NBA 2K19 Reviews
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.
NBA 2K19 greatly improves upon its predecessor with refined core mechanics, stunning graphics, and a plethora of solid game modes that offer nearly endless replayability.
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.
The most well-rounded sports game on the market once again
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.
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.
2K19's MyCareer represents some of the very worst in exploitative, money-hungry design in all of video games.
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.
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
NBA 2K19 continues its dominance over sports games with a new entry that provides substantial improvements both in the gameplay and its multiple game modes, although the predominance of microtransactions negatively affects the overall experience.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Whatever viewpoint you're coming from, NBA 2K19 is both slightly better and a bit more competent than its predecessor, but there are still issues that need to be addressed. It is still clearly designed so there is an underlying temptation to invest in some VC just to get to the good bits, instead of spending days, weeks, months slowly building up your player or your team. That said, whatever score it's given really won't matter since the NBA 2K series will remain dominant when the competition isn't as strong as it could be. While NBA 2K19 is competent it has also, for me at least, continued down the road of not feeling as fun or exciting as previous NBA 2K titles. This year, the feeling isn't so much of outcry as it is fatigue at having seen the gradual changes take place over the last several years.
Because of the way NBA 2K18 fell off last year, I tried to find the potential for major problems further into NBA 2K19's release cycle, but I couldn't. Whether you're a person who plays single-player, multiplayer, offline or online, this is the most complete sports game I've ever played. There is no such thing as a perfect sports game, but this is as close as it gets.
Despite the microtransactions, the new masterpiece of Visual Concepts rules on and off the court. NBA 2K19 is full of features and details and it's one of the best basketball sims, ever.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Year after year 2K shows how is possible to improve one product which is near perfect. Jab dropping graphics and realistic mechanics join to make NBA 2K19 the best sports game in the market.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
NBA 2K19 continues the series' legacy for offering the best basketball simulator on the market thanks to refined gameplay and a truly immersive presentation.
The king of hoops retains the throne.
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.
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.
Purchasing NBA 2K19 for yourself just depends on what you plan to play within its larger package. If you were already put off by MyCareer last year, then not much has changed to win you over this season. If you're looking for the best basketball sim on the market though to just play with friends or play by yourself in some of the more team-based game modes, you cannot do better than NBA 2K19. Despite there being so many fundamental changes that I want to see from this series moving forward in regards to many of its abrasive practices, at least the actual basketball has continued to be phenomenal without skipping a beat.
NBA 2K19 is the ultimate basketball simulation, with balanced gameplay and meticulous presentation.