If you are a big fan of basketball, then this article on some of the best NBA 2K games is for you. Whether you are a long-time basketball video game enthusiast.
There is no doubting the cultural influence that this franchise has had over the decades. If you are a long-time basketball video game fan, you know that NBA Live was once regarded as superior to 2K.
Before the epidemic, 2K Video game drops were nearly comparable to significant movie releases with live events and appearances from some of the league’s greatest stars.
And 2K drops were almost comparable to major movie releases with live events and appearances from some of the league’s most significant stars.
1. NBA 2K13
Every 2K game introduces something new, but if we’re sincere (and the last two years haven’t been accepted well).
2K hasn’t altered all that much in terms of general gameplay and controls over the previous several years.
As a result, ranking 2K titles becomes a function of what the game introduced. The hype/impact around its release, and how You received it.
In addition, it was the combination of both the 1992 and 2012 Olympic teams and the Jay-Z narrations that made 2K13 so special.
The gameplay was also good (albeit some players had difficulty with the dribble controls). And 2K13 was the first game to focus on sneaker culture. A good game.
2. NBA 2K2
The older 2K games, believe it or not, maybe superior in terms of overall development because the changes were more significant from year to year because the game (and technology) was still in its early phases.
Because it was the first time You offered the series on the Playstation 2, GameCube, and Xbox, 2K2 was a great hit. Making the game more approachable helped to extend the 2K audience.
2K2 was also the first game to depict its players’ abilities and skillsets accurately. Before 2001, Shaquille O’Neal and Tim Duncan could hit 3-pointers from almost anywhere on the court, entertaining but not feasible.
Basketball video games have to catch up to real life at some time, and 2K2 was the beginning. This is one of the best NBA 2K games.
3. NBA 2K20
NBA 2K20 is one of the more recent additions to the NBA 2K series, with a range of new adjustable settings for the game types.
This is one of the best NBA 2k video games. Furthermore, for example, players can create six expansion teams in the game types MyLeague and MyGM.
These teams can also be moved at any time by the player. It’s also the first time the WNBA clubs have participated in the series.
However, NBA 2K20 received a lot of flak for its heavy reliance on microtransactions in the MyTeam game mode.
4. NBA 2K19
NBA 2K19 is one of the 2k video games. It is the first game in the series to be released on neither the Xbox 360 nor the Playstation 3.
NBA 2K19 is also the first game in the series to provide a CBA Mandarin Chinese option for career mode commentary.
Even though it offered significant gameplay improvements over its predecessor. The game received much negative feedback from gamers, microtransaction tactics put a foul taste in the mouths of many who purchased the game and led to widespread censure by players, much as they did with its successor.
5. NBA 2K10
The eleventh episode of the series was also the first of many to be released for the PSP. They Featured Kobe Bryant on the cover.
NBA 2K10 featured the extremely popular MyPlayer and Association modes. Which would later appear in many subsequent entries in the franchise.
Though the game received positive reviews from critics. Many players were dissatisfied with the game’s online features. And several glitches and technical concerns that resulted in a choppy framerate.
Also, some chastised the game’s artificial intelligence. Claiming that opponent teams and players would occasionally act weirdly, resulting in hilarious moments.
6. NBA 2K Playgrounds
NBA Playgrounds was supposed to be primarily an arcade basketball game with a roster that included both active and previous NBA stars. It was inspired by titles like NBA Jam and NBA Streets.
The user must assemble a team of these stars from various packs in the game. Which are obtained through multiple game modes in NBA Playgrounds.
However, the game aggregate was met with mixed reviews from critics, with the single-player version being panned for its slow pace and the poor card pack drops.
7. NBA 2K Playgrounds 2
A sequel subsequently followed NBA Playgrounds after it had amassed sufficient sales. Following a lengthy delay, it was finally released in 2018.
And it played very similarly to the previous title while also incorporating several changes and improvements.
Furthermore, better online matchmaking, new playground options, and other enhancements were among them.
Despite the upgrades and improvements, they widely chastised the game for its pushy microtransactions, becoming increasingly common in modern sports games. This is one of the best NBA 2k video games.
8. NBA 2K18
NBA 2K18 is the final installment for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It’s also the first game in the 2k series to feature the Neighbourhoods mode, allowing open-world gameplay and fans to interact with celebrity players.
Furthermore, the game’s gameplay was lauded. But both players and critics widely panned the microtransactions and the poorly integrated Neighbourhoods option. Visual Concepts would, however, strive to improve the latter in future entries.
9. NBA 2K14
NBA 2K14 is the series’ 15th installment, and it was also the best-selling sports game of the eighth generation. Training camp mode, new signature skills, and other elements are included.
However, several reviews have panned the game’s design. Some claim that the new dribbling and shooting mechanics take much too long to get used to.
On the other hand, others were pleased to see some creativity, which is much too rare in annual sports sim games.
10. NBA 2K15
The scanning system, an upgraded MyCareer option, and a new coach satisfaction system are among the new game modes in NBA 2K15.
Also, Doc Rivers, the head coach of the famous Los Angeles Clippers, is the voice of the coaching system, who will critique the player during gameplay.
This, paired with better controls and personalization possibilities, contributes to it being one of the best NBA 2K games.
However, it received significant criticism because of repeated server difficulties that hampered online play. Furthermore, this is one of the best NBA 2k video games you can try.
11. NBA 2K16
Many believe NBA 2K16 to be one of the most ambitious NBA games ever made. Spike Lee, the director, had a big effect on the game and wanted the MyCareer feature to be more story-driven.
His ultimate goal was to provide players with a more realistic representation of basketball life in general.
The end result was a game with substantial content, which both players and critics highly regarded. The game, however, was not without flaws.
Such as technical glitches and the MyCareer mode being a little too limiting for certain players’ tastes. Furthermore, this is one of the best2k video games ever produced.
12. NBA 2K11
NBA 2K11 was the first game of the decade. Many game types that existed before the development of this game have been included and a new mode named “Jordan Challenge.”
The Jordan Challenge mode lets the user take on the role of Michael Jordan and experience his various achievements. After achieving these goals, the player is given Michael Jordan’s sneakers during his career.
13. NBA 2K12
NBA 2K12 introduced several new features, most of which were warmly received by longstanding franchise fans. These include a slew of additional quality-of-life features that, in most people’s opinion, make it a far superior game to NBA 2K11.
Furthermore, new teams were introduced, and improved control mechanisms were. And made the MyPlayer mode more interesting for both existing and new fans.
Also, NBA 2K12 also has an “NBA’s Greatest” option that allows players to relive historic moments with old teams like the Magic Johnson-led Los Angeles Lakers from 1987.
14. NBA 2K17
NBA 2K17 improves the basic basketball simulation formula with different quality of life enhancements. Also, New presentation qualities and updates to the settings allow for additional personalization.
Furthermore, if that wasn’t enough, NBA 2K17 also improves the MyGM and MyLeague game modes, with the former striving for a far more realistic focus. As a result, critics lauded the game, naming it one of the best NBA 2K video games.
15. NBA 2K6
Some may argue that 2K6 does not belong on this list, and we can understand that viewpoint. However, we believe this installment needs to be included because it marked a turning point in-game mechanics.
Unfortunately, the success of NBA Live 06 overshadowed 2K6, and many people are unaware of its significance.
Furthermore, the graphics were fantastic for 2005, the realism was insane, and playing with Kobe Bryant’s 2005/06 version was something we can enjoy even better now.
Shaquille O’Neal (who was playing for the Miami Heat at the time) was the cover athlete that year, and he had a friendly rivalry with Dwyane Wade, the Live 06 cover athlete.
16. NBA 2K3
2K3 is another oldie but goodie that was instrumental in developing many of the features that succeeding 2K games built on. It was the first year in a three-year agreement with ESPN.
And the general ‘Sportscenter’ aura helped elevate the game by giving you the feeling that your ‘highlights’ would be the ones to make the countdown.
However, you can control marginally improvements over the previous year. And the streetball feature was particularly cool given the condition of urban and hip-hop culture.
One of the most pleasant features of the game has always been the soundtracks, and the 03 edition is still one of the greatest. This is one of the best NBA 2k games that you should try.
