2K maintains their quality with their new basketball game
NBA 2K16 continues to bring us, year after year, a realistic basketball experience. But beyond its teams, next generation graphics, and plethora of modes, this year the famed basketball simulator is notable for something else: the new Career Mode. Is this what we’ve been waiting for?
The NBA experience you’ve been looking for
Whereas other editions of NBA 2K focused on improving their graphics and playability, the 2K16 edition goes beyond: a reformulation of the My Career mode.
In last years iteration you could begin by losing the draft and having to work up to being hired by an NBA team, but this year 2K Sports took it much farther by putting you in the shoes of a university student just starting to get noticed by universities and the draft alike, ready to be noticed and become an NBA legend.
Now don’t think you have to play a complete year of university basketball under the NCAA (perhaps next year…) but you are at least given the chance to summarize it in four matches with the appropriate corresponding rules.
2K Sports didn’t just want to make this aspect more professional, but also wanted to follow the player in his day-to-day life. A welcome surprise, since the Career Mode is directed by Spike Lee, you’ll find yourself thrown into an unimaginable series of events.
You begin as the son of a poor African American family from a run-down neighborhood with a twin sister who teaches you basketball. You’ll also come across plenty of cinematic scenes of your parents talking up what a nice boy you are, of course, not to mention how much you’ve sacrificed. Topics that, if you have the game scan your face or you pick a different ethnicity, are likely to come across quite strange. You can always wave it away as a fluke of genetics, but it can easily result in awkwardness.
Despite these hiccups, My Career continues to be a good mode with fresh ideas, though it would’ve been nice to be able to interact with the story characters. You will at least get the chance to make important professional decisions in the course of your story however. As a plus, you also get to experience cameos from real players who offer you their assistance throughout the course of your adventure. How would you like to have Stephen Curry be your mentor?
Even though the new My Career mode is a great base for NBA 2K16, rest assured that 2K Games hasn’t rested on its laurels for the other modes. You’ll also find My Team, similar to Ultimate Team from
As far as teams are concerned, you’ll not only find all the usual teams from the actual NBA, but you’ll also get 12 classic teams, like the Dallas Mavericks from 2003 and the Portland Trail Blazers from 2000 as a bonus. Fans of European basketball aren’t left out either, you’ll find the same 25 teams from the Euroleague that we already saw in
Impeccable yet again
2K Sports continues to tweak NBA 2K and in this version we find two new and interesting changes. On one hand, “strong” defense and the ability to attack are handled by the same button, which makes both techniques much more intuitive.
On the other hand, if you hold down one of the buttons continuously you’ll see a basketball symbol showing you the possible passes and movements of certain players (assigned by button). This makes it much easier for the player visualize all the possible plays and to pull off impressive assists.
We would be remiss if we didn’t also mention the graphical aspects of NBA 2K16. 2K Sports brings it yet again, offering up detailed courts and amazing facial animations for players that could quite possibly be the most realistic we’ve seen in a sports game. Though we’d like to mention that it’s more noteworthy on the Xbox 720 and PS4; this year they’ve dropped the ball a bit with their PC “port”.
NBA season returns
NBA 2K16 shows itself once again to be absolutely required for fans of simulated basketball. Its rich selection of modes, realism, and nods to the past make it a very tempting title.
Most true-to-life NBA experience
The NBA 2K franchise is back with the most true-to-life NBA experience to date with NBA 2K16. Featuring an all-new MyCAREER experience written, directed and produced by acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee. Guide your MyPLAYER through the complete NBA journey, take control of an entire NBA franchise, or hone your skills online competing against gamers from around the world. With animations that provide smoother movement and more realistic articulation, and a unique cover design featuring NBA stars Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis and James Harden, it’s certain to be the most authentic NBA gaming experience yet.
MyCAREER – A SPIKE LEE JOINT
Our most intense first-person narrative to date, written and directed by Spike Lee. For the first time, manage your off days and earn bonus content through connections, endorsements and a live practice environment.
2K Pro-Am
A groundbreaking new mode featuring fully customizable teams and 5v5 tournaments livestreamed on NBA 2KTV. Join forces with friends to create the perfect squad all the way down to custom logos, uniforms & arenas, or walk on and join any open game.
ENHANCED GAMEPLAY
A new motion engine generates smarter, hyper-realistic movement plus new ball & rim physics and player collisions, leading to a more intense and authentic on-court experience.
PLAY NOW ONLINE
This year, online head-to-head games matter. For the first time, your online head-to-head record will determine whether or not you advance to higher levels. As you level up, you’ll unlock some of the greatest teams from NBA history to use in your games.
FEATURED DJs
DJ Khaled, DJ Mustard and DJ Premier produce our biggest soundtrack to date, featuring 50 dynamic tracks across 5 playlists and exclusive cuts from each DJ.
PLAY WITH MODERN LEGENDS
Step onto the court with 12 new legendary teams, including some of the most epic squads from the past 15 years.
MyPARK
Break ankles, drop dimes and create a street legacy at one of three newly enhanced parks. Show off your game to the world in new live-streamed competitive events.
MyTEAM
Collect past and present NBA players and customize your perfect team to go head-to-head in one of five unique game modes. Enjoy an all-new 3-on-3 online street mode called The Gauntlet, take your team online in Road to the Playoffs, face off against exclusive lineups in Challenges, or dominate current and historic NBA teams in Domination. Cards and game modes update dynamically throughout the season, ensuring a new experience every time you play.
MyLEAGUE
Custom build the league you want. For the first time, MyLEAGUE Online allows you to create an online league with friends and gamers from around the world. Play a single season, or up to an 80-year franchise. Virtually every detail of your league is in your hands.
MyGM
A completely re-imagined franchise experience, the immersion and depth of MyGM has been elevated to new heights. New features for NBA 2K16 include team relocation, Advanced Team Building, Summer Leagues, 3-team trades, and much more.
NBA 2KTV
2K’s groundbreaking weekly TV show INSIDE a videogame returns for a second season. Featuring special appearances from NBA stars, coaches and celebrities, game tips with NBA 2K16 producers, user generated content & livestreamed competitions, and exclusive locker code giveaways.
