REVIEW: ‘NBA 2K26’ Brings Basketball To Life

With other sports game franchises making major leaps, the NBA 2K series is hoping its new changes will help revolutionize the basketball franchise. NBA 2K26 introduces some major upgrades that make it the best in a long time, but is it enough to stand out in the crowded sports game genre?

One of the new changes that stands out immediately is the upgraded visuals. The lighting is improved, arenas feel distinct, as does fan behavior, and small details, such as adjusting how sweat on the players looks, all add to the experience. Seeing an animated coach talking to his bench while a fan in the background comes back with popcorn really immerses you in the experience.

Gameplay in NBA 2K26 also received some upgrades. The movement physics of the ball feel noticeably different, creating an even more realistic approach to playing the game. Dribbling is not robotic, and movement is as unique and varied as it is in real life. 

Driving to the rim is a major focus in NBA 2K26, and that work is apparent throughout. NBA 2K26 incentivizes driving in towards the basket by adding new moves and ways to score. This, combined with enhanced defensive AI, prompts players to think more critically about how to approach scoring. You can’t just spam dribble moves and three-pointers. Instead, players are encouraged to think more strategically, the way a real basketball player would.

MyPARKS receives a major facelift in NBA 2K26.

The City is back again in NBA 2K26, this time with a major facelift. The layout is easier to navigate, and performance does not suffer in this crowded online arena. There is a renewed emphasis on the fan-favorite MyPARKs, and parks will be rotating seasonally to keep The City fresh and exciting.

I don’t typically spend much time in The City, but the revamped approach drew me in. There are some gameplay elements, such as MyTEAM challenges, that steer you towards the mode, which can be mildly frustrating for those who want to avoid it.

However, it is encouraging to see the online hangout spot receive some genuine attention. Loading in to take to the court against other players is exciting, and hopefully player engagement drives the continued updates that will be needed to keep it feeling fresh over the life of the game.

MyTEAM integrates the WNBA, but with some hiccups.

Speaking of MyTEAM, WNBA players are now fully integrated into the mode. Players can now collect cards of their favorite WNBA players and use them alongside their NBA counterparts on the court. It is great to see the rise in popularity of the WBNA translated into the game, but it does come with a few caveats.

WNBA in MyTEAM is a good concept in theory, but it doesn’t always work well in practice. Players are locked into their positions, which creates some serious mismatches. A good example is star center A’ja Wilson. At 6′ 4″, Wilson is a dominant player in the WNBA. The problem is that she is stuck going against players like the 7′ 3″ Victor Wembanyama. Height is so crucial to the sport, so being able to defend against shorter WNBA players without even needing to jump is a serious issue.

An easy way to help mitigate this would be allowing players to play in any position, but that fundamentally changes the way MyTEAM operates. Another approach would be to enhance the stats of WNBA players to help compensate for the physical discrepancies, but that comes with its own balance problems.

Ultimately, it is nice to see WNBA players given the respect they deserve, but it is hard to see how 2K can nail the balance to incentivize using them in the game, given the drawbacks.

MyPLAYER and The W continue to grow in NBA 2K26.

MyPLAYER also joins the “new update” club with an overhauled player creator that builds on what fans loved in the last iteration. There are new archetypes to choose from, and new progression layers give players more control over how their created player develops. MyCOURT is also back, allowing players to spend as much time as they want practicing to get a better feel for the game.

The story in MyPLAYER follows the same general idea of an underdog fighting his way to stardom that previous games have taken. The cutscene animation has been improved, and the story itself feels a bit more fleshed out than usual. It isn’t necessarily going to win any storytelling awards, but players who enjoy the theatrics are going to find plenty to enjoy along the way here.

The W has been brought up to the level of the other modes as well. Players can live out their WNBA GOAT journey without feeling like the mode is a complete afterthought. Additions like press conferences and GOAT challenges make it a more worthwhile experience, even if it doesn’t quite live up to the MyPLAYER experience.

Small tweaks like faster simulations make NBA 2K26 feel like a fresh update.

The least changed modes remain MyNBA and MyGM. A few new tweaks, like offseason challenges with team-specific goals, do add a new layer, but they don’t revolutionize the modes. Dynamic banners are neat, showing off your hard-won championships in the arena as you earn them.

Simulations are also noticeably faster, making the experience more enjoyable. Public online playoff leagues are now available for the first time, allowing players to take on the challenge of beating real-life opponents instead of the computer.

NBA 2K26 combines improved visuals with some important tweaks to keep the series feeling fresh. It still feels like the same old basketball experience, but the fresh coat of paint and greased wheels make it more fun to play and will have players coming back for more.

NBA 2K26 is available September 5th on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.