NBA 2K19 Reviews
Once again, NBA 2K becomes inevitable. it only fix a few things in terms of mechanics and content but it's enough to offer the best gameplay in the series so far.
Review in French | Read full review
A few hiccups along the way, especially in relation to some pretty serious online multiplayer instabilities, definitely bring down the experience in 2K19. Thankfully though, these quibbles don't tarnish what is definitely the best option for your basketball fix this year.
If you've passed on some NBA games, now is the best time to return to the court. It features a ton of refinements across the board and took into consideration some much-requested features from fans. If not for the blatant microtransactions and VC-driven progression system, NBA 2K19 would be the best basketball game on and off the court to date.
NBA 2K19 has raised the bar once again, not just for future iterations of the series but for every sports game developed moving forward.
There seems to be a stronger foundation in place this time around, and for fans, that may be enough to keep their basketball season from ending early.
The on-court action of NBA 2K19 has never been better, and the new Takeover system adds a fresh wrinkle to the gameplay. However, the continued presence of microtransactions continues to bog down the otherwise overwhelming amount of content.
NBA 2K19's on-court disappointments are somewhat remedied by the hugely entertaining off-the-court shenanigans, but a steep learning curve may leave less experienced players a little overwhelmed.
"NBA 2K19" is as complete a sports video game as any ever made, and only its aggressive monetization tactics hold it back from being considered one of the greatest. With four different Franchise Mode variants, an enjoyable Story Mode, a rich suite of online features and continued celebration of the history of the league, "NBA 2K19" offers something for everyone.
The two sides of NBA 2K are once again on display in this year's version. One side is the immensely polished and ambitious design that has propelled it to the top of the sports sim heap. The other is the tacky, brand-heavy microtransactions that dominate its showcase mode. I think the former outweighs the latter, but it's too bad that microtransactions overshadow what should otherwise be an amazing love letter to the sport of basketball. At least there's always franchise mode.
Basketball has seen many legends etch their name in the Hall of Fame since the very beginning and NBA 2K19 is a masterstroke in showcasing the games illustrious career by offering tight controls, stunning visuals and animations in between the best commentary and visual presentations in the sports game industry. It's unfortunately still hampered with the "pay to gain" mechanic that might put some people off, but the gameplay makes the grind worth it.
2K had little choice but to listen to its community following the damage done last year but they've rebounded with possibly their best-ever title.
While the heavy emphasis on microtransactions is still front and centre in NBA 2K19, progression has been improved enough to make this a far more attractive prospect for both rookies and seasoned vets. With a vastly superior MyCareer story, a revamped social hub, a suitably tweaked MyGM mode and all the presentation-focused bells and whistles you expect from the premiere basketball sim, NBA 2K19 continues to cement itself as one of the Switch's strongest sports offerings. If you needed any more proof that Madden, NHL and the like can work on Nintendo's hardware, this is it.
Between a few novel minigames in Neighborhood and some simple esports integration, 2K19 sometimes feels like a title update as opposed to a full-blown sequel. But what really matters, the basketball, is better than it's ever been. While I may have gripes with the design of the game outside of the court, NBA 2K19‘s mechanics are almost perfect in every imaginable way, and that is no small feat! Having played all manner of sports games this generation, it seems as though different developers are interpreting what it means to release a yearly title in different ways. While I understand the core 2K audience enjoying what they're given, there has to be a sense of quality control before the series turns into a games-as-a-service nightmare instead of a proper, AAA release with all the bells and whistles that fans expect ready at release and polished to a T.
NBA by 2K is confirmed as the best basketball video game series, with a long and engaging career mode, effective AI and great visual appeal even for this installment. Unfortunately, microtransactions are still a problem and cannot be ignored.
Review in Italian | Read full review
If the NBA 2K series is the LeBron James of basketball games, then NBA 2K19 is another triple double from Visual Concepts. A game with improved gameplay, a great Prelude and an incomparable presentation. Still, mind that the microtransactions are still here, and they are as annoying as ever.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The king of hoops retains the throne.
You can do pretty much whatever you want, whether it's play every game with your favorite team, sim seasons and be a manager, invent your own team, bring in legends to the modern NBA, or play through cinematic stories. It's a lot to take in and sift through, but if you have a passing affinity for basketball, a mode is likely here for you. NBA 2K19 is a top-tier sports game, even on the Switch. It's just a shame the microtransactions are ever present.
This year's iteration of NBA 2K packs plenty of game modes and deep mechanics that occasionally falter. And unfortunately again, VC rules everything around it.
As a newcomer to the series, I was very surprised but also pleased with how inviting NBA 2K19 turned out to be.
The most well-rounded sports game on the market once again