NBA 2K24

Significantly more playable, accessible, and appealing than NBA 2K23, this is a fantastic basketball title that finally tried to do something different and mainly succeeds.

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"NBA 2K24 Black Mamba Edition" offers an immersive basketball experience with various in-game bonuses, such as VC, MyTEAM points, and player cards. The game features MyCAREER mode, MyTEAM for building your ultimate roster, and PLAY NOW to enjoy matches with NBA and WNBA teams. The game also includes "Mamba Moments" to relive Kobe Bryant's iconic performances.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

47%

Audience ScoreBased on 22,650 reviews

graphics141 positive mentions

story479 negative mentions

story
969 mentions
7 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
49 % negative mentions
The story aspect of NBA 2K24 has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, particularly regarding the MyCareer mode, which lacks any narrative or engaging storyline. Players are disappointed that they are thrown directly into NBA gameplay without the traditional story elements, such as character development, cutscenes, or meaningful progression, which were present in previous iterations. Many reviews express frustration over the absence of a storyline, deeming it a significant downgrade from earlier versions and a missed opportunity for immersion in the game.
- “NBA 2K24 continues to build on the narrative elements of MyCareer, offering players an opportunity to experience the rise of their created player through a series of engaging storylines and career milestones.”
- “The MyCareer mode returns with a compelling story-driven experience where you create your own player and navigate their journey from rookie to NBA superstar.”
- “As fans, we long for a MyCareer experience that truly captivates us, with rich storytelling and impactful decision-making.”
- “Mycareer has no story, you are thrown into the NBA right away as a 60 overall player.”
- “They literally took out the story mode in my career... and had the balls to raise the price to $70.”
- “The absence of a storyline has also had a detrimental impact on the game's overall immersion.”
gameplay
795 mentions
18 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The gameplay in NBA 2K24 has received mixed reviews, with many players noting improvements in mechanics such as shooting and dribbling, leading to a more fluid experience. However, numerous complaints highlight persistent bugs, unresponsive controls, and a lack of innovation compared to previous titles, resulting in a sense of stagnation. Overall, while some players find the gameplay enjoyable, many express frustration over technical issues and the game's reliance on microtransactions, making it feel less rewarding.
- “Building on its predecessors, the game introduces new features, refined mechanics, and updated rosters to bring the excitement of the NBA to players' screens.”
- “The gameplay mechanics have been refined, offering smoother and more responsive controls, which enhance the overall gaming experience.”
- “On the positive side, the gameplay in NBA 2K24 has seen improvements, making for a more enjoyable on-court experience.”
- “The gameplay is slow.”
- “The gameplay didn’t live up to my expectations, and I found the overall experience lacking.”
- “Gameplay feels bad, there are many bugs that were present in 2k23 as well.”
graphics
718 mentions
20 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The graphics in NBA 2K24 have received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the lack of significant improvements compared to previous installments. While some praise the game's realistic visuals and attention to detail, a substantial number of users criticize it for outdated graphics that feel more akin to last-gen titles, particularly on PC, where many feel cheated out of next-gen enhancements. Overall, the consensus suggests that the graphics are not up to par for a 2023 release, leading to frustration among long-time fans of the series.
- “NBA 2K24 continues to build on the strengths of the series with realistic graphics, improved gameplay mechanics, and engaging content.”
- “One of the highlights of NBA 2K24 is its stunning graphics and attention to detail.”
- “The game boasts stunning graphics that bring every player and arena to life, creating a highly realistic atmosphere that mirrors the excitement of real NBA games.”
- “The graphics didn't change a bit, there was nothing new or innovative about the series other than game features.”
- “I have 2k19 5 years later on a PC 3x as powerful and 0 change in graphics, maybe arguably worse graphics than 2k19. Refunding for $10 garbage game 5 years later looks exactly like the same game.”
- “This shouldn’t even be sold at full price on Steam, the graphics are somehow worse than they were 10+ years ago because they don’t 'feel' like it.”
stability
473 mentions
2 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The stability of NBA 2K24 has been heavily criticized, with players reporting a multitude of bugs, glitches, and frequent crashes that render the game nearly unplayable. Many users express frustration over persistent issues in various modes, particularly in MyCareer, where gameplay is often interrupted by freezing and unresponsive controls. Overall, the game's technical problems overshadow its potential enjoyment, leading to widespread disappointment among the community.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck!”
- “If you have a nice computer, the game runs great.”
- “Like really - I know it takes an extreme amount of effort from the programming team & there is no game that is bug-free - but this is NBA professional level after 10 seasons?”
- “In all of this, the game still runs poorly, with bugs, glitches, and just not fun to play at all, even though they have more than enough money to fix it and make their game at least enjoyable.”
- “Game crashes after launching and if I'm lucky enough to load up a game on MyTeam, it either sits at 99% and never loads or it lets me play the game and then freezes once the game is over, completely unplayable.”
- “The game is incredibly buggy and feels like a beta game, constantly crashing and filled with glitches that disrupt the overall experience.”
monetization
262 mentions
3 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
49 % negative mentions
The monetization model in NBA 2K24 has drawn widespread criticism for its aggressive reliance on microtransactions, which many players feel are essential to progress and enjoy the game. Users report that the game is designed to encourage spending, with in-game purchases often seen as predatory and exploitative, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment. This has resulted in a perception of the game as a blatant cash grab, with many players expressing disappointment over the lack of innovation and the overwhelming presence of ads and in-game purchases.
- “Although it offers an enjoyable basketball experience, the presence of microtransactions and limited innovation may affect its overall value for some players.”
- “While NBA 2K24 excels in almost every aspect, there's one area where many players, myself included, wish for improvement: in-game prices and microtransactions.”
- “One of the primary grievances within the NBA 2K24 community revolves around the pervasive presence of microtransactions and the exploitation of virtual currency.”
- “You pay 60 dollars for the old gen version of the game and you don't even get to make any progress without paying hundreds of dollars in microtransactions.”
- “It's a blatant cash grab that preys on the addictive tendencies of its player base, turning what should be a fun and rewarding experience into a soul-sucking grindfest.”
- “The game is littered with loot boxes, pay-to-win mechanics, and other predatory monetization schemes designed to squeeze every last penny out of unsuspecting players.”
grinding
136 mentions
1 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to invest hundreds of hours or spend money on virtual currency (VC) to progress meaningfully. Many users feel that the game is designed to push players towards a pay-to-win model, making it frustrating for those who prefer to grind without spending extra money. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a major detractor from the enjoyment of the game, with many players expressing that it detracts from the overall fun and engagement.
- “Grinding for VC is just way too hard and time consuming.”
- “You can't really progress without grinding like crazy or having to dump money to buy VC.”
- “Unlocking basic features and progressing in the game becomes a tedious and expensive task, creating a sense of frustration and unfairness.”
optimization
124 mentions
6 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
48 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, freezing, and low frame rates, particularly on PC. Many players feel that the game is poorly optimized for modern hardware, lacking next-gen graphical upgrades and suffering from numerous bugs and crashes. Overall, the consensus is that the game's optimization is subpar, making it frustrating and often unplayable for many users.
- “Let's start with the optimization, or lack thereof.”
- “I think the system that they created is very complex and should be optimized ASAP.”
- “It's basically a smoother, more optimized version of 2k21, because we're still on old-gen 3 years later on PC of all things.”
- “This game has some of the worst optimization I've ever encountered.”
- “From its abysmal optimization and outdated graphics to its shameless microtransactions and game-breaking bugs, there's simply nothing redeeming about this sorry excuse for a basketball game.”
- “It's clear that the game was released without thorough testing and optimization, resulting in a frustrating and unpolished product.”
music
50 mentions
16 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The game's music has received mixed reviews, with some praising its dynamic and diverse soundtrack that enhances the gaming experience, while others criticize it for featuring repetitive and low-quality tracks. Many players feel that the music selection lacks depth and often promotes negative themes, leading to a polarized reception. Overall, while some find the soundtrack energizing, a significant number of users express disappointment with its quality and variety.
- “The music selection adds energy and excitement to the gameplay.”
- “Furthermore, the game features a rich soundtrack and commentary, enhancing the overall immersion and making each game feel like a live broadcast.”
- “Edit: Westside Gunn is on the soundtrack, 10/10 classic, arguably the best game I've played in the last decade.”
- “Soundtrack is horrible.”
- “Almost all of the music is quite literal hot garbage made by artists with little to no real talent.”
- “What cracks me up is not only the fact they have to censor the lyrics so much in so many of the songs that at times they almost become instrumental versions.”
humor
44 mentions
95 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often described as unintentional, stemming from its numerous bugs, lack of support for the PC community, and the absurdity of its design choices. Many players find the game's shortcomings amusing, with comments highlighting the hilarity of the situation rather than genuine comedic content. Overall, while some aspects are genuinely funny, the prevailing sentiment is that the game's flaws provide more laughs than its intended humor.
- “Taking one look at the My Player stuff, I was laughing.”
- “You know, what's funny, the thing that had me cracking up all night long was the fact that I went through 20 years of everybody screaming to pass the ball and on the last night, they're like, 'don't pass it.' This has been absolutely beautiful, you guys.”
- “This game is so bad it's actually funny.”
- “Unfunny joke - ugly, unplayable, old, reheated piece of trash.”
emotional
31 mentions
94 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a significant emotional disconnect in the game, with many players expressing disappointment over the lack of depth and meaningful storytelling, particularly in the mycareer mode. Longtime fans feel heartbroken as the game has shifted focus from gameplay quality to graphical enhancements, leading to a sense of loss and frustration. Overall, the emotional investment that once characterized the series has diminished, leaving players feeling let down and disillusioned.
- “I've never written a game review ever, but this game made me feel like I needed to.”
- “This was heartbreaking.”
- “The MyCareer mode used to be a unique opportunity for players to become emotionally invested in their created character's story.”
replayability
15 mentions
20 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The game offers substantial replayability through diverse modes, new features, and storylines, allowing players to engage with content from various eras, including the 1980s. Online multiplayer modes further enhance replay value by enabling competitive play against others globally. However, some players express frustration over additional costs that may impact overall enjoyment and accessibility.
- “New features and storylines provide depth and replayability to the mode.”
- “The diverse modes provide plenty of content and opportunities for replayability.”
- “Additionally, the online multiplayer modes provide endless replay value, enabling players to test their skills against others from around the world.”
- “I can't speak on my league, but no eras sucks. It adds so much replayability to be able to start from all the way back in the 1980s, so it's probably only worth it if you really like the gameplay this year (again, can't really comment on that because I barely got to play).”
- “Every time I think I'm stingy, I remember that 2K asks for an extra $200 to make this game slightly more playable.”
- “Even that would be a little more playable.”
atmosphere
8 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly immersive, effectively capturing the essence of an actual NBA game through stunning graphics and realistic audio design, including court sounds and crowd reactions. Attention to detail in player animations and arena environments further enhances the overall experience, making players feel as though they are part of the excitement of a real game.
- “Each venue captures the atmosphere of an actual NBA game, contributing to the immersive experience.”
- “The game boasts stunning graphics that bring every player and arena to life, creating a highly realistic atmosphere that mirrors the excitement of real NBA games.”
- “The game's attention to detail, from player animations to arena atmospheres, contributes to its immersive experience.”
character development
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game is criticized for its lack of character development and customization, with reviewers noting the absence of engaging narratives such as rags-to-riches stories or rivalries. Overall, players feel that the characters are underdeveloped and fail to evolve throughout the game.
- “The game lacks customization and character development.”
- “There's no rags-to-riches tale, no rivalries, and certainly no character development.”