NBA 2K26 on PlayStation 5 continues Visual Concepts’ yearly tradition of refining and expanding one of the most successful sports franchises in gaming. Published by 2K, this latest entry makes its pitch around the ProPLAY technology, which translates actual NBA footage into on-court animations and movements. That promise of greater realism is immediately noticeable in the fluidity of dribbles, crossovers, and player spacing, giving matches a more authentic rhythm. It’s a strong foundation that helps the game feel alive, even if not every aspect of the package is equally polished.
The heart of the experience remains split across its flagship modes. MyCAREER once again lets you create and guide a rising star, and the streamlined City hub makes the grind toward NBA stardom more accessible than before. There’s still a heavy reliance on online play and progression systems, which may frustrate those who prefer a purer single-player journey, but the improved presentation and new story beats give the mode some fresh energy. MyTEAM, meanwhile, remains a double-edged sword: the sheer variety of cards, challenges, and customization options is impressive, but the reliance on microtransactions continues to cast a shadow over what is otherwise an addictive team-building experience.
On the court, NBA 2K26 delivers its best basketball yet. ProPLAY lends a tangible sense of weight to player animations, whether you’re cutting into the paint or launching a three-point shot. The new size-up mechanics add more nuance to one-on-one play, rewarding precision with satisfying blow-bys or step-backs. Defensive play feels sharper too, with more responsive controls allowing for better timing on blocks and steals. That said, the AI can still swing between overly passive and frustratingly aggressive, which occasionally breaks immersion.
Control responsiveness is a clear highlight, making dribbling, passing, and shooting more intuitive than ever. The learning curve for newcomers remains steep, however, as the game assumes a lot of familiarity with advanced mechanics. Veterans will appreciate the depth of options for customizing playstyles, but casual players mainly looking to play exhibition games may feel overwhelmed by the complexity of systems layered across different modes. This divide continues to be one of the series’ challenges – striking a balance between simulation depth and accessibility.
Presentation-wise, NBA 2K26 is a step forward. The visual fidelity of player models, arenas, and broadcast overlays adds to the sense of realism, with ProPLAY-enhanced animations standing out as a clear improvement over past entries. The soundtrack is energetic, blending mainstream tracks with rising artists, and commentary remains varied enough to avoid repetition during long sessions. Some visual hiccups and occasional clipping remind you this is still an iterative release, but the overall polish is among the best in the genre.
In the end, NBA 2K26 is both a showcase of how far sports simulations have come and a reminder of the baggage that weighs them down. On-court action has never felt better, thanks to ProPLAY and refined controls, and the presentation captures the spectacle of the NBA brilliantly. Yet, issues like persistent microtransactions in MyTEAM, AI inconsistencies, and a demanding learning curve prevent it from being a slam dunk for all players. For fans invested in the series, it’s another strong entry that keeps the franchise at the top of its game, but those hoping for a revolution may still be waiting.
Score: 8.2/10
Press Play Media 