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Steve_OS · 03-18-2025, 09:56 AM

The first NBA 2K game came out in 1999 on the Dreamcast, and since then, it...

Written By: Nick Constant

Click here to view the article.

cch99 · 03-18-2025, 01:30 PM

Being a little bit older (51) I would have NBA 2k23 as my top pick. The introduction of Eras really added a whole new dimension. Once I had my sliders locked in it was the best for me.

Even now in 25 I still find the Magic/Bird and Jordan Era's more fun to play in, but that makes sense considering growing up in the 80's and preferring that style of play with mid-range game and bigs being more prominent.

For me #2 is NBA 2k16.

Beyond that they all run together for me to be honest. And the early ones I always preferred Live until eventually making the switch to 2k. I tried the one with Iverson on the cover and just did not like it. I think I switched with 2k7 or 2k8. Probably around the time I started playing 2k College Hoops.

ChaseB · 03-18-2025, 02:42 PM

Even as a young pup, I never understood the Live love around that 2002-2005 era in the later PS2 days. Like, I played them, but I was pretty much 2K-pilled from the jump once it was a series.

Mintsa · 03-18-2025, 02:59 PM

The NBA 2K2 intro lives in my brain rent free……

Armor and Sword · 03-18-2025, 03:05 PM

1. 2K23

2. 2K11

3. 2K24

4. 2K18

5. 2K16

VDusen04 · 03-18-2025, 06:53 PM

I'm just here to ensure that ESPN NBA Basketball 2004 didn't make the cut. 'Twas a tough year for 2K fans back then.

TheBrew101 · 03-18-2025, 10:20 PM

1. NBA 2K23. Eras was an amazing introduction in sports gaming.

2. NBA 2K11.

3. NBA 2K24

4. NBA 2K19.

5. NBA 2K16.

My list would be similar to above posters.

vetmin · 03-19-2025, 03:15 PM

As a more recent 2K gamer (since 2K20) and mostly on PC, my list is:

1. 2K23 (old-gen) = My GOAT.
2. 2K22 (old-gen)
3. 2K20
4. 2K21 (old-gen)
5. 2K25 (new-gen) = Strongly dislike. Can't wait to uninstall it.

NOTE: I've also played 2K14, 2K16, and 2K24 (old-gen), but not enough to feel comfortable ranking them. I suspect that if I played all three of them more, 2K24 would be in between 2K20 and 2K21, while 2K14 and 2K16 would be competing for the #2 spot.

03-18-2025, 09:56 AM	#1
Steve_OS Editor-in-Chief OVR: 77 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: OS Eastern Office Posts: 33,233 Blog Entries: 556	10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked The first NBA 2K game came out in 1999 on the Dreamcast, and since then, it... Written By: Nick Constant Click here to view the article. __________________ Steve Noah Editor-in-Chief http://www.operationsports.com Follow me on Twitter

03-18-2025, 02:42 PM	#3
ChaseB #BringBackFaceuary OVR: 40 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 9,654 Blog Entries: 17	Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked Even as a young pup, I never understood the Live love around that 2002-2005 era in the later PS2 days. Like, I played them, but I was pretty much 2K-pilled from the jump once it was a series. malky likes this. __________________ I won't ask for Christmas or birthday gifts if you subscribe to the Operation Sports Newsletter (Not Just Another Roster Update). I write it, and it hits your inbox every Friday morning (for freeeeeee).

03-18-2025, 02:59 PM	#4
Mintsa All Star OVR: 17 Join Date: Aug 2002	Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked The NBA 2K2 intro lives in my brain rent free……

03-18-2025, 03:05 PM	#5
Armor and Sword The Lama OVR: 0 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Parkland, Florida Posts: 21,567 Blog Entries: 5	Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked 1. 2K23 2. 2K11 3. 2K24 4. 2K18 5. 2K16 gr18 and TheBrew101 like this. __________________ Now Playing on PS5: NHL25 - Panthers YR1 (Quarter Finals vs Islanders) CFB 25 - Alabama YR8 MLB The Show 24 - 1990 Blue Jays MLB The Show 25 - 2025 Yankees Year 1 (24-24) Indiana Jones & The Great Circle Follow me on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/armorandsword

03-18-2025, 06:53 PM	#6
VDusen04 Hall Of Fame OVR: 18 Join Date: Aug 2003	Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked I'm just here to ensure that ESPN NBA Basketball 2004 didn't make the cut. 'Twas a tough year for 2K fans back then. malky likes this.

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03-18-2025, 01:30 PM	#2
cch99 MVP OVR: 9 Join Date: May 2003	Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked Being a little bit older (51) I would have NBA 2k23 as my top pick. The introduction of Eras really added a whole new dimension. Once I had my sliders locked in it was the best for me. Even now in 25 I still find the Magic/Bird and Jordan Era's more fun to play in, but that makes sense considering growing up in the 80's and preferring that style of play with mid-range game and bigs being more prominent. For me #2 is NBA 2k16. Beyond that they all run together for me to be honest. And the early ones I always preferred Live until eventually making the switch to 2k. I tried the one with Iverson on the cover and just did not like it. I think I switched with 2k7 or 2k8. Probably around the time I started playing 2k College Hoops. LRBTODAY, TheBrew101 and VDusen04 like this.

03-18-2025, 10:20 PM	#7
TheBrew101 Rookie OVR: 3 Join Date: Mar 2003	Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked 1. NBA 2K23. Eras was an amazing introduction in sports gaming. 2. NBA 2K11. 3. NBA 2K24 4. NBA 2K19. 5. NBA 2K16. My list would be similar to above posters.

03-19-2025, 03:15 PM	#8
vetmin Pro OVR: 0 Join Date: Sep 2019	Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked As a more recent 2K gamer (since 2K20) and mostly on PC, my list is: 1. 2K23 (old-gen) = My GOAT. 2. 2K22 (old-gen) 3. 2K20 4. 2K21 (old-gen) 5. 2K25 (new-gen) = Strongly dislike. Can't wait to uninstall it. NOTE: I've also played 2K14, 2K16, and 2K24 (old-gen), but not enough to feel comfortable ranking them. I suspect that if I played all three of them more, 2K24 would be in between 2K20 and 2K21, while 2K14 and 2K16 would be competing for the #2 spot.

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10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked