Every IGN NBA 2K Review Ever
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2019年10月19日
2K has long been an outstanding series, pushing forward all sports games in its pursuit of quality. Here's every review of every NBA 2K game since, well, NBA 2K.
Reviewed by Brandon Justice
24 November 1999
Many aspects of this game are unbelievable, but it is the type of game that does just as much to open your eyes to the possibilities as it does to blow you away. In the end, we've got one hell of a basketball game, but a game that is far from perfect. While not quite as polished as NFL2K, NBA2K is most certainly a must have title for any sport fan, and is one of the most compelling reasons to own a Dreamcast to date. Bring on NBA 2001, boys, and next year, think three free-throws. Three!
">Reviewed by Brandon Justice
24 November 1999
Many aspects of this game are unbelievable, but it is the type of game that does just as much to open your eyes to the possibilities as it does to blow you away. In the end, we've got one hell of a basketball game, but a game that is far from perfect. While not quite as polished as NFL2K, NBA2K is most certainly a must have title for any sport fan, and is one of the most compelling reasons to own a Dreamcast to date. Bring on NBA 2001, boys, and next year, think three free-throws. Three!
Reviewed by Brandon Justice
7 November 2000
This game can be frustrating unless you play by its rules, which are often far outside the realm of what is physically reasonable. It is a fun basketball game, and makes a lot of advancements in the genre, but still lacks the polish to be the type of revolutionary experience NFL2K1 was for its sport. We'll be happy playing this one, but we can't wait 'til next season, where we'll hopefully find a more enjoyable balance between realism and fun.
">Reviewed by Brandon Justice
7 November 2000
This game can be frustrating unless you play by its rules, which are often far outside the realm of what is physically reasonable. It is a fun basketball game, and makes a lot of advancements in the genre, but still lacks the polish to be the type of revolutionary experience NFL2K1 was for its sport. We'll be happy playing this one, but we can't wait 'til next season, where we'll hopefully find a more enjoyable balance between realism and fun.
Reviewed by Anthony Chau
2 November 2001
The improved AI, making the computer opponent more aggressive on defense, may have been just a little too aggressive as I find my computer opponents setting up zone defenses really early in the game. Finally, the commentary isn't great; it pales in comparison to the lively commentary found in NFL 2K2. But these minor gripes are stated because there's nothing really wrong with the game, and considering the competition - or should I say, lack of competition - NBA 2K2 is one of the most complete sports games on any platform.">Reviewed by Anthony Chau
2 November 2001
The improved AI, making the computer opponent more aggressive on defense, may have been just a little too aggressive as I find my computer opponents setting up zone defenses really early in the game. Finally, the commentary isn't great; it pales in comparison to the lively commentary found in NFL 2K2. But these minor gripes are stated because there's nothing really wrong with the game, and considering the competition - or should I say, lack of competition - NBA 2K2 is one of the most complete sports games on any platform.
Reviewed by Hilary Goldstein
6 October 2002
If you've always been with Sega's hoop title, don't stop now, it's been fixed and made even better. If you're new and looking for a really solid sim that does basketball intelligently and realistically, this is your game. And if you want a more run-and-gun fun style, then maybe try one of the other offerings this year, because NBA 2K3 don't mess and if you're not prepared, it will aggravate you.
">Reviewed by Hilary Goldstein
6 October 2002
If you've always been with Sega's hoop title, don't stop now, it's been fixed and made even better. If you're new and looking for a really solid sim that does basketball intelligently and realistically, this is your game. And if you want a more run-and-gun fun style, then maybe try one of the other offerings this year, because NBA 2K3 don't mess and if you're not prepared, it will aggravate you.
Reviewed by Jon Robison
21 October 2003
The addition of a pro hop button and the separation of the shoot and dunk buttons would make the game all the better, but even without those features, ESPN NBA Basketball is still overall the best playing basketball game this season. For the first time, basketball fans have an excuse to be playing a game at four in the morning. It's 24/7, the life of a baller. ">Reviewed by Jon Robison
21 October 2003
The addition of a pro hop button and the separation of the shoot and dunk buttons would make the game all the better, but even without those features, ESPN NBA Basketball is still overall the best playing basketball game this season. For the first time, basketball fans have an excuse to be playing a game at four in the morning. It's 24/7, the life of a baller.
Reviewed by Hilary Goldstein
28 September 2004
ESPN NBA 2K5 isn't a horrible game by any means, but it's probably Sega's weakest sports game this year. On the surface it looks fine. It plays decently and if you know how to use IsoMotion2, you can definitely enjoy playing offense. There's a lot of fine-tuning needed and it seems pretty clear this game really shouldn't be shipping quite so soon. I just couldn't possibly play any more of the Association. It's not bad, it just isn't great and some of the AI gaffs began to really get on my nerves over time. However, the 24/7 mode is refreshing, even after playing a lot last year.">Reviewed by Hilary Goldstein
28 September 2004
ESPN NBA 2K5 isn't a horrible game by any means, but it's probably Sega's weakest sports game this year. On the surface it looks fine. It plays decently and if you know how to use IsoMotion2, you can definitely enjoy playing offense. There's a lot of fine-tuning needed and it seems pretty clear this game really shouldn't be shipping quite so soon. I just couldn't possibly play any more of the Association. It's not bad, it just isn't great and some of the AI gaffs began to really get on my nerves over time. However, the 24/7 mode is refreshing, even after playing a lot last year.
Reviewed by Craig Beridon
26 September 2005
Graphically, this is a top notch sports title. Players all look identical to their real life counterparts, and at times, 2K6 can be the smoothest, most realistic hoops game on store shelves. With the loss of the NFL series, 2K and Visual Concepts seemed to have more time to definitively enhance NBA, but the gameplay improvements were only moderate. One-on-one and street competitions are more enjoyable than the full court 5 on 5 league games, but any fan of console hoops should enjoy this one.">Reviewed by Craig Beridon
26 September 2005
Graphically, this is a top notch sports title. Players all look identical to their real life counterparts, and at times, 2K6 can be the smoothest, most realistic hoops game on store shelves. With the loss of the NFL series, 2K and Visual Concepts seemed to have more time to definitively enhance NBA, but the gameplay improvements were only moderate. One-on-one and street competitions are more enjoyable than the full court 5 on 5 league games, but any fan of console hoops should enjoy this one.
Reviewed by Jason Allen
27 September 2006
I'm happy with how this game turned out. I saw some weird things like arms passing through players, and some weird things happening with the animations at times (odd collision issues) but overall, the game plays quite well. It's not hugely different from what we saw last year, but the advancements that were made were solid enough. NBA fans that own current gen consoles can hold out a little longer before they upgrade. NBA 2K7 on Xbox gives nice bang for $30 bucks.">Reviewed by Jason Allen
27 September 2006
I'm happy with how this game turned out. I saw some weird things like arms passing through players, and some weird things happening with the animations at times (odd collision issues) but overall, the game plays quite well. It's not hugely different from what we saw last year, but the advancements that were made were solid enough. NBA fans that own current gen consoles can hold out a little longer before they upgrade. NBA 2K7 on Xbox gives nice bang for $30 bucks.
Reviewed by Hilary Goldstein
2 October 2007
In many ways, NBA 2K8 is an improved game on the court. But there are a lot of minor issues that really drag it down. Over the course of my first dozen games, I was in love. But as the season wore on, the issues began piling up to a point that it became a source of frustration. The Lock-on D gaff is inexcusable and the lackluster defensive AI allows decent players to tear it up on offense. Jason Williams should not be dropping 30 points a game. Yet he won the MVP in year two of my franchise. Still, any hoops fan should give NBA 2K8 a look. It's certainly the best basketball game on any system this year. The Association is a solid franchise mode and, if VC can iron out its AI and gameplay issues, next year's model could be something very special.">Reviewed by Hilary Goldstein
2 October 2007
In many ways, NBA 2K8 is an improved game on the court. But there are a lot of minor issues that really drag it down. Over the course of my first dozen games, I was in love. But as the season wore on, the issues began piling up to a point that it became a source of frustration. The Lock-on D gaff is inexcusable and the lackluster defensive AI allows decent players to tear it up on offense. Jason Williams should not be dropping 30 points a game. Yet he won the MVP in year two of my franchise. Still, any hoops fan should give NBA 2K8 a look. It's certainly the best basketball game on any system this year. The Association is a solid franchise mode and, if VC can iron out its AI and gameplay issues, next year's model could be something very special.
Reviewed by Nate Ahearn
18 November 2008
NBA 2K9 is basketball game for the purists out there and has plenty for diehard basketball fans to enjoy. At a price of $19.99 I can almost forgive the absence of multiplayer, especially when you consider how much game there is still is to play. There are tidbits built in to appease casual fans, but there's no question that with things like Bird Years making their way into this year's game that 2K9 is made for aficionados. Even still, anyone who has seen a pro game will be able to find the similarities and the finite details that make NBA 2K9 the best game in town.">Reviewed by Nate Ahearn
18 November 2008
NBA 2K9 is basketball game for the purists out there and has plenty for diehard basketball fans to enjoy. At a price of $19.99 I can almost forgive the absence of multiplayer, especially when you consider how much game there is still is to play. There are tidbits built in to appease casual fans, but there's no question that with things like Bird Years making their way into this year's game that 2K9 is made for aficionados. Even still, anyone who has seen a pro game will be able to find the similarities and the finite details that make NBA 2K9 the best game in town.
Reviewed by Jeff Haynes
12 October 2010
Many sports gamers wonder what the differences from one year to the next will be to determine whether it's worth their cash. In this respect, NBA 2K10 is just barely above a roster update, with gameplay that resembles last year's title, practically no significant updates that improve the gameplay, and visuals that are clearly on the wrong side of outdated. While the basketball is still adequate, the arcade like play instead of simulation play may turn off some players, and the lack of vast improvements will make it hard to justify picking this one up over the current gen version, which is clearly the focus of 2K Sports.
">Reviewed by Jeff Haynes
12 October 2010
Many sports gamers wonder what the differences from one year to the next will be to determine whether it's worth their cash. In this respect, NBA 2K10 is just barely above a roster update, with gameplay that resembles last year's title, practically no significant updates that improve the gameplay, and visuals that are clearly on the wrong side of outdated. While the basketball is still adequate, the arcade like play instead of simulation play may turn off some players, and the lack of vast improvements will make it hard to justify picking this one up over the current gen version, which is clearly the focus of 2K Sports.
Reviewed by Hilary Goldstein
1 October 2010
NBA 2K11 is a love letter to basketball fans. If you don't follow hoops, a lot of the subtleties will be lost on you. And if you are looking for a loose, fun, crazy dunkfest experience like NBA Jam, you're going to get hosed. But if you are serious about basketball, this will fill a long-standing void in your hoops-loving heart. This is the NBA. No one else has come close to representing it in such great and accurate detail as this.">Reviewed by Hilary Goldstein
1 October 2010
NBA 2K11 is a love letter to basketball fans. If you don't follow hoops, a lot of the subtleties will be lost on you. And if you are looking for a loose, fun, crazy dunkfest experience like NBA Jam, you're going to get hosed. But if you are serious about basketball, this will fill a long-standing void in your hoops-loving heart. This is the NBA. No one else has come close to representing it in such great and accurate detail as this.
Reviewed by Jack Devries
30 September 2011
No sports game has ever made me this excited to play. Seriously it's all I've been able to think about for the last week. The realistic, challenging, gorgeously animated gameplay carries across a cornucopia of modes. Playing legends of the past, the stars of today, and my own personal NBA rookie are all different flavors of f#$%ing rad. Any one of these modes would be reason enough to purchase the game, but all of them together make for a game that any basketball fan has to pick up.">Reviewed by Jack Devries
30 September 2011
No sports game has ever made me this excited to play. Seriously it's all I've been able to think about for the last week. The realistic, challenging, gorgeously animated gameplay carries across a cornucopia of modes. Playing legends of the past, the stars of today, and my own personal NBA rookie are all different flavors of f#$%ing rad. Any one of these modes would be reason enough to purchase the game, but all of them together make for a game that any basketball fan has to pick up.
Reviewed by Ryan McCaffrey
28 September 2012
It’s both scary and exciting to think how good a game we might get if NBA 2K actually had a serious competitor pushing it to new heights. But even when left with a clear, unobstructed path to the basket, 2K13 throws down a monster jam with this year’s edition – probably the last one developed solely for this generation of consoles. It’s obviously the best hoops game out there, and it might even be the best sports game of all, period.">Reviewed by Ryan McCaffrey
28 September 2012
It’s both scary and exciting to think how good a game we might get if NBA 2K actually had a serious competitor pushing it to new heights. But even when left with a clear, unobstructed path to the basket, 2K13 throws down a monster jam with this year’s edition – probably the last one developed solely for this generation of consoles. It’s obviously the best hoops game out there, and it might even be the best sports game of all, period.
Reviewed by Ryan McCaffrey
12 November 2013
If you skipped current-gen this year, it’s a no-brainer: yes, yes, yes, yes. Next-gen NBA 2K14’s ambitious new modes each leave a bit to be desired, and for better and for worse, it plays almost identically to the game you may already own. But this edition is not only a smooth-flowing piece of pro basketball simulation, it’s also one of the few games that makes a true next-generation leap in visual fidelity. And when you’re dropping $400-$500 on a fresh piece of hardware, there’s something to be said for that.">Reviewed by Ryan McCaffrey
12 November 2013
If you skipped current-gen this year, it’s a no-brainer: yes, yes, yes, yes. Next-gen NBA 2K14’s ambitious new modes each leave a bit to be desired, and for better and for worse, it plays almost identically to the game you may already own. But this edition is not only a smooth-flowing piece of pro basketball simulation, it’s also one of the few games that makes a true next-generation leap in visual fidelity. And when you’re dropping $400-$500 on a fresh piece of hardware, there’s something to be said for that.
Reviewed by Mike Mitchell
9 October 2014
NBA 2K15 feels like a new-gen experience that 2K isn’t quite ready for. It’s an absolutely beautiful game to look at, and its controls are as tight as they’ve ever been. Some features are vastly improved from last year, and fortunately most of those continue to work when the servers don’t. It’s a shame that the best game modes won’t always be accessible, because this could’ve been an amazing basketball game. It still could be, if 2K can fix it. But if you buy it right now, you can expect a great offline experience.">Reviewed by Mike Mitchell
9 October 2014
NBA 2K15 feels like a new-gen experience that 2K isn’t quite ready for. It’s an absolutely beautiful game to look at, and its controls are as tight as they’ve ever been. Some features are vastly improved from last year, and fortunately most of those continue to work when the servers don’t. It’s a shame that the best game modes won’t always be accessible, because this could’ve been an amazing basketball game. It still could be, if 2K can fix it. But if you buy it right now, you can expect a great offline experience.
Reviewed by Mike Mitchell
29 September 2015
NBA 2K16 is one of the most complete packages I’ve ever seen. Developer Visual Concepts continues to raise the sports simulation bar by completely retooling its silky-smooth gameplay, adding brand-new physics systems, and refining its traditional game modes. Not all of the changes work as well as others, most notably the Spike Lee-themed MyCareer mode, but it doesn’t take away from the impressive overall package.
">Reviewed by Mike Mitchell
29 September 2015
NBA 2K16 is one of the most complete packages I’ve ever seen. Developer Visual Concepts continues to raise the sports simulation bar by completely retooling its silky-smooth gameplay, adding brand-new physics systems, and refining its traditional game modes. Not all of the changes work as well as others, most notably the Spike Lee-themed MyCareer mode, but it doesn’t take away from the impressive overall package.
