NBA 2K16

50%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,802 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
NBA 2K16 Game Cover
If you like basketball and the NBA, you’ll love NBA 2K16.
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"NBA 2K16" is a basketball simulation video game that offers a realistic NBA experience. It features improved gameplay mechanics, expanded NBA teams and players, and a variety of game modes, including MyCareer, MyTeam, and MyGM. The game also includes advanced visuals and commentary, providing an immersive basketball simulation experience.

Play Modes

Reviews

50%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,802 reviews
gameplay94 positive mentions
story98 negative mentions
  • story506 mentions

    The story in NBA 2K16, directed by Spike Lee, has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from players, who criticize it for being linear, clichéd, and poorly executed. Many feel that the narrative detracts from the gameplay experience, as it imposes a fixed storyline that doesn't allow for player customization or meaningful choices, leading to a lack of immersion. While some appreciate the attempt at a more narrative-driven mode, the execution has left many players frustrated, particularly regarding the forced racial elements and the overall quality of the writing.

    • “I'm playing this game in 2022 and I'm still amazed at how fun it is to play this game and how great the storytelling under MyCareer is.”
    • “Great Spike Lee story.”
    • “This game is one of the best NBA games I've played. I do recommend a controller; it sucks with keyboard and mouse. Graphics outstanding, great story, and full multiplayer.”
    • “The story is terrible for a start, would not recommend at all.”
    • “The mycareer story is unbelievably cringeworthy; how can there be so much cringe in one game mode?”
    • “The story mode sucks but I have always loved basketball.”
  • gameplay269 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth mechanics and enjoyable experience, particularly in modes like MyCareer and MyLeague. However, many users have criticized the clunky animations, AI issues, and bugs that detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration. While some believe it has improved from previous iterations, others feel it falls short of expectations, particularly in terms of online play and overall polish.

    • “Truly the last good 2K game, puts the newer editions to shame gameplay-wise.”
    • “The gameplay is tight, responsive, and challenging.”
    • “Nba 2K16 has incredible graphics, gameplay is generally very smooth, and server performance is vastly improved from recent years.”
    • “Gameplay is just not right; the AI is horrible, the computer always seems to make shots when needed, and defense just doesn't work. This is the most frustrating game I have played in years. I loved the older versions, but this is not worth $60, maybe $5 or free.”
    • “The gameplay is mediocre and there's a lot that needs fixing. The mechanics of the game could have been much more streamlined, and the gameplay itself seems pretty decent but until then do not buy.”
    • “The gameplay is overly complicated, the cutscenes are out of control, and the storyline for mycareer mode is terrible. Players move less like people and more like out-of-control 18-wheelers; the passing mechanics are horrible, and play-calling is tedious and unrewarding.”
  • graphics195 mentions

    The graphics in this game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the improvements over previous installments, particularly in realism and detail, while others criticize issues like lag, animation bugs, and subpar facial graphics. Overall, players generally agree that the visuals are a highlight, showcasing stunning designs and lifelike player representations, but some express disappointment in performance and optimization, especially on lower-end systems.

    • “The graphics are gorgeous, gameplay is superb, and there are plenty of ways to interact with the physics.”
    • “The presentation is absolutely top notch, the graphics are outstanding, and the game does a great job at emulating the NBA experience.”
    • “Nba 2k16 has incredible graphics, gameplay is generally very smooth, and server performance is vastly improved from recent years.”
    • “This game immediately let me down as the gameplay was clunky and the graphics were laughably bad.”
    • “I expected the graphics to be a lot better, but they are actually pretty bad; it doesn't run in 1080p which bothers me because there is a lot of pixel work you can see.”
    • “The graphics are definitely an upgrade from 2k15, but the gameplay mechanics and the graphics are much better than earlier games and by that, I'm impressed.”
  • optimization93 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, crashes, and poor server connectivity, particularly on PC. While some players noted minor improvements through community fixes, the general consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from its otherwise promising features. Overall, players are urging developers to prioritize optimization updates to enhance gameplay stability and performance.

    • “The game flows very well and is very well optimized.”
    • “I would also like to add that this game is optimized to the teeth.”
    • “Nba 2k16 has incredible graphics, gameplay is generally very smooth, and server performance is vastly improved from recent years.”
    • “Multiplayer sucks, they don't do anything about cheaters, and the servers are terribly optimized.”
    • “This game crashes every 2 seconds; it's one of the worst games I've ever played, so terribly optimized and a waste of money.”
    • “The optimization for PC was terrible; I cannot recommend it.”
  • stability74 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting numerous glitches, bugs, and performance issues that significantly detract from the overall experience. Many players experience frequent crashes, frame rate drops, and unresponsive gameplay, particularly in online modes, leading to frustration and disappointment. Despite some positive gameplay mechanics, the persistent technical problems suggest a lack of adequate support and updates from the developers.

    • “If it runs great for you, I'd recommend it.”
    • “The game has been incredibly stable, with no crashes or major bugs.”
    • “I've played for hours without any issues; the stability is impressive.”
    • “The game is full of bugs and game-breaking glitches.”
    • “The game just feels broken half the time; players don't behave properly, random fouls and calls, which make the career mode even worse when you are 'graded' on these glitches.”
    • “It's just not polished; plenty of glitches and annoying issues are plaguing the experience.”
  • music52 mentions

    The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising the diverse and engaging soundtrack that features popular artists across various genres, particularly hip-hop and rap. However, some users have expressed frustration over the inability to adjust music settings, occasional audio issues, and the censorship of explicit tracks. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally well-regarded, it is marred by technical flaws and personal preferences regarding music selection.

    • “One of the greatest soundtracks put together in a 2K game, or any game, period.”
    • “The curated soundtrack is full of excellent, atmosphere-building selections.”
    • “The music is the best I have heard yet, finally landing on many good & popular tracks.”
    • “This game is overall nice but why on earth can't I turn on any music in the game?”
    • “Everything is fine except the music is trash.”
    • “The playlist is so bad that I think the songs were chosen by a teenager with Beats by Dr. Dre headphones who thinks Kanye West is the greatest ever.”
  • monetization28 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, heavily relying on microtransactions that are deemed necessary to fully enjoy the experience. Players express frustration over the freemium-inspired online trading card system and the excessive advertisements, which detract from gameplay and immersion. Many reviewers advocate for boycotting such practices, highlighting that the focus on profit over quality undermines the overall gaming experience.

    • “As gamers, we have to come together if we want to stop these actions by boycotting microtransactions and games that seek to make microtransactions necessary to fully enjoy the game.”
    • “With 2K15, 2K introduced VC to the game. You earn VC by playing matches, be it online, MyCareer, MyPark, or whatever, which you can invest in shoes, jerseys, shorts, or use in the MyTeam mode. While you can earn them, you can also buy them with real money, and 2K this year made sure you can't get enough VC without paying for them.”
    • “But I'm not here to support VCs or microtransactions, because they truly make or break a game.”
    • “This game feels like the biggest cash grab yet, and that's saying a lot given the antics of last year's game.”
    • “They care more about milking people for money from microtransactions than their actual game.”
  • grinding16 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and unrewarding, with many players expressing frustration over the pay-to-win elements that exacerbate the experience. Players find the process of earning in-game currency (VC) and unlocking upgrades to be excessively time-consuming, often leading to a sense of stagnation and lack of meaningful progression. Overall, the grinding mechanics detract from the enjoyment of the game, making it feel more like a chore than a rewarding experience.

    • “This is a triple-A title with pay-to-win elements with absurd imbalances that make grinding unrewarding.”
    • “Nothing frustrates a gamer more than grinding and losing that progression, and having to do it all over again.”
    • “MyCareer is terrible; the first season is garbage. The high school and college experience comes off as annoying and tedious since none of it matters at all. There is no story that changes; it's the same thing every time, so after you've made your first player, it's just annoying to go through it all over again to get to the NBA.”
  • humor13 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding amusement in both intentional comedic elements, like the TNT studio crew's banter, and unintentional glitches that lead to absurd situations. While some aspects, such as the game's design choices and bugs, can be hilariously frustrating, others evoke laughter through their sheer ridiculousness, like the disparity in player performance and rewards. Overall, the humor is often derived from the game's imperfections and the absurdity of certain mechanics.

    • “While many things are not perfect and I've encountered numerous bugs, both hilarious and infuriating, I would recommend this game over any of the newer 2K installments.”
    • “The TNT studio crew (Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith - no Charles Barkley, sadly) is usually interesting and funny, especially Shaq.”
    • “Oh - and it's pretty hilarious to have my own shoe after half a season making 8 PPG coming off the bench.”
    • “What's not funny is only being able to play 8 games your rookie season and being stuck at 55 overall no matter what you've done. I guess that's a product of my character selection being a 5'8" point guard, even though I averaged 25+ points.”
    • “Funny bugs.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the MyCareer storyline for its ability to evoke genuine feelings and even tears, while others criticize it for being overly dramatic and filled with cringe-worthy moments. Many users feel that the emotional turmoil experienced by their players adds depth to the gameplay, although the mechanics surrounding player emotions can be frustrating and monetized. Overall, the game offers a strong narrative that resonates with some, but detracts from the experience for others.

    • “This game is great, especially the MyCareer storyline; it really got me emotionally.”
    • “MyCareer this year has given me the most emotional turmoil ever.”
    • “I love it! I just love it! Great game; the MyCareer made me cry, not because it was bad, but because the story was sad.”
    • “The Spike Lee storyline is just a colossal waste of time. I just want to create a player and start my rookie season. I don't care about the boring story or the corny acting; it ruins the first season by not letting you develop until your second season.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters feels forced and unconvincing, making it hard to connect with the story.”
    • “I expected a more engaging narrative, but the emotional moments fell flat and felt more like a chore than an experience.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the realistic NBA ambiance, enhanced graphics, and engaging soundtrack, others criticize the lack of a vibrant park environment and persistent issues with cheating. The pregame and postgame shows, along with player interviews, contribute positively to the overall experience, but some feel that the promised improvements have not significantly impacted gameplay.

    • “The curated soundtrack is full of excellent, atmosphere-building selections.”
    • “The environment and atmosphere is a massive improvement.”
    • “There are also lots of player interviews which helps create the atmosphere that you're watching a live TV broadcast.”
    • “Very bad career, very bad online, no atmosphere in the park, many cheaters and scripts.”
    • “I do not want to look at the atmosphere of the game or any of that nonsense.”
    • “There are also lots of player interviews which helps the atmosphere that you're watching a live TV broadcast.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Players highlight that the replayability of the game is significantly enhanced by engaging mechanics and modes like MyCareer and MyGM, which encourage multiple seasons of play. However, there are mixed feelings about the overall experience, with some expressing disappointment in the game's execution compared to previous versions.

    • “Great mechanics on and off the court, presentation, and the replayability (by that I mean the fun that comes out of playing multiple seasons in MyCareer/MyGM modes) make it one of my favorite games ever.”
    • “I always figured that MyCareer gives the game replay value.”
    • “As for the other modes, I guess they're better than 2K15, but judge it like a salad and my career was like the dressing. I always figured that MyCareer gives the game replay value... such a sad day in PC gaming history. What a disappointment!”
    • “The lack of meaningful content in the game makes it hard to find reasons to replay it. Once you've experienced everything, there's little incentive to dive back in.”
    • “After completing the main story, I found myself with no motivation to replay the game. The choices felt superficial, and the outcomes didn't change enough to warrant another playthrough.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally seen as predictable, with only minimal growth for some characters, though players do find themselves sympathizing with a few of them.

    • “The character development, while somewhat predictable, allows you to genuinely sympathize with several characters.”
    • “The character development, which is fairly predictable, does occur and you at least sympathize with some of the characters.”
    • “There is only a tiny bit of character development.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

87% average critic score

Buy NBA 2K16

Play time

75hMedian play time
149hAverage play time
27-150hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs

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