NBA 2K26 Reviews
NBA 2K26 on Switch 2 fails to deliver the 60fps gameplay we've all been holding out for. It also runs at a lower resolution than I would have expected, and its online modes, thanks to no cross-play or cross-progression are ghost towns.However, if this is your only platform, and if you are okay with 30fps, there is still a huge festival of basketball to enjoy here. This is a game packed full of fun modes, and it'll teach you everything you could ever need to know about the sport whilst giving you some fine on-court action to boot. Here's hoping for a patch down the line, but 2K26 comes off as a great game underperforming on Switch 2 at launch.
NBA 2K26 remains the undisputed king of basketball games in a market with virtually no competition, sticking to its tried-and-true formula while polishing a few key aspects. We truly appreciated the improved on-court fluidity and the revamped shooting mechanics, as well as the solid structure of the career mode-though the reward system and the endless repetitive tasks don't always meet expectations.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Despite an unacceptable level of microtransactions, NBA 2K26's underlying fundamentals are improving, with a significant step forward on the court and admirable narrative attempts through Out of Bounds.
NBA 2K26 is the sports simulation we've known for years, with all its pros and cons: on one hand, the best basketball simulation ever created, with on-court realism that borders on perfection; on the other, an ecosystem that keeps leaning on microtransactions and a glut of content that doesn't always balance well with the pure experience. It's a technical masterpiece that constantly walks a tightrope between sport and business, between passion and profit. And yet, despite it all, it's impossible to let go: when the ball bounces, NBA 2K26 is still the king.
Review in Italian | Read full review
NBA 2K26 is -hands down- the best version of 2K possibly ever. The PlayPRO engine is leaps and bounds improved from 2K25, making for a wonderfully executed game backed by stellar presentation and AI powered strategy. There's so many ways to enjoy NBA 2K26, that both veterans and newbies to the series will fall in love. Just note certain modes favor microtransactions as the lone path to true success.
NBA 2K26 improves on NBA 2K25 with smoother motion, a smarter shot meter, and more realistic arenas and players. Offline modes still lack depth, and center balance is a concern, but overall, it's the best entry in years.
NBA 2K26 is another great addition to the franchise. While its focus is on small improvements, such as tweaks to graphics and gameplay, it delivers an even better package than last year's.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Every September, the question is always the same: is it really worth spending $70 on new jerseys, a trendy haircut, and yet another updated roster? The "2K tax" seems eternal, yet NBA 2K26 at least tries to shake it off by confirming itself as the best basketball game on the market. The new shooting indicator works, the movements are spectacular, and the defensive AI stops wandering around the paint like a tourist who has lost their guide.
Review in Italian | Read full review
“Ball Over Everything” is a fitting description for NBA 2K26. The smooth on-court action is better than ever and MyCareer’s excellent started-from-the-bottom journey to the pros story make it so the imperfections are easier to ignore.
NBA 2K earns another year as the best annual sports game available.
NBA 2K26 offers interesting gameplay additions while improving its audiovisual capabilities. However, in terms of modes, it's still hampered by the usual issues. If you avoid its tedious systems and microtransactions, you'll find a good basketball game.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
This year's NBA 2K opens with your MyPlayer character squaring up to cover athlete Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He chooses a dream team comprising S...
NBA 2K26 delivers the strongest entry in the series in years, offering refined gameplay and rich online content. It also serves as a solid entry point for newcomers provided they can tolerate the heavy microtransactions and slow-paced progression.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
It's the installment we've liked the most in recent years, especially in terms of gameplay and when it comes to creating our player and taking them to the top, but it's still too intrusive with microtransactions, although Visual Concepts has taken measures here too, albeit minimal ones.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Despite aggressive, overtime-running microtransactions, NBA 2K26 shines with its tightest, most fluid gameplay yet, water-smooth animations, and a more heartfelt MyCareer, making it superior to NBA 2K25 and the clear MVP of basketball games whether you spend extra money or not.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
NBA 2K26 revitalizes the franchise after a small dip in NBA 2K25, led by the strongest MyCareer mode in years, thanks to a gripping prologue and refined gameplay with updates like the new shot meter and smoother movement, even if MyGM still lags. With only minor flaws, it feels nearly complete, true to the slogan “Ball Over Everything.”
Review in Italian | Read full review
NBA 2K26 steps up with smoother gameplay, smarter AI, and a new shot system that makes every possession count. MyCareer, MyTeam, and The City all see meaningful updates, while presentation improvements bring the atmosphere closer to a live broadcast. VC reliance and balance issues still drag it down, but this year’s release feels like the most complete basketball experience the series has offered in years.
NBA 2K26 features a ton of tweaks and additions to make it the best in the series, with stellar presentation and important gameplay improvements.
Offline or when playing with friends, it's pure basketball love; online and when playing with strangers, microtransactions and pay-to-win dominate. The game types are all enjoyable and fun, but the concept behind them noticeably hurts the overall rating.
Review in German | Read full review
NBA 2K26 combines improved visuals with some important tweaks to keep the series feeling fresh.