NBA 2K16 Reviews

NBA 2K16 is ranked in the 93rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
IGN
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Sep 29, 2015

NBA 2K16 is a leap forward in defensive AI, online stability, and overall polish. This is amazing basketball.

Read full review

Sep 28, 2015

NBA 2K 16's strong fundamental basketball smarts, world-class presentation, and multitude of options make it the most ambitious sports game I've ever played.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Oct 2, 2015

With several modes worth playing, NBA 2K16 offers the most value you'll find in a sports game

Read full review

GameSpot
Top Critic
8 / 10
Sep 30, 2015

NBA 2K16 draws you in with its welcoming personality and expanded game modes. But it still manages to push you away with unexplained intricacies.

Read full review

USgamer
Top Critic
Oct 7, 2015

NBA 2K16 is definitely hurt by Livin Da' Dream, which is problematic in ways that go beyond the scope of this review. It just doesn't work. Once you get past MyCareer, though, NBA 2K16 once again stands out as a top-tier sports sim. Here's hoping this setback won't stop Visual Concepts from continuing to push the envelope with their design decisions, because it continues to be their most admirable quality.

Read full review

Sep 29, 2015

NBA 2K16 is full of features and detail. It's possibly the most complete game to the series. . . . 2K Sports rarely take a step back and this year is no different.

Read full review

8 / 10
Sep 27, 2015

Overall though NBA 2K16 is a solid game that has great gameplay, and fantastic presentation.

Read full review

Oct 3, 2015

Visual Concepts has done a commendable job with just one year of development. NBA 2K16 boasts many on-court improvements over last year, most notably on defensive that help create a better flow during games. Although the microtransactions devalue certain aspects of the game, and Pro-AM has connection issues, the on-court changes and additions are worth checking out for basketball enthusiasts.

Read full review

VG247
Top Critic
Oct 7, 2015

NBA 2K16 is definitely hurt by Livin Da' Dream, which is problematic in ways that go beyond the scope of this review. It just doesn't work. Once you get past MyCareer, though, NBA 2K16 once again stands out as a top-tier sports sim. Here's hoping this setback won't stop Visual Concepts from continuing to push the envelope with their design decisions, because it continues to be their most admirable quality.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Oct 1, 2015

The best basketball game around, giving you an enjoyable and realistic experience with tons of modes and options that will keep you busy for hours.

Read full review

Sep 27, 2015

In 2K16 Visual Concepts proves once again that they've still got their fans in mind, adding new features and modes, re-introducing old favorites, and sharpening both the visuals, presentation, and gameplay to near perfection.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Nov 23, 2015

NBA 2K16 brings another year of championship quality basketball to the console and PC.

Read full review

82 / 100
Oct 1, 2015

Another slam dunk from 2K Sports

Read full review

ZTGD
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Oct 13, 2015

Overall the improvements to 2K16 cannot be ignored. The gameplay is better than it's ever been, the presentation is fantastic and the expansions to My League and My GM are very welcome. For someone like me however, for whom My Career is consistently the biggest draw, it's hard to not be disappointed. My hope is that next year 2K addresses my concerns in this area and finally delivers what I would consider the perfect hoops game.

Read full review

4 / 5.0
Oct 12, 2015

Although the much touted MyCareer mode curated by Spike Lee serves more as a distraction than a can't miss feature, NBA 2K16 continues to deliver where it matters, which is the gameplay on the court. Admittedly, it can be intimidating for newcomers but folks who pick up its nuances will appreciate the tightened defense and multitude of options on the court. Add solid production values and graphics and NBA 2K16 maintains its top spot on the virtual basketball mountain.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Sep 26, 2015

While there are certainly some stumbling points, NBA 2K16 is another great entry in 2K's series. Livin' Da Dream may feature more cutscenes than Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, but it's an interesting way to present a career mode. Visual Concepts is not afraid to take risks, and most of them have paid off in NBA 2K16.

Read full review

Sep 25, 2015

Simply put, if you loved "NBA 2K15," "NBA 2K16" is a better game with tons of small touches that will make you happy, but not overjoyed. If you've never experience a 2K basketball game on a PlayStation 4or Xbox One however, you'll about to fall in love.

Read full review

GameCrate
Top Critic
9.5 / 10.0
Oct 23, 2015

Best sports game ever made (probably!). I can't wait to see them top it next year.

Read full review

EGM
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Oct 1, 2015

Marvel at NBA 2K16's drive for excellence and all they've put into making this year's sim incredible. Year by year 2K has learned to make a more solid sports title, and now it's not just a highlight-reel player, but an accomplished All-Star video game.

Read full review

Unscored
Sep 29, 2015

Yet Spike Lee's nuanced plotting and oftentimes poetic phrasing yield a promising beginning for sports game narrative, a beginning so affecting that Lee's last scenes left me staggered. It's a cautionary tale that should be refined to become far more interactive in next year's game.

Read full review