NBA 2K26 Review

It’s that time of the year again, when basketball fans old and new reunite to figure out what NBA 2K26 has been cooking for the past year. It ain’t always pretty, and sometimes there’s hardly any difference with the previous installment. Still, developer Visual Concepts can surprise players with something from half-court that can make the wait worth it.

Enter NBA 2K26, the latest installment in the long-running series of basketball simulation titles that have been a staple in every sports fan’s library for over a decade. Visually, the 2K series is top of the class, with each entry every year looking closer and closer to the real thing. This year, there are several gameplay updates that fans of the game who are thinking of an upgrade may want to give it a long look.

MyCareer is Back?

MyCAREER’s new campaign, “Out of Bounds,” takes players to uncharted territory as MP takes his talents to the EuroLeague from the humble courts of Vermont, and ultimately to the NBA. It’s a pretty significant step up in this regard, as we expose ourselves to a whole new storyline that we’ve never seen before. It’s a pretty improved storyline over its predecessor, but that said, there’s also the idea that if you’ve played a MyCAREER campaign, you’ve played them all, and that rings true to a certain extent.

NBA 2K26’s MyCAREER, despite its vastly different storyline, remains predictably clichéd and tedious in its story beats. You’ll see things coming, and it doesn’t help at all that the performances aren’t particularly believable and often overdone. This might seem to be the worst time to call out performances and a cohesive storyline, considering this is a basketball game after all. Still, every little bit helps, especially when previous installments had great production value like NBA 2K20.

That said, the path to the NBA remains as entertaining as ever, and playing through games as an underdog player making their way up the ranks is still a great way to experience NBA 2K26 if players prefer not to deal with the hassle of online multiplayer. The City for online play has been redesigned, making specific stops more accessible, but the push to pretty much living there and spending VC (what’s new?) due to the numerous activities and quests could be intimidating.

Overall, MyCAREER in NBA 2K26 is much improved over last year, but a big part of it can also be attributed to gameplay being improved, and that’s really what this game hinges on, whatever mode you’re playing.

Gameplay is King

NBA 2K26 feels like a big step forward in terms of actual gameplay. The foundations of the 2K series are rock-solid, so there are only so many adjustments every year that would merit an “improvement.” A good part of it hinges on the upgraded ProPLAY Motion Engine, which harnesses NBA broadcast footage to generate lifelike movement. Where 2K25 felt a bit floaty and had “skating,” this installment does well, making movement and animations much smoother, with both offensive and defensive sets playing out more realistically.

Over to news that many will applaud, NBA 2K26 improves the dreaded 2K25 shot meter and replaces it with a more forgiving and intuitive curved meter. In an effort to make the game more realistic and rhythm-based, the green window, where you should ideally release the shot button, will change depending on how free you are. Expect a larger green strip when left wide open, but when defensive specialists are on you like white on rice, you’re better off passing the ball. Post-play has also been improved, with up and unders, along with some signature post moves from big men.

While this might seem like a small change, it affects nearly every facet of the game, from offensive sets to passing and efficient off-ball movement.

On the defensive end, specific actions like rebounding will require a bit more involvement from the players. Rebounds will tell when the right time to jump is, and overall, the AI is also much improved, with interior defense and steal attempts being refined. You’ll notice defensive switches and teams collapsing on the paint, which is a nice touch, especially when paired with the new shot meter, making every point feel like a real accomplishment.

Another significant upgrade to NBA 2K26 is the deeper integration of the WNBA into the game, with female players now appearing across various modes. The WNBA is at an exciting point, and with players like A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart leading the charge, young guns like Sabrina Ionescu, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers inject much-needed electricity into the game that makes it enticing to actually play.

To VC or not to VC

An NBA 2K game isn’t an NBA 2K game without the presence of VC’s, and in NBA 2K26, the pressure to spend is still always front and center. The argument that it is optional is definitely acceptable, and if you’re prepared to spend every waking hour grinding like the pros, then VC purchases are probably the last thing you’ll think of.

Even then, VC is intertwined in almost everything that NBA 2K26 does, whether it be MyPLAYER builds or cosmetics, and even extends to other modes, especially MyTEAM, with its battle passes and pack purchases. With this system in place, it’s tough to keep up, especially in online matches, so there’s always a push to spend and purchase a few VC here and there.

Verdict: Buy it!

NBA 2K26 is far from the GOAT, but this year is packed with meaningful upgrades that directly address the missteps of the previous installment. The ProPLAY Motion Engine does the heavy lifting, making animations and movements look and feel more fluid, while the updated shot meter feels more natural and reflects in-game situations.

That said, areas like microtransactions are still prevalent, and to be quite honest, they will likely never go away. Further pushing VC purchases is the grindy nature of the game, but its optional nature is at least a good sign.

While there’s currently no competition in the space, NBA 2K26 delivers best-in-class gameplay, visuals, and performance, and remains true to its mantra that ball is indeed over everything.

*NBA 2K26 was reviewed on a PC with a review code provided by the publisher.