NBA 2K24

NBA 2K24 scores big with gameplay, but its microtransaction tactics feel like a costly turnover.

Visual Concepts continues to provide the most authentic simulation in sports gaming, but the in-game economy is on a fast break to the bottom.

Following the innovative and pleasantly surprising NBA 2K23, I expected Visual Concepts to build upon its success and introduce even more improvements with its latest entry in the long-running basketball series. But instead of mirroring the Black Mamba's gradual rise to permanent relevancy, NBA 2K24 sadly feels like a stop-gap – a quick hit to temporarily satisfy diehard fans. If this continues, the series could veer closer to a forgettable imitation of Kobe's signature move: a fadeaway into obscurity.

There's no doubt NBA 2K24 is the best presented sports game on the market, and it's also arguably the most complete, with a dizzying selection of modes and features to accommodate all playstyles and tastes. But an insidious overreliance on microtransactions and player retention yet again detracts from the MyCAREER mode, which to its credit feels much more focused this year. There's still a lot to like about this game, and depending on which modes you enjoy, you may never have to interact with the nefarious aspects at all. But it does sour what is otherwise an enjoyable game.

NBA 2K24 is less a continuation of what made the series good on Switch and more a downgrade of what has come before it. Even with how smoothly this one plays on the console, with some clean animations and a sprinkling of improvements to MyTeam being the real MVPs, all of this is overshadowed by just how watered-down this year's entry feels. With none of the new game modes making the jump to Switch apart from the disappointing Mamba Moments, a severely lessened MyCareer and a model that continues to be plagued by microtransactions and long load times, the 2K franchise on Switch has never needed more of a boost. If you are after a basketball game on the go, last year's offering is a much better option.

NBA 2K24 doesn’t feel like the work of a team that’s hungry as a majority of the game’s modes and features aren’t much of a step up over last year. It’s a shame, because the on-court action, brought to new life by innovative ProPlay animation tech, is more accomplished than ever and MyCareer actually makes some welcome changes amid all the microtransactions. NBA 2K24 delivers plenty of polished roundball fun, but some of the choices the game’s developers made following last year’s excellent entry make me question their coaching.

After the large strides last year, the minimal announcements for updates to this year's game raised a red flag.

NBA 2K24 offers an exceptional basketball gaming experience. It's great to see improved animations and gameplay, but the overall experience is hampered by tedious microtransactions that can hinder player progression and enjoyment. If you're not heavily invested in online play or MyTeam mode, you can easily stick with last year's edition. However, if you're willing to dive into the realm of microtransactions and intense online matches, don't hesitate to give NBA 2K24 a shot.

NBA 2K24 continues to do what it has done best in recent years – throwing in monetization elements everywhere. Even though it is an excellent basketball simulation, the need to spend extra money for smooth gameplay makes the game hard to recommend. The multiplayer game is just a big pay-to-win.

It's hard to be picky when you love basketball and the NBA, and are a regular on NBA 2K's virtual floor. This new edition maintains the same rhythm as its predecessors, with a taste for the demanding and the realistic, reinforced by a few good new features, such as the simplified mode for My NBA, the arrival of the salary cap in MyTeam and significant gameplay improvements.