NBA 2K24 Review: The Most Addictive (and Infuriating) Basketball Game You’ll Play This Year
17.01.2026 - 17:36:58
Every basketball fan knows the feeling: you fire up your console looking for a quick game, and suddenly you're knee-deep in menus, confusing modes, and gameplay that either feels too arcade or too robotic. You want to feel like you're in an NBA arena, not stuck in a spreadsheet of sliders and currencies. And if you've been burned by sports games packed with paywalls and grind, your guard is already up.
This is the space NBA 2K24 steps into: a world where you want a true next-gen basketball experience without feeling like your wallet is playing defense against you.
Developed by Visual Concepts and published by Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (ISIN: US8740541094), NBA 2K24 aims to be the definitive basketball simulator for PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC. It leans hard into realism, Kobe Bryant nostalgia, and online competition, while doubling down on a virtual currency economy that has the community talking—loudly.
Why this specific model?
So why NBA 2K24 and not just another year of whatever 2K you already own? The short answer: it's the most polished on-court gameplay the series has had in years, especially on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, but it comes with caveats.
Here are the big upgrades and what they actually mean for you:
- ProPLAY technology (new-gen consoles) — On PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, NBA 2K24 uses actual NBA game footage to drive player animations. In practice, that means signature jumpers, drives, and footwork feel more like watching a real broadcast. Star players move with weight and nuance instead of canned, copy-paste animations.
- Improved shooting and defense systems — Community reviews and early impressions point to a tighter skill gap. Shot timing matters, defensive positioning matters, and the game feels less "scripted" than some prior entries, especially online. When you lose, it feels more like you misplayed the possession, not that the engine betrayed you.
- Mamba Moments mode — Instead of last year's Jordan Challenge, NBA 2K24 focuses on Kobe Bryant. You replay some of his most iconic games and sequences, with commentary framing his evolution as a player. It's part nostalgia trip, part interactive documentary, and one of the more universally praised modes.
- MyCareer with a unified city on new gen — New-gen players get a streamlined city hub for MyCareer with quests, events, and progression tied into a living online space. It's less bloated than earlier years, but still very much an RPG-like grind where your player grows through games, quests, and, yes, virtual currency (VC).
- Crossplay (new gen only) — For the first time in the series, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S players can hoop together in certain online modes. That means shorter queue times, tougher competition, and less "dead" playlists if your friends are on another platform.
The core selling point is simple: if you want the most realistic, broadcast-style NBA simulation available today, NBA 2K24 is that game. The players look more like themselves, the pace feels closer to real basketball, and the moment-to-moment gameplay has never been deeper. But that's only half the story.
At a Glance: The Facts
| Feature | User Benefit |
|---|---|
| ProPLAY animation tech (PS5 & Xbox Series X|S) | More lifelike movement and signature animations that make games feel like watching real NBA broadcasts. |
| Mamba Moments single-player mode | Relive Kobe Bryant's greatest performances with curated challenges and commentary-driven storytelling. |
| Crossplay on new-gen consoles | Play online with friends and rivals across PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, reducing matchmaking wait times and expanding competition. |
| MyCareer & The City (new gen) | Build a custom player and live an NBA career in an open-world style hub packed with games, events, and progression paths. |
| MyTeam card-collecting mode | Assemble your dream lineup of past and present stars, play offline or online, and chase high-level cards through seasons. |
| Multiple editions (Kobe Bryant, Black Mamba, etc.) | Choose your starting point with different VC amounts, cosmetic bonuses, and content bundles based on how much you plan to invest. |
| Available on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC | Play wherever you prefer, with the most advanced feature set reserved for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. |
What Users Are Saying
Browse Reddit threads and community forums about NBA 2K24, and you'll see a clear pattern: the on-court basketball is widely respected; the business model and grind are not.
Common praise includes:
- Best gameplay in years — Many players say the new-gen gameplay feels smoother, more responsive, and more balanced, especially in online head-to-head modes. Skillful defense and smart playcalling are rewarded more consistently.
- Kobe nostalgia lands well — Fans of Kobe Bryant appreciate the Mamba Moments and the general "Mamba" branding of this year's edition. It gives single-player fans something meaningful to chew on.
- ProPLAY feels next-gen — For players with PS5 or Xbox Series X|S, the subtle animation realism is one of the biggest reasons they say they can't go back to older entries.
Recurring complaints are just as loud:
- Aggressive microtransactions — MyCareer and MyTeam progression heavily leans on VC. Reddit posts frequently describe the grind as "brutal" or "pay-to-progress", especially if you want a competitive MyPlayer without sinking dozens of hours.
- Slow early grind in MyCareer — New builds feel underpowered out of the gate, making it tough to enjoy online park and rec play unless you either grind heavily or spend VC.
- Old-gen vs. new-gen disparity — Players on PS4, Xbox One, and Switch often feel they're getting a cut-down version compared to PS5/Xbox Series X|S, with fewer technical advances and less polish.
The consensus: if you care deeply about how the game feels on the court, NBA 2K24 delivers. If you're allergic to microtransactions, the surrounding economy could be a dealbreaker.
Alternatives vs. NBA 2K24
Right now, NBA 2K24 doesn't have a direct, modern competitor that matches its depth and licensing in the NBA simulation space. Still, you do have options, and they matter depending on what kind of player you are.
- NBA 2K23 — Last year's entry is often cheaper and still has strong gameplay. You'll miss out on ProPLAY, crossplay on new gen, and the Kobe-centric content, but if you're a casual offline player, it may be "good enough" at a lower price.
- Older 2K titles (2K22 and earlier) — Useful if you just want to mess around offline, run seasons, or play local couch games. However, servers for online modes are eventually shut down, and the gameplay gap versus 2K24 is noticeable, especially on new gen.
- Non-sim basketball games — If you're exhausted by grind and realism, arcade-style titles offer quick, fun sessions without heavy progression systems. You'll lose the authenticity and depth of NBA 2K24 but gain simplicity and less pressure to spend.
Where NBA 2K24 clearly pulls ahead is realism, player likeness, and the sheer volume of modes—especially if you're on PS5 or Xbox Series X|S. Where it lags is consumer-friendliness. You're not just buying a game; you're entering an ecosystem that very much wants you to keep spending.
Final Verdict
NBA 2K24 is the kind of sports game that can quietly take over your evenings. One more game turns into five. A quick MyCareer session becomes a full-blown quest to perfect your build. A casual MyTeam match spirals into a hunt for that one card that will finally round out your lineup.
On the court, it's breathtaking: animations that feel human, a skill gap that rewards smart basketball IQ, and enough depth to keep you learning for months. The Kobe-centric content adds heart, especially if you grew up watching No. 8 and No. 24 hitting impossible shots.
Off the court, it's complicated. The virtual currency grind, the push toward microtransactions, and the difference between old-gen and new-gen experiences are legitimate concerns. Reddit and forum discussions make it clear: this is an incredible basketball game wrapped in a monetization model that won't be for everyone.
If you're a die-hard NBA fan with a PS5 or Xbox Series X|S and you're willing to either accept the grind or budget a bit extra for VC, NBA 2K24 is the definitive basketball sim right now. If you're more casual, hate microtransactions, or are playing on older hardware, you may want to wait for a sale or stick with a previous entry.
But if what you want is that feeling of walking into a roaring arena, taking the ball at the top of the key, and knowing that your next move—not some canned animation—will decide the game, NBA 2K24 delivers the closest thing you can get without lacing up in real life.
You can learn more or purchase directly via the official site at nba.2k.com/2k24, and explore the broader portfolio from publisher Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. at take2games.com.
