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NBA 2K18

2K
Sep 15, 2017 - PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5
Strong

OpenCritic Rating

80

Top Critic Average

68%

Critics Recommend

IGN
8.4 / 10
GamesRadar+
4 / 5
Game Informer
7.5 / 10
Game Informer
9 / 10
GameSpot
8 / 10
Polygon
7 / 10
USgamer
3 / 5
TheSixthAxis
3 / 10

NBA 2K18 Review Summary

StrongCritic Consensus

Plenty of Modes

Spectacular Graphics

Extensive Microtransactions

Delivering another standout game of Basketball, NBA 2K18 is a pristine simulator that improves on its predecessors. There's plenty of pushback on the game's creeping microtransactions, but playing with a buddy is still tons of fun.


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NBA 2K18 Media

NBA 2K18 - Legend Edition Reveal Trailer | PS4 thumbnail

NBA 2K18 - Legend Edition Reveal Trailer | PS4

NBA 2K18 Screenshot 1


Critic Reviews for NBA 2K18

NBA 2K18 is another step forward on the court, improving on the series' already great gameplay. You're rewarded for smart, controlled basketball when dribbling, driving, and playing defense in ways that make sense for the players you're controlling. In the side modes, results are mixed: the new fusion of Career mode elements into The Neighborhood gives it some new life, but the same can't be said for the meaningless story elements within MyGM, and microtransactions now have too much of an impact on gameplay. There's far more good than bad, though, and NBA 2K18 deserves credit for taking chances.

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Its generation-long strengths hold true, and just about prevail over an increasingly cynical microtransaction creep. My Career's jump to an open-world setting throws a new gauntlet down to the rest of sports gaming.

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The franchise, single-player, multiplayer, and collectible card modes deliver hundreds of hours of fun, but expect a fair share of glitches to pervade the experience

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With a robust offering in the franchise, single-player, multiplayer, and collectible card modes, NBA 2K18 delivers hundreds of hours of fun

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NBA 2K18 is the gold standard for sports simulations, but this year's entry is overloaded with microtransactions.

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Of course, it's no surprise that NBA 2K18 looks good; the series has looked the part since its advent on the Dreamcast, staying relevant visually and staking out its own part of basketball culture. NBA 2K18 continues the trend, capturing the feel of basketball's urban centers in The Neighborhood.

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There's so much to love about NBA 2K18 on the Switch, but there's no denying that there are some major flaws here, especially in the flagship MyCareer mode. As much as I love NBA 2K's ambition in creating a full portable port, it's tough to wholeheartedly recommend in light of its persistent technical problems and other niggling flaws.

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You absolutely cannot ignore how NBA 2K18 is a full price game that also integrates the business model of a free to play/pay to win title and the way that the enjoyment you get from it suffers because of it.

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