Once again I find myself picking up a yearly copy of NBA 2K and 2K23 isn’t any different. I ask myself “How is it going to be different than the last?”. After putting in over 48 hours of gameplay, I can distinctly say that it’s more or less of the same.
In comparison to NBA 2K23’s competition Madden 23, it definitely has tried to do more for the community by adding a few new features and changing up game mechanics from past years. However, it doesn’t excuse the fact that the game is generally a copy and paste of last year’s edition. The same complaints that I’ve had during my NBA 2K22 review have made a recurrence with even more to pile on top of it.
For starters, NBA 2K23 has changed the way jump shots work this year. In 2K22, it was very easy to make shots as it felt like everything went in regardless if you had badges or not. To remedy this, 2K has decided to significantly nerf shooting this year as your shots no longer go in if you don’t shoot an excellent shot (Greens). I’m not completely against this change, but I would like the percentage of normal shots going in to be a little higher. This causes a major skill gap within the game as some players still find themselves trying to get used to this change. Personally, I’m still trying to adjust, but it hasn’t been to the point where I find the game unplayable. The only time it becomes a pain is when you play online, but we can get into that later.
Gamemode-wise, everything is basically the same. If you’re someone that just wants to pay $70 to play a pick-up game with friends and to just vibe out then you’ll have everything you want. The PlayNow mode has not been touched in the slightest and neither has MyTeam. Similar to Madden’s Ultimate Team, it’s a money-hungry game mode that begs you to open your wallet in order for you to have a good set of players. GM Mode is boring to me as I rather play basketball than run a team.
The one feature that I do find cool is being able to create a WNBA MyPlayer and play throughout the league. I was disappointed that it doesn’t play out similarly to MyCareer as it only lets you play through a season and not against other players.
The Jordan challenges are extremely fun and I’m glad that they were brought back. It’s nice to be able to play as Jordan through his rise to stardom in the NBA.
You can tell that MyCareer is 2K’s bread and butter game mode as it receives the most attention out of the others. One of the new features I’m in love with is the new build creation system. What I enjoy most about it is it really has you sacrificing certain skills/badges for others. For example, if you want to put all of your attribute points into 3-point shooting then you would have to be poor in areas such as defense or lacking in the strength department. You also need a certain amount of points to unlock certain types of badges and their rarities as well. There is no such thing as a perfect build in 2K23 and that’s what I love about it. Every build has its strengths and weaknesses and it’s up to you to utilize it.
The story in NBA 2K has been lacking for a while now and this year is no exception. In fact, it took one of my biggest gripes about last year’s and doubles down on it. When I play MyCareer I expect to play basketball, however, that’s not the case this year. 2K cracked down on making MyCareer a giant ad-filled RPG.
If you want to play your next NBA game, 90% of the time the game you have to complete a quest first. The quest itself has nothing to do with basketball. You’ll get quests like advertising for a hot dog shop, skateboarding around The City, and even doing TikTok Dances. This is downright silly as I don’t even get to play basketball, which is what the game is about. It’s all just advertising for certain brands and products along with having to complete quests for a very lackluster story.
The story itself is nothing memorable as it’s your typical cliche “You vs Your rival” and it gets old fast. Not to mention characters such as your rival Shep Owens and his lackeys made me want to skip every cutscene they appeared in. The only redemption that the story has is celebrity appearances such as J.Cole and Dr. Disrespect, but they couldn’t save it.
I say this every single year and I have to say it again: NBA 2K23 is a pay-to-win game. If you want to outperform other players online you need to spend some money on VC. You can say that it’s optional all you want, but with the game having a skill gap now, you won’t have fun being stuck at a 70 overall. Not only that but NBA 2K23 has seen an inflation in the price of items and upgrades in VC. A single backpack costs over 20,000 VC which is extremely ridiculous. Considering that in order to go up one overall it costs you the same amount. You’re left to choose between whether you want clothes or attributes since you can’t have both.
An addition that I do like is that each player is a part of a faction in The City. Affiliation points can be earned for each faction by winning games whether that’d be on the blacktop, in the REC, or any online game. Certain events will also come up where they compete with one another to see who comes out on top.
Online matches themselves are filled with latency issues which can severely affect your jump shot, which is bad considering that they need to be perfect if you intend on scoring. It doesn’t feel that the game has skill-based matchmaking as I’ll find myself in lobbies with players who are a 90+ overall along with a few 99s as well.
NBA 2K23 is fun when it finally lets you play basketball, but compared to last year it feels worse. Sure the graphics have a new coat of paint on them and the scenery is beautiful with murals such as the late great Kobe Bryant and the BLM movement, but it still feels the exact same. This time around it’s more annoying and tedious just to play the game in order to level up. I can tell you right now that 2K isn’t going to change its ways in regards to microtransactions and the cost of items within MyCareer.
Conclusion
If you ask me, if you’re not willing to play MyCareer or even MyTeam, then save your money as NBA 2K23 is not worth it in the long run. You’ll just end up spending more money than you initially thought you would while potentially playing anything but basketball.
This game was tested and reviewed on Xbox Series X/S. All of the opinions and insights here are subject to that version. Game provided by publisher.
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FAQs
Does Xbox series S have NBA 2K22? ›
Buy NBA 2K22 for Xbox Series X|S | Xbox.
What's the difference between NBA 2K22 Anniversary Edition? ›There's the NBA 2K22 standard edition which features Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic on the cover. Doncic is also on the cover of the Cross-Gen Digital Bundle. There's the NBA 2K22 NBA 75th Anniversary Edition which features three legends on the cover: Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
What does NBA 2K22 Anniversary Edition include? ›The NBA 2K22 NBA 75th Anniversary Edition includes:
Sapphire Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Durant MyTEAM Cards. 22 MyTEAM Promo Packs (Receive 10 at launch, then 3 per week for 4 weeks) Diamond Jordan Shoe MyTEAM card. Coach Card MyTEAM Pack.
A: NBA 2K22 will be available on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as PlayStation®4, PlayStation®4 Pro, Xbox One, Xbox One X, Nintendo Switch, and Steam for PC.
Is Xbox series s Next Gen 2K23? ›A: NBA 2K23 will be available on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as PlayStation®4, PlayStation®4 Pro, Xbox One, Xbox One X, Xbox One S, Nintendo Switch and Steam for PC.
How much will 2K23 cost? ›NBA 2K23 release date and price
NBA 2K23 will be released on September 9. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of the game cost $70, while the Xbox One, PS4, Switch, and PC versions cost $60. You can preorder the game now through all major retailers.
The legendary Michael Jordan is featured on the cover of the NBA 2K23 Michael Jordan Edition. This includes dual-gen access of the game on each console generation within the same console family. It comes with 100K Virtual Currency in addition to the MyTEAM and MyCAREER content included in the Digital Deluxe Edition.
What comes with Champions 2K23? ›- 12-Month NBA League Pass subscription.
- 100,000 Virtual Currency.
- 10,000 MyTEAM Points.
- 10 MyTEAM Tokens.
- Sapphire Devin Booker and Ruby Michael Jordan MyTEAM Cards.
- 23 MyTEAM Promo Packs (Receive 10 at launch plus an Amethyst topper pack, then 2 per week for 6 weeks)
The 75th Anniversary version of 2k was definitely wort the money. It's amazing how realistic the players are in this game. The player selection that you have on this version is incredible.
Who's on the cover of NBA 2K23? ›With J. Cole's big reveal, NBA 2K23 now features Michael Jordan, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi and Devin Booker as its official cover stars.
Is 2K22 current gen worth it? ›
It's good. And if you never plan on getting a current gen console, I'd recommend picking it up. It's a better all-around game than last year's version. NBA 2K22 is a solid entry into the series and it does enough right — even on last gen — to merit the upgrade for serious fans.
Is 2K23 cross-platform? ›Does NBA 2K23 support crossplay multiplayer across platforms? As of writing, NBA 2K23 does not come packed with cross-platform play options. Thus, PlayStation players can't challenge their friends on Xbox to a game of one-on-one.
Will 2K23 be on game pass? ›NBA 2K23 is on Xbox Game Pass and is currently available for purchase. NBA 2K23 Standard Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition, and Michael Jordan Edition are available for pre-order. The Standard Edition costs $69.99 for Xbox Series X|S and $59.99 for Xbox One.
Can you transfer VC to another player 2K22? ›Unfortunately the answer is no, you cannot transfer VC between versions of NBA 2K.
Is 2K23 Next Gen or current gen better? ›The graphics difference is fairly noticeable. NBA 2K23 runs at 1080p at 60 FPS in current gen, while it runs at 4K Ultra HD at 60 FPS in next gen, making the latter a way more accurate representation of players and courts.
How big is 2K23 on Xbox Series S? ›The game has been mostly well-received by fans as well, though there is one issue that some have taken issue with, and that is the game's absolutely gargantuan file size. The Xbox Series X version of NBA 2K23 asks for "about 152.02 GB" of storage space. On PS5, the file size is said to be around 143 GB in size.
Why is NBA 2K23 such a big file? ›Those who have pre-ordered the game can pre-load it on their consoles, and it has a truly whopping install size that might require players to clear some space! The new game has a number of features that are new to the franchise, perhaps explaining exactly why the install size is so large.
Is 2K23 going to be good? ›NBA 2K23 is as close as the series has ever come to emulating a real game of basketball. Of course, the retro modes are only this much fun to spend time with because the on-court gameplay is so good.
Is it worth it to buy NBA 2K23? ›NBA 2K23 is worth the price of admission almost entirely because of how good the new MyNBA Eras mode is. What makes NBA 2K23 the best installment in years is the well-needed gameplay changes, as well as the return of the enthralling Jordan Challenge mode.
How many people are playing 2K23? ›| Month | Avg. Players | Peak Players |
|---|---|---|
| Last 30 Days | 12,020.9 | 22,166 |
| September 2022 | 15,075.8 | 25,467 |
Where is the skill boost in 2K23? ›
How to Get Skill Boosts in NBA 2K23 | NBA 2K23 Next Gen Tutorial
How early can you play 2K23? ›If you pre-order a digital copy of NBA 2K23 you can pre-load the game and start playing as soon as the game unlocks on September 9th. If you live in a western time zone, you'll be able to start playing on September 8th.
Does NBA 2K23 Standard Edition have Jordan challenges? ›Alongside Michael Jordan gracing the Championship Edition and his own version of NBA 2K23, 2K has announced it is bringing back the athlete's challenges which were a key feature of NBA 2K11.
Do you need Xbox Live for 2K23? ›+Offers in-app purchases. Online multiplayer on console requires Xbox subscription (sold separately).
What do you get if you preorder 2K23? ›There are multiple editions for NBA 2K23 available for purchase, but regardless of which edition you go for, all players will receive the following pre-order bonuses: 5,000 Virtual Currency. 5,000 MyTEAM Points. 10 MyTEAM Promo Packs (delivered one a week)
What is the NBA 2K23 bonus content? ›These include MyCareer, MyTeam, and the returning fan-favorite Jordan Challenge. The 2K Franchise commonly has pre-order bonuses, and this year's entry is no different. These bonuses range from MyTeam points to the game's main source of currency, Virtual Currency (VC).
Is 2K23 champion edition worth it? ›The Championship Edition is a perfect pick for those who want to play the MyTEAM mode in NBA 2K23 and also want to catch all the live action from the world of NBA. It's still a good choice for those who just want to watch basketball as the combined price will cost less than a standalone annual subscription.
What is the difference between the Michael Jordan 2K23 edition? ›NBA 2K23 Michael Jordan Edition
This Edition offers almost all the same benefits as the Championship Edition, including 100,000 in virtual currency. However, the difference between the Michael Jordan Edition and the Championship Edition is that the former doesn't offer an NBA League Pass subscription.
Here are the other bonuses that come with the NBA 2K23 Michael Jordan edition: Full game. 100K VC. 10K MyTEAM Points.
Is NBA 2K22 free on Xbox Game Pass? ›It's time to take the game into your hands, play how you want to play, and step out onto the court of NBA 2K22. NBA 2K22 is now free through Xbox Game Pass on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
How many GB is 2K22 series S? ›
Steam's system requirements highlight that players will need 60 GB of HDD space to play WWE 2K22 on PC. For PlayStation consoles, the game will be roughly 47.229 GB, without the Day One patch. Similarly, WWE 2K22 on Xbox One will be around 43 GB, and it will be 49.15 GB Xbox Series X|S.
How much is NBA 2K22 Next-Gen? ›NBA 2K22 Next-gen Standard Edition - $69.99. NBA 2K22 Cross-gen Standard Edition - $79.99. NBA 2K22 75th Anniversary Edition - $99.99.
Is NBA 2K22 available on Game Pass? ›Chris Scullion
NBA 2K22, which was added to Game Pass in April to coincide with the NBA Playoffs, will also be removed. Joining it will be Two Point Hospital, the spiritual successor to Theme Hospital, which leaves Game Pass just as its own follow-up Two Point Campus arrives on the service.
NBA 2K23 is on Xbox Game Pass and is currently available for purchase. NBA 2K23 Standard Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition, and Michael Jordan Edition are available for pre-order. The Standard Edition costs $69.99 for Xbox Series X|S and $59.99 for Xbox One.
How long is 2K22 on Game Pass? ›NBA 2K22 joined Xbox Game Pass back in April, but it looks like its time in the service is now up. Users across social media appear to have received a notification from the Xbox Game Pass app that says NBA 2K22 will leave Xbox Game Pass on August 31st.
How long is 2K22 on Xbox Game Pass? ›NBA 2K22 is also heavily criticized for certain design decisions and its monetization. Regardless, basketball game fans should likely begin to plan around NBA 2K22 leaving the service as of August 31.
How many gigs is 2K23? ›On PS4, it's around 47 GB, and on Xbox One, it's around 95 GB, which is still quite large but preferable to its Xbox Series X counterpart. The Nintendo Switch version of NBA 2K23, meanwhile, clocks in at about 52 GB, which makes it one of the largest games on the platform in terms of file size.
Can you download 2K23? ›NBA 2K23 Preload
You get some nice bonuses and if you buy a digital copy, you can download the game early. This will allow you to play right when the game unlocks. While you can download the full game file on your console, you won't be able to start playing until the game unlocks on September 9th.
NBA 2K23 does not offer any kind of early access for players. There is no way to play before the game releases on September 9, 2022, on any platform.
Is it worth it to buy NBA 2K23? ›NBA 2K23 is worth the price of admission almost entirely because of how good the new MyNBA Eras mode is. What makes NBA 2K23 the best installment in years is the well-needed gameplay changes, as well as the return of the enthralling Jordan Challenge mode.
Is MyCareer different on Next Gen 2K23? ›
NBA 2K23 is stepping up the MyCareer experience on Next-Gen in a big way. 2K have announced new details for the MyCareer mode coming to the next-gen versions of NBA 2K23, including how your life off the court, will also impact how you are perceived.
What's the difference between NBA 2K23 current-gen and next gen? ›The main difference between the next-gen and current-gen versions of NBA 2K23 is, of course, the graphical fidelity. On PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, the game runs at 4k and a smooth 60 fps (at least, the actual games do). The replays run at 30 fps, but oh well.
What games are leaving Game Pass? ›- Games leaving Xbox Game Pass in September 2022.
- AI: The Somnium Files.
- Astria Ascending.
- Dandy Ace.
- Dirt 4.
- Dirt Rally.
- Going Under.
- Lemnis gate.
Mileage will vary based on connection speed, but a 100+GB download could take over an hour for some of you. For others, it could take multiple hours, especially if you're trying to download the game during peak hours.
Does NBA 2K23 have Game Pass on PS5? ›In the meantime, why not check out some other great games available on Xbox Game Pass? With such a massive library of games to choose from, you're sure to find something that's just right for you. NBA 2K23 is now available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.