NBA 2K23

 PlayStation 5
User Score
4.6

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 91 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 91
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 91
  3. Negative: 45 out of 91
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  1. JeepDaddyMac46
    Sep 13, 2022
    8
    Lots of game modes, Eras is a great addition! Player movement is improved, less log jams in the paint, crisper graphics and improved player detail. My only is the shot meter. We need a little green to allow for more accurate shooting %s. The hit spot for shots is abysmally small and if you are guarded at all, forget it.
  2. JayhawkerZoomer
    Sep 13, 2022
    8
    It's a significant improvement over 2K22, and easily the best 2K since 2K16. In a world of sports titles that don't make any real improvements year over year, it's refreshing that 2K has finally added some real changes to MyLeague with Eras (a feature sports gamers in football, basketball, hockey etc have been wanting for years), and some improvements to MyCareer. The game isn't the bestIt's a significant improvement over 2K22, and easily the best 2K since 2K16. In a world of sports titles that don't make any real improvements year over year, it's refreshing that 2K has finally added some real changes to MyLeague with Eras (a feature sports gamers in football, basketball, hockey etc have been wanting for years), and some improvements to MyCareer. The game isn't the best sports title ever, however, and it's not even the best basketball title ever.... but it's in the conversation for best basketball sports sim at least, if not just because of the gameplay changes that prevent over-dribbling and actually setting up plays and the Eras mode, that lets you start your franchise mode in the 80s, 90s, 2000s, or modern era, complete with period accurate television filters, scorebugs, commentary, rule changes, rosters, arenas, and even making the State Farm advertisements around the arena look different depending on the era you start in.

    The reason I only give it an 8 out of 10 is because even with the improvements to MyCareer, the story is still annoying as hell, and the characters and situations they create for you are at times laughably bad. If you can ignore the cutscenes and fake drama they create and ball, the on-court gameplay is fun.... but I don't want this fake rivalry with a fake NBA player... I just want to play a basketball sim. I don't want the "friends" they set you up with in game, because they're not the type of people I'd be friends with in real life. I don't want to listen to Ronnie2K ramble on and on in a cutscene. In fact, I wish they'd just disassociate from Ronnie2K completely. Easily the most annoying part of 2K.
    The City is too big, and baits you into microtransactions for transportation and accessories... don't fall for it, just grind... it's a cool idea in concept, but it doesn't work as advertised. The REC is balanced and fun, and the new gameplay changes, for the time being, prevent too much cheesing.

    Overall, it's the best sports title out right now, and it's the best in the past 6 years. A few improvements and building on this base (DO NOT REMOVE ANY FEATURES) and 2K24 could be a 10/10 game. Could be.    … Expand
  3. VitaminJ19
    Sep 12, 2022
    8
    I am primarily an offline player who does not play with MyTeam at all. The gameplay is better than last years, along with some of the AI issues from last year improved somewhat. The graphics for next-gen are great and the gameplay is much smoother. I can't speak for MyCareer, as I avoid that and MyTeam due to predatory practices from 2K that pretty much requires to buy VC in order to haveI am primarily an offline player who does not play with MyTeam at all. The gameplay is better than last years, along with some of the AI issues from last year improved somewhat. The graphics for next-gen are great and the gameplay is much smoother. I can't speak for MyCareer, as I avoid that and MyTeam due to predatory practices from 2K that pretty much requires to buy VC in order to have a decent character without endless grinding. Game still has a few things to improve upon, but this is a much better entry than 2K22… Expand
  4. Sabini
    Sep 13, 2022
    10
    NBA 2K23 is the game that will be remembered for years to come, the measuring stick for what is expected from a triple A sports game. It's the NFL 2K5 of basketball video-gaming. So many things to do and everything is done in ultra high quality. From the gorgeous graphics, to the amazing animations, and the countless signature styles from shooting to replicating a players runningNBA 2K23 is the game that will be remembered for years to come, the measuring stick for what is expected from a triple A sports game. It's the NFL 2K5 of basketball video-gaming. So many things to do and everything is done in ultra high quality. From the gorgeous graphics, to the amazing animations, and the countless signature styles from shooting to replicating a players running animations this game will continue to astonish you each time you power up your console. If you haven't already done it and you're even the slightest fan of basketball do yourself a favor and buy NBA 2K23! It will be the best decision you made all year guaranteed.… Expand
  5. newsambo
    Sep 10, 2022
    9
    I dont play Myteam, or myplayer. I only played play now and honestly, the small changes are well done. The atmosphere is like a true NBA game and the shooting mechanics have improved. Great game so far!
  6. Imanova
    Sep 11, 2022
    10
    Great AI, Stamina bar and better animations, with better shooting experience.
  7. uncharted4
    Sep 10, 2022
    10
    Gameplay is fantastic especially defense.. Fouls is finally working against cpu in MyNBA mode. dribbling, shooting are damn fun.. CPU playing so smarter
  8. YoBenson
    Sep 13, 2022
    10
    Best nba 2k game. Jumpshot creator is very good, skills are better then last editons
  9. Maxxgold
    Sep 13, 2022
    10
    People giving zeros are the biggest losers ever. The game is amazing on the PS5. If you are butt hurt over the PC version then let your review on Steam speak for itself.
  10. MinePlay512
    Sep 10, 2022
    10
    Of course what was coming for NBA 2K23 on next gen, like adding eras, bringing the Jordan Challenge back to make it better, as well as improvement the gameplay and keeping it stable. A lot of things might be worth but it's safe to say NBA 2K23 on next gen is one of the best basketball.
  11. Jew69
    Sep 10, 2022
    10
    Best 2k game in years. Everything about it is better. Its safe to buy it boys.
  12. Xand65157rgdsgf
    Sep 11, 2022
    10
    This is a very good game the physics is good, the graphics look great and the new modes are awesome.
  13. YinNYK
    Sep 11, 2022
    10
    Don’t let these generic “same game every year” reviews fool you, although 2K has had some rough years in the past and being skeptical of any sports games is 100% justified NBA 2K23 is a genuine love letter to basketball.

    The addition of MyNBA Eras / the Jordan Challenge alone is worth the price of admission. The detail and presentation of both modes are second to none, from the era    Don’t let these generic “same game every year” reviews fool you, although 2K has had some rough years in the past and being skeptical of any sports games is 100% justified NBA 2K23 is a genuine love letter to basketball.

    The addition of MyNBA Eras / the Jordan Challenge alone is worth the price of admission.

    The detail and presentation of both modes are second to none, from the era specific filters, courts, rules, how the CPU plays, commentary ect 2K took no shortcuts.

    The 15 Jordan challenges with its documentary style presentation is clean and it’s in game cutscenes of re creations of some of Jordan’s greatest moments look amazing in 4K MyNBA Eras and it’s 3 new timelines (Bird Vs Jordan) (Jordan Era) (Kobe Era) include 100s of new historic players from well known players to even the most obscure players that even some of the biggest basketball nerds may not know. It’s authentic and leagues above any other sports games franchise mode.

    The gameplay has improved ten fold from 2K22, no more over dribbling no more cheese / exploits, no more stiffness in the movement and canned animations. if you play online this year it requires skill from shooting to dribbling no game really feels the same and it’s a big learning curve.

    MyCareers storyline is cheesy as every year though there is heaps of content and cutscenes most of the time it’s not related to actual ball, what’s important to know is none of it is compulsory if you wish to just play in NBA with your own player without worrying about a music career on the side you can, it’s completely optional. (Side not entering the Arena is one of the coolest features added into a sports game, going from the team bus to the court with the Next Gen graphics is just epic)

    Making a player though is going to cost you money or hours of grinding to even get enough VC for a decent rating of about 80 it’s the worse thing about 2K and personally hinders me from making more then one player.

    The City layout is a lot smaller making it much easier to traverse although that doesn’t mean it doesn’t look awesome, the 4 affiliation parks are some of the best looking parks we’ve had in 2K history.

    MyTeam although yes you are expected to open you’re wallet to obtain some of the best players in the game, the amount of single player content and cards you can earn rather then pay for is in my opinion fair.

    2K23 is a fantastic game, Mike Wang and the rest of the developers deserve a lot of credit for it, it’s early but I can see this going down as one of the greatest 2Ks ever.    … Expand
  14. RichieSeven
    Sep 11, 2022
    10
    You can see how this game evolves year after year. The thought that's put into, how the developers at Visual Concepts try and make the game more fun. Some years they might miss, but this isn't one of them. Great gameplay, great theming, I'm psyched to get deeper.
  15. FPrsn
    Sep 12, 2022
    10
    I've been playing NB2K since 2010 and never before have I experienced such immersive gameplay. The game is a tribute to basketball. It's a treat for anyone who is passionate about the NBA.

    It's not only the best game in the franchise, but also the best sports game of all time.
  16. Kannibal
    Sep 17, 2022
    8
    I normally only ever review things when they are bad but against all odds this is actually pretty good. Disclaimer I don't use Myplayer so I am entirely unaffected by the microtransactions. I think we really will look back at this as a very excellent game once things are balanced.

    The good The animations seem a little bit smoother and varied. The more relaxed shot timing makes the game    I normally only ever review things when they are bad but against all odds this is actually pretty good. Disclaimer I don't use Myplayer so I am entirely unaffected by the microtransactions. I think we really will look back at this as a very excellent game once things are balanced.

    The good

    The animations seem a little bit smoother and varied.

    The more relaxed shot timing makes the game more fun if a bit less realistic.

    The presentation is fantastic.

    Several new modes added.

    2k has absolutely zero reason to iterate or improve, as stupid people plow billions of dollars into microtransactions but they did anyway, this should be rewarded.

    The bad

    Defense at The rim is absurdly unimpactful, like ridiculously pointless.

    The player ratings are awful and almost irrelevant given the dependence on badges and animations. Poor or average 3-point shooters in reality or sometimes much easier to use than the league's best shooters.

    The the more accessible shot timer although overall a positive can undermine the entire experience, making everything feel like a timing minigame.

    Final thoughts

    The belief that a company would simply voluntarily give up more money than the GDP of a small nation is moronic and is only going to lead to disappointment. Don't buy VC and for goodness sake don't let your children have your credit cards. 2K literally released a roster update and made billions but they didn't. Good for them, review bombing a better product is not going to accomplish anything. If you buy and positively review better games you will get better games if you don't buy micro transactions you won't see them.    … Expand
  17. NonAtmospheric
    Sep 14, 2022
    9
    Roster customization has reached a franchise high and will reach even greater heights once you actually port this version to PC. Got a nice MJ era aesthetic with the scoreboards as well as adding onto the PAs from last year.

    Direct that same zero energy towards Roger Goodell and the 32 NFL owners for letting EA's "Madden 23" hit the shelves once again. Actually, this isn't a 10 either    Roster customization has reached a franchise high and will reach even greater heights once you actually port this version to PC. Got a nice MJ era aesthetic with the scoreboards as well as adding onto the PAs from last year.

    Direct that same zero energy towards Roger Goodell and the 32 NFL owners for letting EA's "Madden 23" hit the shelves once again. Actually, this isn't a 10 either because beloved popular game mode All-Star Team Up during the COVID-19 pandemic on both consoles was removed for CURRENT gen. Play Now Online matchmaking is region locked so West will not connect to East servers where 10 of 10 games will actually start. And this game is still not supporting cross platform play.    … Expand
  18. Easy_mode123
    Oct 9, 2022
    9
    I have only played 4 nba 2ks so i dont have alot of experience but this one is the BEST
  19. Cannonsmith
    Sep 14, 2022
    10
    Game is finally fun again. Park is actually fun since there arent any glitchy moves.
  20. art1373
    Feb 19, 2023
    8
    Generally like the gameplay, the 3pts and lay ups are more realistic and it feel's like true simulator of the NBA.
  21. Treetown1256
    Sep 17, 2022
    10
    Best 2k since 2k17, the game is very clean and the gameplay feels more realistic. I enjoy playing with friends and going on win streaks!!

Awards & Rankings

43
#43 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2022
37
#37 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 59 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 45 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 59
  3. Negative: 0 out of 59
  1. GRYOnline.pl
    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.
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  2. Merlin'in Kazanı (Turkey)
    Oct 23, 2022
    85
    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.
    Read full review
  3. 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]
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