NBA 2K26 Review (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 & PC)

Every year when a new NBA 2K comes out, the question pops up immediately: Is this worth the upgrade, or should we stick with last year’s version? For longtime fans, the series has been a roller coaster. Some years deliver incredible improvements, while others feel like nothing more than a roster update with a fresh cover star. That’s why so many players came into NBA 2K26 with cautious optimism.

The marketing promised big gameplay overhauls, revamped modes, and a more substantial overall experience. After putting in plenty of hours across MyCareer, MyTeam, MyNBA, and online play, it’s clear that NBA 2K26 is one of the better entries in recent memory. Of course, it isn’t flawless, but it finally feels like the series is making meaningful progress instead of minor, forgettable tweaks. Let’s break it down in this review. 

Still Pushing the Visual Limits

At this point, most players assumed NBA 2K had maxed out the current generation of consoles. Somehow, NBA 2K26 manages to squeeze out more detail and polish. The improvements aren’t massive, but they stand out once you spend time with the game.

Player models look sharper, with better lighting and sweat effects. Close-ups during cutscenes feel lifelike, especially when the camera zooms in on star players. Jerseys, tattoos, and even shoes show off extra detail. Similarly, the arenas carry more atmosphere with upgraded lighting. Even the crowd looks more believable, cheering with energy when the action gets intense instead of sitting like mannequins.

Of course, there are still hiccups. Certain player faces, particularly some of the retired legends, don’t look as sharp as they should. Hair physics sometimes behave awkwardly, and crowd animations start repeating if you pay too much attention. These are small flaws, but they remind you that even with all the polish, perfection hasn’t been reached yet. Still, NBA 2K26 remains one of the best-looking sports games on the market.

The Real Game-Changer

Gameplay is where NBA 2K26 makes its biggest leap. In past years, tweaks often felt minor, like surface-level changes that didn’t alter the experience much. This year is different. The improvements to how the game plays are meaningful, and they make every match more intense.

The paint is no longer an easy scoring zone. Driving to the rim without a plan usually ends with your shot getting swatted into the stands. Defenders react more quickly, rotate better, and punish sloppy attempts. Layups now require proper timing, adding a skill-based layer that makes finishing around the basket more realistic. Instead of barreling into defenders and hoping for the best, players must create space and think about positioning before attacking the rim.

Additionally, ball handling feels smoother, too. Dribble moves transition seamlessly, and the ball no longer feels glued to your player’s hand. It reacts naturally to contact, which means charging into traffic often results in losing control or turning it over. It can be frustrating, but it rewards players who understand spacing and timing. 

Defense also deserves credit. On-ball defense feels more rewarding, as it allows players to shut down opponents by cutting off lanes and playing smart. Additionally, the body-up system has been refined, and successfully stopping an attacker feels amazing. The AI is sharper too, reading passing lanes and punishing lazy cross-court passes.

That said, not everything is perfect. Steals can feel inconsistent, sometimes bouncing back to the dribbler even when you poke the ball cleanly. Contest logic still has issues, with defenders occasionally watching perfectly challenged shots go in as if their effort didn’t matter. And fouls in the paint can feel cheap, with refs calling contact even when you go straight up. These frustrations aren’t deal-breakers, but they keep the gameplay from being flawless.

MyCareer Brings Back the Excitement

MyCareer has always been one of the flagship modes, but in recent years, it has stumbled with awkward stories and bloated city layouts. Thankfully, NBA 2K26 feels like a return to form. This year, you play as MP, a high school player from Vermont chasing a spot on the 2K Top 250 list before aiming for the draft. The story is more grounded than in previous years, avoiding the awkward scripts that have plagued the mode. The cutscenes are polished, the dialogue feels believable, and the journey into the league has more weight.

In addition, the City also benefits from streamlining. Gone are the days of endless jogging to different buildings to get things done. Everything is closer, events are easier to access, and the overall pace is faster. Leaderboards give recognition to top crews, and community events add life without overwhelming players.

Still, some old problems remain. Notably, the grind is brutal if you don’t spend money. Levelling up your player through pure gameplay takes forever, leaving you underpowered for dozens of games. Microtransactions are unavoidable, with VC constantly tempting you at every turn. While the story is more polished, pacing issues exist, with some moments flying by too fast and others dragging. Despite those drawbacks, MyCareer is the most enjoyable it has been in years.

MyTeam

MyTeam continues to be one of the most divisive parts of NBA 2K. For some, it’s an addictive way to build their dream roster. For others, it’s a money sink. NBA 2K26 keeps the familiar formula but adds some exciting wrinkles.

The biggest addition is WNBA players joining the mix. It feels wild seeing Lisa Leslie or Skylar Diggins on the same squad as Michael Jordan, but it works surprisingly well and adds variety. Coaching upgrades bring strategy, rewarding you for completing challenges and giving new ways to customize your lineup. Modes like All-Star Team-Up and 3v3 Park break up the grind with more casual but still competitive play.

Unfortunately, the problems that have always haunted MyTeam remain. VC and pack odds make the mode feel heavily pay-to-win. Building a competitive roster without spending money requires an exhausting grind. Matchmaking isn’t always fair either, with casual squads often running into opponents stacked with top-tier cards. On top of that, the sheer volume of cards and promos can feel overwhelming for newcomers. Even with these issues, the new additions keep MyTeam fun for dedicated fans. But if you dislike microtransactions, this mode will still test your patience.

Fun Additions but Still Pay-to-Win

For players who love controlling entire teams and shaping basketball history, NBA 2K26 once again delivers. MyNBA remains the crown jewel of franchise modes in sports gaming. Six eras are included: Magic vs. Bird, Jordan, Kobe, LeBron, Steph, and the modern era. Reliving history through different rule sets, retro uniforms, and authentic presentation never gets old. The addition of the NBA Cup keeps things fresh without breaking the core experience.

On the other hand, MyGM continues to struggle. While offseason scenarios add some flavor, the mode is still bogged down by repetitive cutscenes and unnecessary walking around. The conversations feel dry, and progression often feels like busywork.

Of course, the W is growing nicely. It’s still simpler than the men’s MyCareer, but press conferences, rivalries, and GOAT challenges make it more engaging than before. It’s clearly getting more attention each year, and while it isn’t fully fleshed out yet, it feels like it’s on the right path.

The Bad

Even with all the improvements, NBA 2K26 can’t escape some long-standing issues. Microtransactions remain the biggest problem, dominating both MyCareer and MyTeam. It’s hard not to feel like progression is deliberately slowed down to push players toward spending VC.

Online servers are still shaky. Lag, disconnections, and random drops ruin matches more often than they should. For a sports game that thrives on online competition, this is a serious frustration.  AI inconsistencies pop up, too. Teammates sometimes stand still on offence, miss defensive rotations, or fail to recognise open shooters. It’s rare, but when it happens, it’s maddening. Some animations also feel recycled, showing their age compared to the fresh new ones.

And finally, the learning curve is steep for newcomers. Between badges, animations, and mechanics, NBA 2K26 throws a lot at you, and the tutorial only covers the basics. For returning players, it’s manageable, but for newbies, it can be overwhelming.

Verdict

NBA 2K26 is not perfect, but it’s the strongest entry in years. The gameplay changes breathe new life into the experience, making matches feel more innovative and more rewarding. MyCareer has regained its excitement, The City is less of a hassle, and MyTeam offers fresh features that expand its depth. MyNBA continues to set the standard for franchise modes, while The W is showing signs of real growth.

But the same problems keep this sports game from reaching its true potential. Microtransactions cast a shadow over everything, online servers remain unreliable, and certain modes like MyGM feel like afterthoughts.

If you’ve been waiting for a year for NBA 2K actually to make progress, this is it. NBA 2K26 isn’t just a roster update; it’s a meaningful improvement that makes basketball feel fresh again. For fans of the series, it’s worth the investment, but keep in mind that the grind and monetization won’t magically disappear.