When I sat down with NBA 2K26 for the first time, I had the same cautious optimism I’ve carried into every new entry in this series. I’ve been playing since the first 2K on Dreamcast in ’99. Most years, it’s familiar with a couple new wrinkles, and every so often, it still surprises me. NBA 2K26 is no exception, and after spending more than a dozen hours with it so far, I can say it’s the little details that have convinced me to keep playing.

The most immediate difference compared to last year is the shot meter. Last year’s NBA 2K25 had that nightmare dial, arrow, and ring system, and if you played it, you know how badly it messed with timing. In NBA 2K26, that’s gone. What we’ve got now is a curved bar that feels smooth, readable, and way closer to what players have been asking for. It’s similar to NBA 2K23’s, but it isn’t a straight copy, as this one adjusts depending on defensive coverage. If someone is smothering you, the green release zone shrinks down to a sliver. If you’re wide open, the meter rewards you with a fat green window. I’ve been greening more shots than I could last year, but here’s the catch: if you’re even a little early or late, you’re bricking. There’s no bailout here. Personally, I love it because it makes hitting a jumper feel rewarded, but it also forces you to dial in every single possession.

Movement is the other area that flips the script. NBA 2K25’s movement felt like dragging weights on your ankles. Running fast breaks felt sluggish, defending on the perimeter was clunky, and off-ball cuts had that stiff, robotic vibe. In NBA 2K26, Visual Concepts finally fixed it with the ProPLAY motion engine, which is powered by real NBA footage. The difference is immediate: players cut with intent, defensive slides track smoother, and sprinting into space actually feels like sprinting. I’ve been hammering transition plays, and for once, they feel alive instead of canned animations. Every mode benefits from this, from casual play to MyNBA, and it sets the stage for deeper mechanics like rhythm shooting.

Speaking of rhythm shooting, this is one of the most rewarding tweaks in the whole game. Shot timing isn’t only about watching the meter anymore. Now, tempo and body motion change based on how you release the ball. If you’re smooth, your shooter looks natural, and the jumper flows. If you’re rushed, the upper body jerks awkwardly, and you can tell before the ball even leaves their hands that it’s a miss. It makes you focus on both the visuals and the meter at the same time, and when you sync them up, it feels great.

Then there’s the new Go-To Post Shots, and let me tell you, I’ve been abusing them. Last year, in NBA 2K25, I was frustrated that I couldn’t reliably dominate the paint with players like Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid. In NBA 2K26, that gap has been closed. Jokic’s Sombor Shuffle is fully realized and feels authentic in motion, while Embiid’s shimmy fadeaway is present and devastating when executed with proper timing. I’ve been hammering the Sombor Shuffle possession after possession, and until the AI learns to adjust, it results in uncontested buckets. For the first time in years, controlling a post-dominant big actually feels powerful and true to the way these stars play in real life.

Visually, NBA 2K26 is on another level compared to last year. Arenas look alive in ways they never did before. The Los Angeles Clippers’ “Wall” stand has been recreated perfectly, towering over the court, and the Detroit Pistons’ courtside lounge behind the baseline feels exactly like the VIP setup it’s meant to be. Courts themselves gleam with more realistic wood grain, and the lighting changes make each arena feel unique. Player models are sharper, with new skin shaders, better muscle definition, and sweat that forms naturally during games and carries over into post-game interviews. Watching a player wipe sweat off their face while answering questions looks more real than anything the series has pulled off before.

But not everything’s polished. The halftime show continues to be a weak link. It’s still stiff, overly scripted, and awkward. One sequence in particular, a guy riding a motorcycle onto the court, pulled me right out of the immersion. Compared to the stunning on-court visuals, these halftime segments look dated and clunky.

Balance is another issue. Centers feel way too strong right now. In one match, we went down 17–0 early because the opposing team had three tall players blocking everything at the rim. I watched a teammate go up for a perfectly timed green layup, only for all three defenders to contest it at once, and any one of them could have swatted it. It was ridiculous. We adjusted and clawed back in the second half, but the dominance of bigs was clear. Unless this gets patched, online play could turn into a battle of who has the tallest squad rather than who has the best strategy.

Offline content hasn’t improved much either. Last year, NBA 2K25 at least gave us the Steph Era in MyNBA, which felt redundant but still new. In NBA 2K26, MyNBA is basically the same, and the only addition in MyGM is something called Offseason Scenarios. At the start of each offseason, you get three tasks to satisfy the owner and fans, but they feel forced and unrealistic. The RPG-style perks and attribute systems are still there, but they don’t change outcomes in a meaningful way. In the end, it’s still all about winning games or tanking, and the mode feels like filler rather than a deep franchise experience.

And I haven’t even gotten to fully test MyCareer or MyTeam yet, because the servers only went live with early access. I’ve been spending time in MyNBA and MyWNBA instead, but the meat of the online experience is still waiting. Given that NBA 2K25 scored a 7 on release back on September 13, 2024, with praise for restoring the Auction House in MyTeam but heavy criticism for microtransactions, I’m watching closely to see how NBA 2K26 handles progression this year.

Angel Reese is featured as one of the NBA 2K26 cover stars, a specific choice that highlights the growing presence of the women’s game within the series and extends visibility for WNBA athletes. Early access began on September 5, 2025, for those who purchased the Superstar Edition or the Leave No Doubt Edition, and as more players outside these editions join the servers, the full scope of the online experience will become clearer.

From what I’ve played so far, NBA 2K26 feels miles ahead of 2K25 on the court. The curved shot meter completely changes shooting by tying accuracy to defensive pressure, movement is sharper and more natural with the ProPLAY motion engine, and Go-To Post Shots finally give big men like Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid their full power with authentic moves like the Sombor Shuffle and the shimmy fadeaway. The visuals are the best in the series, but the halftime presentation lags behind, and offline modes still disappoint. Balance is shaky, with centers currently overpowered, and the real test will come when servers fill up and microtransactions show their hand. But for now, as a player who’s lived and breathed this series year after year, I can say NBA 2K26 feels like the first time in a while that the game respects both the court and the player.

Presentation

88

NBA 2K26 delivers lifelike arenas with details like the Clippers’ “Wall” stand and Pistons’ courtside lounge, unique wood grain floors, and refined lighting. Player models feature sharper skin shaders, improved muscle tone, and sweat that builds realistically during games and stays in post-game interviews.

Gameplay

90

The new ProPLAY motion engine makes movement, cutting, and defense fluid and realistic compared to NBA 2K25. The curved shot meter adapts to defensive pressure, rhythm shooting rewards timing, and signature moves like Jokic’s Sombor Shuffle and Embiid’s shimmy fadeaway finally feel authentic, though centers dominate too easily.

Single Player

85

MyCareer’s “Out of Bounds” storyline reacts to player performance, and The City is easier to navigate. MyNBA and MyGM add little, with Offseason Scenarios that feel unrealistic and perk systems that don’t meaningfully affect results.

Multiplayer

87

MyTeam integrates NBA and WNBA players with equalized ratings for new lineup variety. Matchmaking and balance show improvement, but server testing only began with early access on September 5, 2025.

Performance

86

On PlayStation 5, the game runs at a stable 60 FPS with strong animations and rendering. PC versions have minor issues but no major crashes or severe bugs so far.

Overall

89

NBA 2K26 improves on NBA 2K25 with smoother motion, a smarter shot meter, and more realistic arenas and players. Offline modes still lack depth, and center balance is a concern, but overall, it’s the best entry in years.