Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 59 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 59
  2. Negative: 0 out of 59
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  1. Sep 19, 2022
    95
    Developing a new title in the sports genre every year and improving at the same time is a real challenge for any company, but Visual Concepts managed to create a true 9th generation experience with NBA 2K23, offering solid visuals, stunning animations and tons of content while staying loyal to simulation gameplay. It is safe to say that the king is back.
  2. Sep 28, 2022
    90
    An abundance of various modes and improvements to the on-court action, NBA 2K23 is an astonishing amount of fun for any basketball fan. Even the microtransactions in some modes weren’t enough to dampen the pure fun that the rest of the game had to offer.
  3. Areajugones
    Sep 21, 2022
    90
    Visual Concepts once again gives us the definitive basketball experience in the world of videogames. Coinciding with the twenty-third anniversary of the numbering of their games, they could only point to excellence. The gameplay looks sharper and more precise than ever, the vintage game modes take us back to incredible times and MyTEAM and MyCareer remain a safe bet. Without a doubt, essential for lovers of sports games.
  4. Sep 15, 2022
    90
    NBA 2K23 builds on last year’s rock-solid entry with some well-considered on-court changes, a deeper, more satisfying career mode, and an array of accessible nostalgia-tweaking content. Most refreshingly, almost none of these additions are designed to push extra spending. If Visual Concepts stays hungry, NBA 2K23 could be the beginning of a new dynasty that would do its cover star proud.
  5. Sep 14, 2022
    90
    NBA 2K23 is the game the community has been wanting, but that hardcore community is far more advanced than any casual player looking to just play a basketball game. It’s the little things that help to make NBA 2K23 the best sports representation to date, and the legacy content now puts the series far ahead of any other sports series out there. It’s not without its fault, beginning with the difficulty and learning curve of the game. Every bit of content in this year’s game is fresh and useful and you’ll find yourself playing every mode. If you purchased the version that offers 100K virtual currency, you have to choose if that’s going to MyPLAYER or to MyTEAM. The modes remain a grind to keep the player on the game, but the Jordan Challenge is worth the price of admission to begin with. This is better than the 2K Showcases in the WWE series due to the presentation aspect. It’ll be difficult for 2K to one-up NBA 2K23, one of the best video game sports adaptions of all time.
  6. Sep 13, 2022
    90
    NBA 2K23 is one of the best games that has ever stepped onto a sports court. Its gameplay and technical fundamentals are without doubt, but the addition of historic modes to its roster is a better move than the one the Chicago Bulls made when they selected Michael Jordan with the third pick in the 1984 Draft.
  7. Sep 11, 2022
    90
    Undoubtedly the best opus of the license released to date. In addition to the already gargantuan lifespan, further improved in solo and multiplayer thanks to a My NBA mode boosted by the choice of 4 eras, the return of the Jordan Challenge, the co-op mode in My Team and the Career Theater, the gameplay in will delight some. The former crazy dribblers are now limited online and must think collectively, the shooting timing is more demanding, but much fairer and a lot of new animations come to shake up the regulars. Graphically impeccable, taking in immersion with old-school skins for period matches, the title enters the Hall of Fame. Only gray areas, the usual desire (or even need) to take out the credit card to get more VC and advance your player, a matchmaking that is still quite unbalanced and some crashes on certain career quests. Even MJ can have flaws.
  8. 90
    NBA 2K23 does a killer job of opening the floor to those that are new to the franchise, or those returning for their umpteenth time. With gorgeous visuals that help solidify this as one of the best-looking games of the generation so far, to controls that let you feel like a pro, there's very little to complain about here.
  9. Sep 18, 2022
    89
    NBA 2K23 is the Michael Jordan of the basketball games. Stunning visuals, improved gameplay and the additions of Eras to the MyNBA mode and the Jordan Challenges make it a must-have for basketball fans. The only issue with NBA 2K23 is an old one: microtransactions. But, if you're a 2K fan, you already know that.
  10. Sep 14, 2022
    89
    NBA 2K23 is a game with spectacular graphics that puts the latest generation of consoles to their maximum capacity. It lacks depth in some game modes and others can be repetitive but its gameplay is worthy of 2K games.
  11. Sep 22, 2022
    87
    Visual Concepts has finally created a beautiful chapter of NBA 2K, balanced, rich in content, aesthetically true next gen.
  12. Sep 19, 2022
    87
    Once again, Visual Concepts shows that they deserve all the credit, with solid gameplay and an absolutely huge amount of content. Special mention to Eras, a new addition that sets an inflection point in sports videogames.
  13. Sep 27, 2022
    86
    NBA 2K23 is a massive step forward for the series in nearly every fashion. Gameplay, presentation and experience upgrades make this the best 2K in years.
  14. NBA 2K23 offers fun content by adding new modes to the series. In addition to the 10+ hour Jordan Challenge mode, it is also a pleasure to play NBA seasons in different eras.
  15. Oct 4, 2022
    85
    NBA 2K23 at its core is the same great experience that players enjoy each and every year, while also still mired by the unpleasant microtransactions for your MyPlayer. This year's return of the Jordan Challenge, however, takes the game to new heights that it has not felt for a number of years now thanks to the level of authenticity found in the presentation and gameplay surrounding the GOAT Michael Jordan.
  16. Sep 27, 2022
    85
    NBA 2K23 is one of the best entry in the series so far, thanks to its devout tribute to the story of the sport and a few gameplay innovations. ERA MyNBA e the Jordan Challanges represent the best example of sport digital storyitelling in the world of videogames, while MyTeam and MyCareer suffer from the usual monetization policy, even if The City is far more engaging than the last year. On the court NBA 2K23 is a solid basketball experience, with a new shooting system that feels simple and consistent.
  17. Sep 22, 2022
    85
    NBA 2K23 shines this year on next-gen and positions itself as one of the best episodes of the license released so far. A gargantuan content, a neat technique, a gameplay much more faithful to the real thing, winks every 5 minutes for NBA fans, a less fraudulent My Team mode and a very positive NBA League Pass offer for the players. However, we can't ignore the differences between the current-gen and next-gen versions given the prices displayed... It is urgent that 2K wakes up and stops this unequal practice towards the players by proposing similar versions or at adequate prices according to what is offered to the players. This 2023 vintage is back on the throne of sports simulations by advocating excellence in the image of an ever more legendary Michael Jordan.
  18. Sep 15, 2022
    85
    The NBA 2K franchise is back and moving in the right direction. After years of stagnant gameplay mechanics and subtle improvements to its franchise mode, this year’s game has taken huge, direction-defining steps. NBA 2K23 offers an amazingly customizable experience. With the exception of a few perhaps philosophical issues and some lingering old assets still in use, this year’s version registers as an All-NBA first team selection within the series’ storied history.
  19. Sep 11, 2022
    85
    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. Sadly, 2K keeps much of the fun locked behind an expensive paywall that simply cannot be justified.
  20. Oct 3, 2022
    83
    Although it has room for improvement, the truth is that it is a pleasant surprise after last year's title. 2K pays tribute to the NBA and recovers the value of the great moments that defined its rise to the Olympus of video games.
  21. Sep 14, 2022
    83
    NBA 2K23 is a solid step forward pretty much in every aspect, apart from the visuals and MyCareer, that are not as surprising or attractive as they were before.
  22. Nov 16, 2022
    80
    I can safely recommend NBA 2K23 to every sports games fan, even though the microtransactions are extremely aggressive. The gameplay is too good, and I hope future updates won’t break it.
  23. PLAY
    Oct 15, 2022
    80
    The same great core experience and slick presentation we’re used to, with a number of welcome changes. A superb basketball game. Alley-oops, they did it again. [Issue#20, p.70]
  24. Oct 7, 2022
    80
    VC issues aside, which aren’t anything new, NBA 2K23 is undoubtedly the best entry in the series for some years. Jordan Challenge is a great addition that can eat up many hours of your time, while MyCareer is more engrossing than ever thanks to its entertaining story. But ultimately, it’s the gameplay changes that make NBA 2K23 worth picking up. Playing basketball from the comfort of your couch has never looked or felt so good.
  25. Oct 3, 2022
    80
    If you like the NBA, if you are fond of basketball games, there are no alternatives, you will definitely play this game. But beyond being the only alternative to play, it also offers good reasons such as the Jordan Challenge and NBA Eras. It definitely deserves a chance.
  26. Sep 28, 2022
    80
    Those who’ve been playing the recent releases will find NBA 2K23 more of an update to the previous version rather than a completely new iteration of a popular franchise. And they wouldn’t be wrong. 2K has tried to polish the best parts of the game, while also reducing the focus on the ones that don’t seem to be praised as much as others. Eventually, NBA 2K23 is a game that will still keep you entertained for some time, though the lack of a more massive overhaul will probably upset way too many fans of the franchise.
  27. Sep 23, 2022
    80
    If NBA 2K23 was a today's player, it would probably be Doncic - we can either focus on his magical stepback threepointers, or on him being a "black hole" on defense.
  28. 80
    As a package, NBA 2K23 is a phenomenal celebration of basketball. The return of the Jordan Challenge retells a stellar career and features exemplary presentation. NBA Eras takes you through an abundance of classic content and the on-court action feels tight and polished. MyCareer is substantial but still can't shake the intrusiveness of microtransactions. It delivers a decent story but can feel like a grind. Even with these problems, the sheer wealth of modes makes NBA 2K23 worthwhile.
  29. Sep 19, 2022
    80
    While the action on the court is still fantastic and the new game modes are very entertaining and play with basketball fans' nostalgia, NBA 2K23 is brought down by its excessive microtransactions, which are the very definition of "pay-to-win".
  30. Sep 18, 2022
    80
    NBA 2K23 is still the best possible product for basketball fans and the best thing you can ask for in a sports simulation game. The additions of historical content are jaw-dropping and have clearly received plenty of love. However, the online experience that makes the game so long lasting is highly compromised by the absurd need to spend even more to stay in the competition.
  31. Sep 18, 2022
    80
    NBA 2K23 has it all. Its nostalgic ways massage the affection that more traditional NBA fans have for games and teams of the past, while also bringing a little bit of the history that turned the NBA into the emotional machine it is today. All of this combined with gameplay changes like improved spacing and better AI make this an ideal game for sports game fans. NBA 2K23 is indeed one of the best experiences for basketball fans in games, but please, stay away of its microtransactions. Particularly, we focus on the parts without it and that's the path for some real fun.
  32. Sep 16, 2022
    80
    It may be easy to accuse sports games of offering the same experience year in and year out, but you simply can’t say that about NBA 2K23. The game still has issues with its overemphasis on microtransactions in MyCareer and to a lesser extent MyTeam, but the new MyNBA Eras mode is a revelation – and the Jordan Challenge campaign is damn fun, too. On the court, 2K Sports has made some nice balancing tweaks and also improved the overall AI to make matches more dynamic and competitive, and when you pair all of that with all the new animations, you end up with a basketball sim that’s the very definition of a slam dunk.
  33. Sep 14, 2022
    80
    This year's NBA 2K game is one of the best in recent years. The MyCareer mode has an actual interesting story with a great cast of characters. The Jordan challenge is an incredible addition to the game and is really fun to play through. MyTeam is basically the same as last year but added Triple threat co-op, which is cool. The game does have some framerate issues and camera bugs which could be annoying but every good aspect of the game makes up for it.
  34. Sep 10, 2022
    80
    NBA 2K23 has something for everyone to get stuck into – whether you want to get engrossed in the Jordan era or have your own come up in MyCareer, all provide a lot to work with. With some of the best visuals to hit consoles and deep gameplay that plays so solidly, NBA 2K23 is a great iteration of the franchise.
  35. Oct 4, 2022
    79
    A strong soccer game with a great presentation, more kicking women and a really good feel. FUT brings the same problems as always and the career is often no longer up to date.
  36. Sep 21, 2022
    79
    Overall, NBA 2K23 has some of the best gameplay in an NBA 2K game. While the MyPlayer mode is a bit of a shadow of its former self, the various additions and changes to MyTeam and MyNBA make up for it overall. Despite being on point in most areas, the Virtual Currency situation will definitely affect players’ enjoyment of the game. While the term “pay to win” does come to mind, NBA2K23’s gameplay and various modes are still very well done.
  37. Sep 30, 2022
    78
    I would recommend NBA 2K23 for its sheer breadth of material and the fact that it really tries to be a basketball universe unto itself (hence the massive file size). It's certainly not perfect, as I still keep running into odd glitches now and then, and even some strange things that carry over from the last game (Do I really have to keep walking through the Dallas Mavericks shootaround to get to my guys? Why is that still a thing?), but it is and shall likely always be the sports game I play almost every day, no matter what time of year it actually is — even when the fans tell me I stink.
  38. Sep 27, 2022
    78
    NBA 2K23 has everything needed in order to make NBA's fans fall in love, but it still has more than an aspect that needs improvement, from the AI to the intrusive microtransactions.
  39. Sep 14, 2022
    78
    NBA2K23 came with some interesting changes by bring back old memories. Jordan's legendary career and the year-based dynasty mode are both very attractive new features. NBA 2K23 is still the best basketball game in the world, even though it's still similar to NBA2K22. I'm glad to see that the NBA 2K series have made some innovations and changes, but there is still a lot of room for further improvements.
  40. Sep 19, 2022
    76
    NBA 2K23 leaves us torn: On the one hand, it’s an almost perfect simulation of the sport delivering a high amount of detail and gameplay-value. On the other hand, the experience is heavily harmed by microtransactions and in-game advertisments.
  41. Oct 4, 2022
    75
    When we throw all the listed elements into a pot and mix them, we get an excellent playable basketball, which is great to watch and you will enjoy every single virtual game. But we already feel the stagnation in the series and the technical shortcomings do not help either.
  42. Sep 23, 2022
    75
    NBA 2K23 is both fantastic and frustrating, where VC is a huge problem, but new modes like The Jordan Challenge is thoroughly enjoyable.
  43. Sep 19, 2022
    75
    It's the best this series has been in a long while, and it does so by catering not to 2K fans, but basketball fans in general. The Jordan Challenges, MyNBA Era and MyPlayer modes all give a sense of wonder and fun the series lacked in the last three games. And in the next game (That needs to feature Kobe Bryant on the cover), this is the line they need to drive to.
  44. Sep 18, 2022
    75
    Without a focus on MJ’s career, 2K23 doesn’t offer too much more than last year’s iteration. It’s a serviceable experience for newcomers and pros alike, it’s just a damn shame it’s becoming more and more a marketing tool than a game. What concerns me is, where do they go from here?
  45. Sep 16, 2022
    75
    Overall, NBA 2K23 is a fitting tribute to the historical legends and iconic moments that made this sport what it is today. Though the game has its fair share of issues with its poor narrative choices and omnipresent microtransactions, it’s still a solid improvement over the previous game. This year’s release isn’t quite the flashy free-throw line dunk that lands a perfect score, but it is a worthy, all-around effort that would earn M.J.’s shrug of approval.
User Score
4.6

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 92 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 92
  2. Negative: 46 out of 92
  1. Sep 12, 2022
    0
    MyCareer has become one of the greediest modes I've ever seen in a AAA retail game. They stripped out all of the ways to make decent amountsMyCareer has become one of the greediest modes I've ever seen in a AAA retail game. They stripped out all of the ways to make decent amounts of VC without paying. Way worse than even last year. Don't be a sucker like me and avoid indulging this predatory developer. Full Review »
  2. Sep 11, 2022
    0
    This game is utterly trash! Same copy of last year with the cringiest MyCareer story mode. Big money cash grab updating your Mycareer playerThis game is utterly trash! Same copy of last year with the cringiest MyCareer story mode. Big money cash grab updating your Mycareer player with "The City" full of ads banners everywhere.

    I get it, you want your game to have the MMORP-isk feel, but it's bland there is no context to it. People playing Mycareer wants to play ball, We don't want to be rapper, fashion icon., remove that garbage!

    It's cool you want this game to be harder to shoot, that is fine, but 2k never even consider the input lag on this game especially when you're playing out of your region.

    This game is turrrible! - CB
    Full Review »
  3. Sep 14, 2022
    0
    Once again, more micro transactions, more drama in my career mode. If you like soap opera this game is for you. When will they actually listenOnce again, more micro transactions, more drama in my career mode. If you like soap opera this game is for you. When will they actually listen to the players? The majority doesn’t want to pay for a game on top of insisting on buying in game currency. No one asks to pay more to progress nicely in any games. They desperately need competition because this business practice is keeping me away from 2k basketball games for good, hoping that each year changes. Thank goodness for game rentals! Full Review »