2K’s annual NBA game series returns in NBA 2K19 out now on PC and console. Providing players with it’s almost always acclaimed story mode, a prelude, and some gameplay tweaks, this year’s edition of NBA 2K is shaping up to be one of the best, but it still holds itself back with issues from previous installments.

NBA 2K19 is a 2018 basketball game, it is developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports, it is currently available on PC, Console, and mobile platforms.

Editor’s Note: An Xbox One review copy of NBA 2K19 Anniversary Edition was provided by 2K Sports in support of this review.

Let your opponents know your name in NBA 2K19.

Highly regarded as one of if not the best basketball simulators of our time, 2K’s NBA video game franchise is back with it’s killer gameplay, well written story, and a super fun prelude mode. In NBA 2K19 you once again play as a rookie basketball player looking to gain fame and fortune on the professional court as he works his way from the streets on up.

Despite it’s clear issues NBA 2K remains as the best NBA video game series on the market.

THE GOOD: If you’ve managed to get your hands on at least the last few entries of 2K Sports’ NBA franchise then odds are you know what to expect when a new one releases. Great gameplay, solid to splendid storytelling with the MyCareer mode, and some fairly challenging difficulty with it’s AI. NBA 2K also boasts an impressive enough character creator mode (if you have the points necessary to upgrade your player). In MyCareer mode you start off as an NBA hopeful under the in-game name of “A.I.” looking to get drafted into the big leagues. After failing to get picked up by a team your career begins in Shanghai, China and you work your way up from the bottom of the top hoping to get into the league. You come across in-game rival Corey Harris whom you played college ball with before going about your NBA inspirations.

Jump into the full game where you left off from in NBA 2K19’s Prelude.

There’s multiple modes to play in 2K19 such as the aforementioned MyCareer, MyTeam, MyLeague, Blacktop, and NBA Today just to name a few. The latter of which allows you to relive real-life NBA games from present and past. As someone who is fairly new to sports games even with the several I’ve played throughout the years I have to commend 2K for making the NBA 2K series so easy to pick up, play, and learn compared to other sports titles. It’s a real plus for getting into & enjoying the experience especially with a strong story for MyCareer backing it up.

NBA 2K19’s easy playability makes it attractive to any level of player.

THE BAD: The microtransactions are just as bad as ever and unless you’re spending a ton of cash real character growth and advancement for your created player can feel like it’s taken forever to really get anywhere. That’s of course if you haven’t already planned on spending several hours at a time on the game.

Character progression remains a huge issue for NBA 2K19.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: NBA 2K19 continues the expected quality of 2K’s long-running sports serious for the most part. The microtransactions are still an absolute pain, but outside of that the newest efforts from NBA 2K are fairly solid. The story for MyCareer is fun to experience and the learning curve is very respectable to new players.