NBA 2K24 Review – Gamecritics.com (2024)

Macrorealism Mired In Microtransactions

HIGH The on-court gameplay reaches new heights of realism

LOW Microtransactions and cash grabs sink to new depths of capitalism

WTF I sprained seven knuckles trying to recreate moves like Kobe.

For the last few years, I’ve ended every NBA 2K review the same way — expressing cautious optimism in the direction of the series, while admonishing the developers for not making enough progress. This year, things were much more difficult to review. On one hand, NBA 2K24 is easily the most impressive rendition of digital basketball ever created. On the other, it serves as a sad (and potentially costly) reminder of where annual sports titles are headed.

Right out of the gate, fans of basketball games, sports games, and videogames in general are going to be floored by NBA 2K24’s visuals. The series has always featured top-flight graphics, animations, and presentation quality, but thanks to frighteningly realistic player models and an all-new 3D scanning system, the on-court gameplay has never been more lifelike. And, unlike in many other A-list sports game series, the close-up replays maintain the same visual splendor, with no tearing or janky animations to ruin the immersion.

For the skeptics out there, my wife walked into the living room and watched several minutes of the gameplay before realizing there was a controller in my hand. Even the in-game advertising and between-play commentary had her convinced I was watching TNT’s weekly NBA broadcast. And when she finally realized it was a game, she began to watch more closely. Only the somewhat stilted halftime show dialogue seemed unrealistic — hardly a dealbreaker, given the audio quality evident in the rest of the game.

Accompanying the ridiculously detailed visuals is a streamlined control scheme that finally allows the controller to be an extension of the user inputs, rather than a trigger for pre-canned animations. The NBA 2K controls have been trending in the right direction for the last few years, but 2K24 represents the first time I truly felt like my button presses and timing reflected the on-screen results.

Though the game is absolutely bursting with modes and things to do, NBA 2K24 is enjoyable for almost any user to simply pick up and play, which isn’t something I’ve written too often in prior reviews. This praise extends to the online component, which is just as smooth and lag-free as it performs offline. Lobbies are well-populated, matchmaking is precise, and the sense of a 2K “community” is strong.

That said, 2K didn’t design this title just for one-off games on the couch. This edition features the all-new “Mamba Moments” historical mode, which allows users to recreate key highlights from the late Kobe Bryant. Overall, achieving these is both rewarding and — to be honest — a little emotional. It doesn’t quite hit the same highs as the Michael Jordan version, but Kobe had some banner moments, and they’re nicely represented here.

MyNBA Eras is also back, adding the Lebron James era to the mix. While I prefer to focus on current NBA teams and lineups, those wanting to recreate epic historical matchups — complete with era-appropriate presentation — are going to find a lot to like here.

Also, I’m happy to report that 2K built upon the WNBA mode considerably, with a fuller complement of modes, including its own career path. Likewise, WNBA fans will now enjoy the same player upgrade paths as the male-focused counterpart, bringing fans a nicely fleshed-out experience. I have my fingers crossed that fans take advantage of these modes so we can continue to watch WNBA representation grow in future editions.

As has become a series hallmark, 2K24 is loaded with traditional modes, from the standard season and franchise tilts to the card-collecting MyTeam and story-based MyCareer excursions. The first two are typically deep and enjoyable, and users will find them well worth the time investment.

The second two modes are also well-composed and easy to enjoy. The career mode is much more streamlined than in past years, forgoing the maudlin rags-to-riches narrative in favor of putting users in the role of a top draft pick and instant starter for any team they choose. In a nice touch, the MyPlayer is a solid player right from the outset, lowering the barrier to entry for newcomers. In turn, upgrades are noticeable and player evolution is fairly consistent.

Unfortunately, the game’s creators want users to invest more than just time. Microtransactions are here to stay — an unfortunate reality for customers, and an absolute necessity for game studios to keep up with the costs of their Hollywood-level productions. I’m not blind to why so many companies implement microtransactions as part of their business models, but their role in NBA 2K24 is making things unapproachable for many gamers.

I suppose people could grind out level upgrades for their card teams or MyPlayer avatars the old-fashioned way — by playing endless rounds of digital basketball. They could also spend more money every few months for a new Season Pass, and all the perks and luxuries that come with it. Or they could opt for purchasing in-game currency and level-skip passes.

All of the above would be perfectly acceptable if it wasn’t so difficult to grow my teams and players without extra expense. I understand capitalism, and it’s likely that die-hard fans of the series will spend handily to reach the maximum levels possible. I just wish it wasn’t so necessary.

In the end, NBA 2K24 might be the finest sports videogame I’ve ever resented. The butter-smooth gameplay, extensive core modes, and pristine visuals will deliver months upon months of top-tier digital hoops, which is reflected in the final score. However, those interested in character and team advancement will likely find the reliance on microtransactions to be too demanding and expensive to realistically pursue.

Score: 8.5 out of 10

Disclosures: This game is published by 2K Games and developed by Visual Concepts. It is available on XBO/X/S, PS4/5, PC and Switch. This game was obtained via publisher and reviewed on the XBX. Approximately 20 hours of play were devoted to the single-player mode, and the game was not completed. Approximately 5 hours of play were devoted to online multiplayer.

Parents: According to the ESRB, this game is rated E. This is a basketball simulation game in which players can select teams from real NBA rosters, compete in tournaments, and play through regular seasons. Players can also manage individual franchises and the careers of their customized athletes.

Colorblind Modes: There are no colorblind modes available.

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Gamers: NBA 2K24 features subtitles and numerous tactile feedback features within the controller, in all modes. The game is fully accessible.

Remappable Controls: The controls are not remappable. Examples of the control schemes are below.