama, in the finals. Given that premise, NBA 2K27 has big shoes to fill, and while it’s been the best basketball game out on the market for quite some time, partly due to a lack of reasonable alternatives, it can also be quite frustrating that every year feels so incremental.
Well, this year is just that. Again. But that’s not to say NBA 2K27 doesn’t come with changes because it actually does, but said changes may not be favorable to everyone, along with bringing along the usual concerns such as egregious monetization, modes that are not equally as fun, and other niggling issues that dampen the overall experience.
If there’s one thing about the NBA 2K series, it’s that gameplay is king, and that’s mostly the same in NBA 2K27. Its gameplay foundations have only grown more solid over the past years, and this year, players can expect the usual fluid movement, lifelike visuals and animations, and depth unlike any other sports game on the market.
In particular, defensive-minded players will get a kick out of NBA 2K27 because the game turns up the heat on that end. Overall, it feels easier and more effective to stay in front of the opposing player, resulting in better shot contests and pressure defense. That said, it goes both ways, and there can be times when getting by opponents off the dribble can be quite difficult, leaving offense as something that can be hard to come by during certain possessions. This really forces players to play excellent ball on both sides of the court rather than just relying on streak shooting and 3-point heaves.
NBA 2K27 tries to balance this by introducing a timing-based mechanic for shooting the ball called Rhythm Shooting. It does add a new wrinkle to the usual offense that you’ve gotten used to, and it is very skill-based because if you don’t release at the proper time, then you are more than likely to miss shots. It does take getting used to, and what’s nice is that if you don’t particularly like this mechanic, then you can always turn it off.
Additionally, going in for dunks and layups is drastically different in NBA 2K27 because of new meters that affect how you convert these attempts. Dunks now rely on and will largely depend on what the defense shows you on your way to the basket, meaning a wide-open attempt has a bigger chance to score you points over a contested attempt. This change does add to the realism and really forces players to move the ball around and look for high percentage shots rather than settle for a flashy dunk.
As a primarily single-player enjoyer, I do quite like going through MyCareer as religiously as possible across NBA 2K installments, and NBA 2K27 is no different. While the past entries have had problems with MyCareer, especially with how the story flows and whether it is engaging enough to keep you locked in, NBA 2K27 sees a bit of an improvement in this field with “Fire and Concrete” as we follow MP’s journey through high school and all the way to the G League.
It’s actually quite entertaining, and despite some cringe moments like usual, there’s something here to keep you engaged throughout because you’ll navigate your way through an unfortunate car accident as you make your way to the G League.
One pretty new feature of MyCareer is Running Mates, and it is basically what you would call the Pippen to your Jordan, as you have a teammate that you can have on your team to be your sidekick. I can see this being a hit or miss for some players, because it basically ends up with having you take on two MP’s instead of one. That said, there is potential since a player can control the Running Mate too, perfect for some co-op action.
As with recent NBA 2K entries, the City returns with a few improvements, mostly by letting female players join in on the fun with no drawbacks whatsoever. It’s a great addition, and it’s honestly refreshing to see more than just dudes roaming around for the longest time. That said, the fact still remains that the City can really be viewed as a place where ads run free and where VC is pushed as much as possible to provide FOMO. While it can always be argued that spending VC is optional, the way it is just presented can be off-putting to some.
If the more free-flow modes are not your cup of tea, you can always head over to MyNBA to experience MyGM, a robust franchise mode that does not disappoint. The formula has been refined to a shiny polish over the years, and is where the simulation (to an extent) part of the game bares itself in all its glory through setting schedules, drafting, working on contracts, and basically managing your own team, again, if that’s your cup of tea.
That said, one thing we haven’t discussed is how good NBA 2K27 feels to play because, well, it’s always been good, and it has come to a point where the team can only refine it so much. Visual fidelity could hit a limit, and shooting may change a bit more thanks to tweaks, but overall, NBA 2K27 just has gameplay that’s leaps and bounds better than anything else on the market right now. It features a wild amount of content good for hundreds of hours, superb visuals, and microtransactions galore, which are all par for the course.
Verdict: 7.5 Wait for it…
NBA 2K27 once again proves why it remains the premier basketball title, even if the series continues to evolve in small, incremental steps. The on‑court experience is as polished as ever, with stronger defensive play, new shooting and finishing mechanics that reward skill and smart decision‑making, and gameplay depth that still outclasses every other sports title. MyCareer also sees meaningful improvements through its “Fire and Concrete” storyline and new Running Mates feature, while MyNBA continues to shine as the franchise’s most robust and reliable mode.
However, familiar issues persist. The City still leans heavily into monetization and FOMO, some modes remain less compelling than others, and the overall package can feel like refinement rather than reinvention. Even so, NBA 2K27 delivers hundreds of hours of content, superb visuals, and the most authentic basketball gameplay available today. It may not be a dramatic leap forward, but for fans ready to dive into another season, it’s still a strong and worthwhile entry.
*NBA 2K27 was reviewed on a PS5 and PC with a review code provided by the publisher.
