10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked

[Steve_OS]

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

Written By: Nick Constant

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[cch99]

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.

[ChaseB]

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.

[Mintsa]

Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked

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

[Armor and Sword]

Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked

1. 2K23

2. 2K11

3. 2K24

4. 2K18

5. 2K16

[VDusen04]

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.

[TheBrew101]

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.

[vetmin]

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.

[ffaacc03]

Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked

My top 10:

1. NBA 2K11. Great gameplay and the introduction of the MJ modes and classics. Really in a league of its own. Add nostalgia and its the GOAT of 2K.

2. NBA 2K23. Really liked gameplay and online, plus Eras.

3. NBA 2K25. Good gameplay and modes, thus online is so-so with all the nonesense steals and 3pts while being defended, also no teamup online.

4. NBA 2K14 (old gen). Good gameplay.

5. NBA 2K8. A refinement of the signatures and gameplay from 2K7

6. NBA 2K16. Good gameplay and online.

7. NBA 2K2. An expansion of the original, hooked me up to fully go with this franchise.

8. NBA 2K7. Introduction of the signature moves and such.

9. NBA 2K12. More classics and live ball, plus gameplay.

10. NBA 2K. The one that started all and after it, there was no more Live for me; it was a very refresh take of the game, introducing the post battles among other things.

[Vni]

Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked

Besides the first and second I disagree with everything in that list, 2K13 being one of the worst 2K for me. I would put 2K25 at 3 and 2K18 at 4.

[LRBTODAY]

Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked

I'd have to think about it, but my feelings on NBA 2K's ratings depend on team gameplay, features, and then everything else. Most comments about 2K seem to be geared towards MyPlayer/microtransations/MyTeam. For me, I tend to lean into MyEra more with the addition of Share Scenarios, etc. Switching to PC has increased my love for the franchise due to the mods, and it helps that the gameplay has become rich in authenticity in my opinion.

[gr18]

Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked

1.'23

2.'11

3.'16

4.'19

5.'14

[Jumpman232]

Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked

1. 2K11
2. 2K25
3. 2K10
4. 2K14
5. 2K16
6. 2K20
7. 2K8

[ggsimmonds]

Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked

Are there any of the older games where you can still play the myCareer mode after the servers were taken down?

[vetmin]

Re: 10 Best NBA 2K Games, Ranked

Are there any of the older games where you can still play the myCareer mode after the servers were taken down?

I believe 2K17 was the last to natively support offline MyCAREER. Here's a recent video someone did of 2K17 MyCAREER with Ja Morant as the MyPLAYER:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T6HewT4moUU?si=5lruQYVdG9tD-liv" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That said, community-made MyCAREER unlockers have been made for subsequent titles, and (as far as I know) the most recent MyCAREER you can play offline is 2K22 on PC. I know there's an unlocker for 2K21 as well, and there are probably tools for 2K18–20, but I haven't checked to be sure.

EDIT: Note that with these unlockers, and even with native offline MyCAREER, there can be limitations. I don't know what the last 2K was where MyCAREER offline was as fully featured as online. Maybe you'd have to go back to PS3 era, but I'm not sure.