NBA 2K25

NBA 2K25 radically improves gameplay and presents the most authentic NBA experience to date. It builds on systems introduced in last year’s version to give a more complete package for players to enjoy.

Starting at $25.99Buy now

Get on Steam

Get on Xbox Games Store

Get on PS Store

NBA 2K25 Standard Edition invites you to immerse in the world of basketball, celebrating its past, present, and future. Experience authentic gameplay, featuring updated rosters, improved graphics, and innovative game modes. Dive into the rich hoops culture, with a variety of soundtracks, commentaries, and cinematic storylines, making NBA 2K25 a must-play for basketball fans.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

63%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,360 reviews

gameplay152 positive mentions

optimization136 negative mentions

gameplay
425 mentions
36 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay in NBA 2K25 has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its smooth mechanics, improved dribbling, and realistic animations, marking a significant upgrade from previous iterations. However, issues such as inconsistent shooting mechanics, bugs, and a heavy reliance on microtransactions have detracted from the overall experience for some users. While the game offers engaging modes and visually impressive graphics, the online experience is marred by lag and connectivity problems, leading to a divided reception among players.
- “The gameplay is the best it’s ever been, which should be the most important thing to 2K players.”
- “NBA 2K25 elevates the basketball simulation genre with impressive advancements in realism, gameplay mechanics, and community-driven features.”
- “The gameplay feels smoother and more responsive than its predecessor, and the new-gen enhancements are definitely noticeable.”
- “The gameplay is significantly worse than previous years, particularly on defense.”
- “Gameplay is much improved from the previous releases, the graphics are about the same, and the bugs are less plenty, but the game is horribly riddled with micro-transactions which are almost forced upon you, otherwise you have to grind an unfathomably long time, with grinding akin to a mobile game, to get anywhere decent whether it be for a better OVR in MyCareer or for better players in MyTeam, it is honestly a joke.”
- “The gameplay feels overly grindy from the beginning and is plagued with bugs, such as players not being substituted, which makes everything even more tedious.”
graphics
312 mentions
33 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The graphics in NBA 2K25 have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals and next-gen enhancements that create a more immersive experience. However, several players have reported significant optimization issues, leading to poor performance and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, while the game showcases impressive graphical fidelity, it struggles with stability and optimization, leaving some players disappointed.
- “The graphics are stunning, capturing every detail of the players and arenas, which really brings the game to life.”
- “With next gen on PC, this game's graphics are insane and the gameplay feels smooth in comparison with other 2K games.”
- “The gameplay is smooth, the graphics are sharp, and there's a lot of risk/reward with your decisions on the court.”
- “Graphics are unrefined and ugly no matter how great your PC is.”
- “The graphics are horrible.”
- “The game is poorly optimized; currently, I'm running an RTX 3060 with 12GB of VRAM and it spikes my GPU to 98% on medium graphics.”
optimization
290 mentions
13 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
47 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from users, with many reporting severe stuttering, lagging, and frequent crashes, even on high-end PCs. Despite some players experiencing decent performance, the general consensus is that the game is poorly optimized for PC, leading to frustrating gameplay issues, particularly in online modes and resource-intensive areas like the city. Overall, players are urging developers to address these significant performance problems to enhance the gaming experience.
- “The game has major optimization and performance issues, but at the same time may have made the biggest changes to the NBA 2K franchise in quite some time.”
- “Well optimized and finally has the city.”
- “Taking all this into consideration, this is the best 2K game in a long time on PC; last time I had this much fun was on NBA 2K17... I don't have any performance issues whatsoever (RX 6700XT, i3-12100).”
- “The game is horribly optimized and relies on upscalers like FSR to run... even without FSR it still looks like a blurry mess thanks to all-time terrible anti-aliasing.”
- “This game is so bad on PC, I can't play without stuttering, lagging, and freezing. I've tried so many different settings and watched plenty of YouTube videos to fix it, and it doesn't change.”
- “Worst performing game I've ever experienced, always jittering, stuttering, and lagging. This is a global issue and it is very poorly optimized and overheats your PC.”
monetization
130 mentions
5 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
36 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy in NBA 2K25 has been widely criticized for being aggressive and predatory, with many players feeling that it prioritizes microtransactions over gameplay quality. Users report a heavy reliance on in-game purchases for progression, often leading to a "pay-to-win" environment, and express frustration over the intrusive ads and constant push for spending money. While some enjoy the core gameplay, the overwhelming focus on monetization detracts significantly from the overall experience.
- “The gameplay is smooth and the graphics are impressive, but the progression system and microtransactions feel overly grindy.”
- “Overall, if you can look past the aggressive monetization, this is a huge leap forward for the series on PC, and I'm excited to see how they build on it next year.”
- “Microtransactions are hard to avoid, but overall, NBA 2K25 feels like the best version in years.”
- “Pretty decent 2K, but as usual, 2K's monetization strategy is aggressive and predatory.”
- “This game uses every trick in the book to manipulate you to spend on microtransactions.”
- “Unfortunately, the microtransactions are more aggressive than last year, potentially providing an unfair advantage to those who spend money on online game modes.”
story
125 mentions
19 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the MyCareer mode offers some engaging elements and quests, it often feels superficial and repetitive compared to previous installments. Critics highlight the overwhelming number of side quests and microtransactions that detract from the overall experience, leading to a sense of frustration rather than immersion. Overall, while some appreciate the updates and integration of real-world players, many feel the narrative lacks depth and coherence, making it less compelling than earlier versions.
- “I love how we can play as my player in myCareer; the good background story gives me a boost.”
- “Nba 2k25 stands out as one of the best installments in the series, featuring a compelling storyline that differentiates it from previous versions.”
- “The revamped story is grounded and feels like a glimpse behind the scenes, unlike every experience before.”
- “The mycareer story isn't as great as it used to be back when it had shelled out storylines.”
- “The storyline is ok, it could have been better.”
- “Mycareer is the same old story, with less of a story.”
stability
109 mentions
7 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and frequent crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players have spent more time troubleshooting issues than actually playing, leading to a frustrating experience overall. While some improvements in performance and graphics have been noted, the persistent technical problems overshadow these advancements, making the game feel rushed and poorly optimized.
- “Runs great on the deck.”
- “The game runs great online and off; most negativity in the reviews will be about monetization.”
- “Looks great, runs great, and is 21:9 ultrawide supported.”
- “The time reported as gameplay was actually spent troubleshooting issues not engaging with the game itself.”
- “From crashes during matches to glitches in animations, the game feels like it was rushed out the door without proper quality control.”
- “This game is a buggy mess that is full of predatory micro-transactions.”
grinding
73 mentions
1 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring hundreds of hours to achieve meaningful progress without spending real money on microtransactions. Many players feel that the rewards for grinding are insufficient, leading to a sense of frustration and a perception that the game is designed to push players towards purchasing in-game currency. While some enjoy the grind as a way to extend gameplay, the overwhelming sentiment is that it detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than a fun basketball game.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The feeling of pay to win is strong in this game; if you plan on grinding out 300+ hours to try to get to 99 overall, I wouldn't because the starting point you're given in this game is ridiculous compared to previous 2Ks.”
- “Grinding will take forever because you get almost nothing.”
- “Imagine paying seventy dollars and then having to spend extra real-life money in order to level up your offline story mode character unless you want to go through hours upon hours of insanely slow grinding made specifically to deter you and make you spend money like a gacha mobile game would.”
music
21 mentions
43 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The music in NBA 2K25 receives mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the lively soundtrack and its ability to enhance the gaming experience, while others find the music library lacking and repetitive. Although there are standout tracks, many users express disappointment with the overall selection and wish for more nostalgic songs from previous installments. The option to customize the playlist and mute the music is appreciated, but the soundtrack's inconsistency leaves some players wanting more.
- “The sound is equally impressive, with a great soundtrack and lively commentary, though some lines from the announcers can get repetitive.”
- “The competition is fierce, the controls are responsive, and the soundtrack keeps you hyped throughout.”
- “Career mode is fun and just the overall presentation is great from the music to the announcers.”
- “The only soundtrack necessary for 2K25 is the autotune baby crying.”
- “I also did not much care for the music library as a whole.”
- “I only have selected like 15-20 songs that I am willing to listen to and after hearing them 3-4 times in a play session, I am done with all of them.”
humor
17 mentions
94 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of unintentional comedy and engaging moments, with players finding amusement in the game's absurdities, such as its technical issues and exaggerated character attributes. While some appreciate the funny interactions and graphics, many express frustration over the game's performance and monetization strategies, leading to a blend of laughter and disappointment. Overall, the humor seems to stem from both the game's flaws and its more entertaining aspects, creating a unique but often frustrating experience.
- “It was already on its way out, but it was hilarious, to be honest.”
- “The fact that they have the audacity to call this game 'next gen' is hilarious.”
- “Your physical attributes matter too; I've seen a 5'9 guard with 70 strength body a 6'5 guard that clearly had no strength while dribbling, and it was hilarious.”
- “I had a positive review for the game until I played a bit more. Don't buy this game; the servers are so awful it's not funny. If you like the thought of every single one of your jump shots having a different green window and dealing with the lag from the server, by all means, buy this $70 dumpster fire of a game.”
emotional
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with some players expressing frustration and disappointment, feeling scammed by the experience, while others find a personal connection through the grind of the offline modes, despite the lack of engaging narratives or character development. Overall, the emotional engagement varies significantly, with some players feeling alienated and others finding a sense of involvement in their NBA career.
- “Maybe if I write them a heartfelt poem about my love for the game... nah, who am I kidding?”
- “There will be no rookie showcase, no extending the contracts for multiple years scenario/cutscene, there will be no heartwarming or heart-wrenching stories, it's basically just you and your NBA career.”
- “It made me feel personally involved.”
replayability
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Replayability is considered strong due to diverse modes, regular updates, and events that enhance gameplay depth. However, concerns about the quality of generated draft classes may limit long-term replay value, particularly in offline modes.
- “Replayability is still solid due to the variety of modes, frequent updates, and events.”
- “These additions add depth and replayability to the game.”
- “They really need to fix generated draft classes if half of the offline modes rely on them to have any replay value beyond season 1.”
atmosphere
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is described as electric, enhanced by slick graphics and tight gameplay, with vibrant crowds and authentic sounds. However, a significant drawback is the lack of audience presence in arenas, particularly during crucial moments, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “The gameplay is tight, the graphics are slick, and the atmosphere is electric.”
- “The courtside atmosphere is electric, with roaring crowds and the familiar sounds of sneakers squeaking on the hardwood.”
- “All that said though, coming from 22 is a massive leap in gameplay and atmosphere.”
- “Major thing that messes up atmosphere is that for some reason all the arenas are pretty much empty for 3 quarters and not filled with viewers even in clutch, it's weird as heck, hope we will get a fix for this...”