NBA 2K24
By Marc Saltzman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Fun but flawed new edition of NBA game; in-game purchases.
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NBA 2K24
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What’s It About?
Celebrating 25 years of the best-selling NBA 2K game series, 2K Sports is back with NBA 2K24, a multiplatform pro basketball simulation that celebrates past and present players, the league (both NBA and WNBA), the fans and basketball culture as a whole. Along with an updated roster, new this year is ProPLAY technology for Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5, which adds more realism to the presentation as it converts real NBA video footage into in-game animation. NBA 2K24 also supports online cross-play between different consoles. A MAMBA MOMENTS mode lets players recreate some of Kobe Bryant's biggest moves throughout his illustrious career in the league. A new beachfront city can be explored (for Xbox Series S/X and PS5 owners) along with the MyPLAYER and MyCAREER mode updates -- including an optional Season Pass, which unlocks more content. The developer has also added more features to the MyTEAM card-collecting mode and extra management options to the MyNBA mode (including the LeBron era starting in 2011). While most of the solo and online modes are available to all platforms, NBA 2K24 offers the best graphics and added modes and features exclusively for Xbox Series S/X and PS5.
Is It Any Good?
While there are some issues with NBA 2K24, the game builds upon the success of its predecessors, and delivers a comprehensive simulation for fans of the sport. Between its multiple modes, enhanced visuals (with ProPLAY technology on some of the consoles) and accessible controls, it's fun to play solo, with a friend, or online with players from around the world. The first thing you'll notice after installing the game is the slick Kobe Bryant video that plays in the game engine, which shows off the 4K graphics with High Dynamic Range (HDR), animation and smooth 60 frames-per-second visuals. Speaking of tributes to Kobe, besides the cover art of the game, the new MAMBA MOMENTS feature is perfect for Kobe fans since you can play as the legendary player during his early days and all through his rise up the ranks to be one of the game's top names. An added bonus is the announcers who really amp up the drama, as well as broadcast-like replays and slow-motion close-up shots from iconic moves and big wins.
The game's not without its flaws. Micro-transactions as a way to win can be annoying and seem unfair, and not all features and graphics upgrades are available for every platforms. Cross-platform support is a great idea but the multiplayer lobby gets stuck on a matchmaking screen from time to time, so you need to leave and come back. This may not be related to connecting PlayStation gamers with Xbox players, but definitely needs to be ironed out just the same. NBA 2K24 is the best basketball game out there, but between some stability issues, microtransactions with some modes, and many of the features and visual upgrades (like ProPLAY) only for Xbox Series S/X or PS5, it's not a slam dunk. Warts and all, NBA fans shouldn't be disappointed with this new iteration of the 25-year-old series -- especially for those on next-gen consoles.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about annual sports games. Do you think there's a reason to put out a new version of the game each year? Are there enough changes to justify this or does it seem like this is just another way to get fans to spend money?
The game allows in-game voice chat and let's you play with other people, both those you know and don't know. Parents can talk to kids about how to stay safe on games like this by only playing with friends they know and setting boundaries around appropriate behavior.
While NBA 2K24 doesn't contain any controversial content, parents of gamers should bookmark Common Sense Media to help guide them through various media their kids are consuming, to help make and manage good decisions as a family.
Parents and kids can explore this game together so parents have a piece of mind about how the game functions and it's settings, and so kids feel adults understand the game they're playing.
Game Details
- Platforms: Xbox Series X/S , PlayStation 5 , Nintendo Switch , Windows , Xbox One , PlayStation 4
- Pricing structure: Paid ($49.99 - $99.99 (depending on the version and platform))
- Available online?: Not available online
- Publisher: 2K Sports
- Release date: September 8, 2023
- Genre: Sports
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Sports and Martial Arts , Great Boy Role Models
- ESRB rating: E for In-Game Purchases.
- Last updated: September 15, 2023
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