NBA 2K19 Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
4.8

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 153 Ratings

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  • Summary: NBA 2K celebrates 20 years of redefining what sports gaming can be. NBA 2K19 continues to push limits as it brings gaming one step closer to real-life basketball excitement and culture.

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NBA 2K19 - Soundtrack Curation Trailer
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Sep 12, 2018
    87
    The brand-new MyCareer mode makes NBA 2K19 still worth a try. Although NBA Live makes a progress this year, NBA 2K19 is way ahead of it. One-year interval surely can't bring any revolutionary changes, but 2K still gives us something interesting.
  2. Sep 11, 2018
    85
    NBA 2K19 has a better career system than previous entries in the franchise with improved defense mechanisms and more intelligent gameplay. Beside some deja-vu feelings about the content, it delivers a great experience.
  3. Oct 12, 2018
    85
    A highly stylized game with the intent to look pretty. However, all this glaze seems too superficial and 2K Sports seemed to prioritize the incorporation of micro-transactions instead of meaningful improvements and bug polishing. The best basketball sim is still enjoyable and the best out there but 2K Sports need to pick up their game and not become complacent.
  4. Sep 12, 2018
    80
    I consider my gripes with this game to be minor at best. I really didn’t know what to expect when I jumped into 2K19 for the first time, but I’m pleasantly surprised find it so enjoyable. I’m still not quite sure why the series garners so much hype every year, though. I wasn’t pulled in enough to become one of those fans, but I will admit it’s proven to be an overall fun and engaging experience nonetheless.
  5. Mar 11, 2019
    80
    Despite all the problems and controversy with micro transactions in the game (that I truly despise), underneath is an actual very good game of basketball. Improvements in the segments of gameplay, loading times, story quality are all delivered and all of that wanted me to play more and more of NBA2k19. But I’m still not paying for those extra coins.
  6. Oct 9, 2018
    65
    NBA 2K19 is a fun basketball game held back by unnecessary bells and whistles alongside intrusive microtransactions. The basketball is second-to-none and the players feel and look incredible. It is a true shame the game is shackled by microtransactions which make progression a grind both for MyTeam and your player.
  7. Nov 11, 2018
    64
    NBA 2K19 is a complete upgrade from 2K18 and therefore a top sports game. But Pay2Win, cheaters and technology quirks are extremely annoying.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 9 out of 13
  1. Sep 12, 2018
    10
    Very good game. The best sports sim I've ever played. I really enjoy GM mode and to see how far it's come over the last few games is reallyVery good game. The best sports sim I've ever played. I really enjoy GM mode and to see how far it's come over the last few games is really amazing. Those worried about micro transactions just don't play the online modes. Expand
  2. Sep 9, 2018
    10
    NBA 2k19 is actually a good basketball game, and I hated NBA 2k19. There's issues with every release so thankfully I haven't had any yet, butNBA 2k19 is actually a good basketball game, and I hated NBA 2k19. There's issues with every release so thankfully I haven't had any yet, but if you love cheese and just jacking up shots all day and not playing defence, your gonna hate NBA 2k19, because everyone hates playing with you probably.

    Everything's proportioned, everything, the animations are extremely smooth this year, the defensive controls are extremely beefed up this year, now your rewarded for good positioning with steals, at the cost of alot of fouls and gambles but the revamped post game alone is a treat to play with.

    The only frustration i've experienced has mostly come from the lack of knowing all the controls yet, the modes look really deep this year. Just experimenting with the GM modes, they have mentorships this year, which means on our team someone can teach another player up to 3 or their own badges. So Leonard can teach his defence and picket pocket to Valanciunas, while Lowry can teach his floor general and deep range shooting to Leonard etc.

    There's the odd glitch but nothing that really takes away from the gameplay as a whole. MyCareer could use an easier mode with way less VC earned or something, because it is somewhat difficult if your not a baller, but thats mostly because the game is so customizable it's hard to know how to set up the game how you want. You don't have to time layups this year if you don't want to, just jumpshots or post shots, the storyline is an actual dark side of the entertainment industry that breaks the gimmicky mold of last years game.

    While the face scan needs lots of light, it's worth it because you can customize your own face even further to whatever you want, really making things interesting. the Mypark level is now a giant square that looks great at night, haven't done alot of online yet. Online will change every month though so it's hard to say. Things feel more like you can choose your own destiny as opposed to being stuck in the square the 2k engine puts you in,.

    The graphics are top notch, and very efficient. Using my computer to play on my TV, it starts to feel like your actually in a basketball game. While the price tag is steep for this version, if you want a good character like early, i'm actually glad I spent over $100 on steam because this feels like how Assassin's Creed went with Origins and it's probably one of the coolest gaming experience's i've had yet, as I could never realistically put myself in a story in a game like this that looks so real.

    There will be plenty of reviews for the negative parts i'm sure, so i'm mostly going over the positive parts, for the 20th year, they've named the character AI after Allen Iverson, as well as basing the story on Andre Ingram from last year, introducing almost Boss characters as you fight your way to the NBA. The 100k VC you get gets you to about 75ish OVR depending on your build, but it's the right amount for your average rookie rating. Alot of things are free this year or cheaper than last, and the difficulty boosts make for balanced earnings. I chose a good team in the Raptors and less playing time knowing I can play alot better with better teammates, but you could also say choose Phili or LA and take more money. Or you could negotiate with the team, which could also piss them off if you get selfish.

    Best of all, it's possible to make 100% of wide open greens this year. You can play passing lanes, cut people off, it's actually hard to just block unless you have good position. The up on the right stick for shot contest is a little hard to get used to, but it's a fluctuating balance as opposed to the random chaotic nature that was 2k18.

    I would download the prelude and give it a try, it's free at least, and you can experience the game.
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  3. Sep 8, 2018
    9
    Surpassing my expectations, NBA 2K19 (PC) is a very well-rounded game, especially in comparison to the previous NBA 2k18. The new MyCareerSurpassing my expectations, NBA 2K19 (PC) is a very well-rounded game, especially in comparison to the previous NBA 2k18. The new MyCareer story is top-notch and is vastly improved over the other past attempts, as it introduces an amazing story of a wanna-be NBA all-star fighting his way through the G and D-leagues and tough situations to fulfill his NBA dreams. It has well-rounded character development and good set pieces that make it feel like more than just a gimmick. On the other side, MyPark and ProAM are better than ever. MyPark introduces new features and parks, as well as some new cosmetics and tools. On my PC, the game ran perfectly fine with my GTX 1060 3GB and i5 7400, despite the odd stutter here and there. This is a very solid addition the NBA 2K franchise and shows once again that Visual Concepts are capable of much more than yearly copy and pastes of the same game. Expand
  4. Aug 29, 2019
    2
    if you think nba 2k19 is awesome for the iPhone/iPad pc xbox one ps4 or switch well it is not! its awful don't you dare buy this **** and doif you think nba 2k19 is awesome for the iPhone/iPad pc xbox one ps4 or switch well it is not! its awful don't you dare buy this **** and do not buy 2k20 they are they worst trash game ever made stay away from this piece of trash. Expand
  5. Dec 26, 2018
    1
    Sry but It is trash. I play NBA games almost 15 years (both NBA Live and NBA 2K) and Im very dissappointed this year.

    You practicaly cant
    Sry but It is trash. I play NBA games almost 15 years (both NBA Live and NBA 2K) and Im very dissappointed this year.

    You practicaly cant hit open looks even with great players like Curry, Durant, James, etc.. AI of your players is totaly stupid. Opponents AI easily come under your basket and dunks while your players are standing and doing nothing.

    In offense It is actualy worse. Because your PF and C stay on the three point line doing nothing with the rest of your team, So if you dont play any action then they remain stationary which is total bullsh**.
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  6. May 2, 2019
    0
    Worst servers in gaming history. I got disconected for like 30 games in row and yes my net is fine i can play any other game online withoutWorst servers in gaming history. I got disconected for like 30 games in row and yes my net is fine i can play any other game online without any problems, its even worse that after every crash game keep saying me to check my connection even tho its perfectly fine and its their fault. They got so much money over years but greedy bastards refuse to invest some money in to servers Expand
  7. Sep 12, 2018
    0
    Welp, for some reason Metacritic deleted my user review for the PC version of NBA 2K19, so here it is again.

    After 2K18's debacle people
    Welp, for some reason Metacritic deleted my user review for the PC version of NBA 2K19, so here it is again.

    After 2K18's debacle people were hoping Take Two had learned their lesson. Unfortunately, the only gripe people made about last years game that 2K has listened to is that they made MyCareer cutscenes skippable. All the other complaints fell on deaf ears.

    Microtransactions are back again and just as blatant as ever. You won't get very far with your character unless you throw all your money at 2K to get that sweet, sweet VC (Virtual Currency to some, Virtual Cancer to most sane people). 2K has already tried stealth nerfing what XP you can get without paying extra, so be really careful of this.

    The MyCareer story is not as bad as last years. You start out in the CBA and end up in the G-League. Not gonna go any further than that to avoid spoilers but rest assured, there's nobody like B-Fresh in this one.

    Animations are all pretty much the same from last years, and the same glitches as a result.

    Playing Online on PC is still a hacker and cheater paradise. Apparently 2K doesn't believe in adding anti-cheat to PC.

    For those of us who only play single player, MyLeague is back and so are all of the issues it had last year. Since MyLeague isn't the money maker, I expect none of those to get fixed.

    All in all, this is just a $60-$100 roster update.

    Stealth nerfs to XP in MyCareer: https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA2k/comments/9f0zwm/whats_up_with_lowering_the_amount_of_experience/?sort=new

    And now stealth nerfs to XP in MyTeam: https://www.reddit.com/r/NBA2k/comments/9fax78/myteam_was_also_nerfed/
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See all 13 User Reviews