NBA 2K19 Reviews

NBA 2K19 is ranked in the 83rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Sep 11, 2018

NBA 2K19 is the ultimate basketball simulation, with balanced gameplay and meticulous presentation.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 18, 2018

NBA 2K19 is a joy to play, but with progression in MyCareer often halted due to lack of VC, you have to wonder why 2K wants you to struggle to progress, especially after last year's concerns.

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Sep 12, 2018

The king of hoops retains the throne.

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USgamer
Top Critic
Sep 14, 2018

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.

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8 / 10
Sep 13, 2018

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.

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8.2 / 10.0
Sep 11, 2018

NBA 2K19 is the best basketball simulator out there. The depth of its game modes will allow the players to entertain themselves for a massive amount of time. However, microtransactions still remain a strong element, even if they are not as much as in last year's entry.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8.3 / 10.0
Sep 13, 2018

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

8.5 / 10.0
Oct 12, 2018

NBA 2K19 is still the go-to basketball simulation game out there. Its polish and refinement have only improved since last year, and it's difficult to imagine any improvements for next year. The MyCareer story has definitely improved, and so have the cut scene management and character customization. MyTeam feels like a revolving mode of new updates and content, but players who don't purchase VC may be getting the short end of the stick, since 10 pack boxes are exclusive to VC only. The game is amazing in all regards, but the constant reminder and pressure to purchase VC is wearing thin.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 12, 2018

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.

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IGN
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Sep 11, 2018

For many, basketball is more than just a game, and NBA 2K19 doesn't take that lightly. It throws every resource it has into the theatrics of the sport, creating charismatic presentation, a well-written story mode, and strong core gameplay. The series' persistent weaknesses are still apparent in areas like the transition game and ludicrous microtransactions, but there's so much variety to how its extensive MyLeague mode plays out that there's always a reason to look forward to the next game of basketball.

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86 / 100
Sep 11, 2018

Quote not yet available

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Gamersky
Top Critic
8.7 / 10.0
Sep 11, 2018

The brand-new MyCareer mode makes NBA 2K19 still worth a try. Although NBA Live makes a progress this year, NBA 2K19 is way ahead of it. One-year interval surely can't bring any revolutionary changes, but 2K still gives us something interesting.

Review in Chinese | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Sep 16, 2018

NBA 2K19 has raised the bar once again, not just for future iterations of the series but for every sports game developed moving forward.

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Gamefa
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Sep 29, 2018

No one can make a basketball game better than 2k and This year with NBA 2K19, 2k proved it once more. Although microtransactions and some technical problems prevent NBA 2019 from becoming a legend, but it's still one of the best sport games of this generation and one of the best basketball game of all time.

Review in Persian | Read full review

90 / 100
Sep 21, 2018

Despite keeping last year's terrible decision to force players to buy into microtransactions, NBA 2K19 is still the king of sports games. The matches are better than ever and there are enough alternatives for those who don't want to spend a dime over the game's price, even if they are not ideal. You'll still feel like you're in the courts of the best basketball league in the world.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Sep 14, 2018

"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.

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Sep 11, 2018

The game makes the necessary adjustments to huge flaws from the previous year, with nice additions added in that keeps the 2K machine going as the Top Simulation Basketball Game on the market.

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4.5 / 5.0
Sep 20, 2018

2K19 is a must buy game for all NBA fans. The MyCareer mode has been improved with all new additions and changes to the Neighborhood. The graphics have dramatically improved and the refined movement of players and the realistic aspect of the game is at an all-time high. 2K has again proved why they are the superior basketball game.

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4.5 / 5.0
Sep 17, 2018

NBA 2K19 continues the series' legacy for offering the best basketball simulator on the market thanks to refined gameplay and a truly immersive presentation.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 13, 2018

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