NBA 2K24

NBA 2K24

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IXE Games & App Reviews
August 18, 2025 (23 hours ago)

NBA 2K24, developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports, goes beyond being just another sports title. Released in September 2023, it celebrates the legendary Kobe Bryant and introduces new technology like ProPLAY to offer a more realistic basketball experience. Featuring modes like MyCAREER, MyTEAM, MyNBA, and The City, the game aims to satisfy both casual fans and competitive players.

While NBA 2K24 brings innovation and polish, it also continues to face criticism in areas like monetization and gameplay balance. Let’s take a closer look at what the game does well—and where it still needs improvement.

1. Honoring Kobe Bryant: The Mamba Legacy

NBA 2K24 features Kobe Bryant as its cover athlete, with dedicated content that pays tribute to his career.

Mamba Moments: Players can relive iconic games, including Kobe’s 81-point game. This mode captures his style, intensity, and signature moves.
Presentation: The game uses authentic jerseys, vintage broadcast graphics, and period-correct visuals to enhance the experience.
Legacy Feel: Kobe’s influence is visible throughout, offering a respectful and polished homage.

2. ProPLAY: A New Era of Animation

ProPLAY, available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, replaces traditional motion capture with real NBA broadcast footage to power player animations.

Lifelike Movement: Player motions, such as dribbling and shooting, now feel smoother and more accurate.
Star Styles: Animations for players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry reflect their real-life techniques.
Next-Gen Only: ProPLAY is not available on PC or older consoles, making the gap between generations more noticeable.

3. Core Gameplay: Improved, but Not Perfect

Gameplay in NBA 2K24 has been refined, with enhancements that bring more control and better pacing.

What's Better: Adrenaline boosts reduce dribble spamming; shot timing and contest systems are more balanced; foot planting is improved.
Still Lacking: Some animations (like layups) feel stiff. Online latency and AI inconsistencies continue to impact certain modes like MyCAREER and The City.
Overall, the core experience feels more realistic, though not without flaws.

4. MyCAREER: Immersive Progression, Heavy Grind

MyCAREER returns with an updated storyline, side quests, and RPG elements. Players step into the shoes of “MP,” a young star rising through the league.

Progression: Includes choice-driven narrative, agent management, and brand partnerships.
Grind vs. Monetization: Upgrades and cosmetics require Virtual Currency (VC), which can be earned slowly or bought with real money. This creates a barrier for progression unless players invest significant time or money.
While storytelling has improved, the heavy reliance on VC may limit enjoyment for casual players.

5. The City: More Streamlined, Still Unbalanced

The open-world multiplayer hub known as The City has been redesigned to be more efficient and accessible.

Design Upgrades: Smaller map, quicker travel, and improved event access.
Seasonal Rewards: Players can earn cosmetics and boosts through challenges.
Ongoing Issues: Pay-to-win concerns remain, as VC continues to affect player competitiveness.
Despite improvements, The City still favors players who spend more.

6. MyTEAM: New Format, Familiar Monetization

MyTEAM introduces structural changes like Salary Cap mode and removes contracts, giving players more freedom.

What's New: Players can now enjoy tier-based competition and crossplay between PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
The Problem: Card packs still rely heavily on random chance, and frequent updates make older cards less useful, pushing users toward microtransactions.
For collectors, it’s entertaining. For competitive players, it remains a grind.

7. MyNBA & Eras Mode: A Deep Dive into NBA History

Franchise mode fans will appreciate MyNBA Eras, which now includes a new LeBron Era alongside previous ones like the Jordan and Kobe eras.

Simulation Depth: Includes historic drafts, team expansion, and retro visuals.
Creative Freedom: Players can rewrite history, change trades, or shift legacies.
This remains one of the most detailed sports simulation modes, though often overshadowed by online gameplay.

8. Visuals & Sound: Immersive from Tip-Off to Buzzer

NBA 2K24 offers visual and audio upgrades that make each match feel dynamic.

Graphics: Improved lighting, more lifelike player models, and realistic arena environments.
Sound: Dynamic commentary, crowd interactions, and a soundtrack featuring top artists like Drake and J. Cole.
These upgrades bring a next-level atmosphere, especially on newer consoles.

9. Crossplay & Platform Differences

For the first time, NBA 2K24 offers crossplay between next-gen platforms, improving multiplayer matchmaking.

Supported Platforms: Crossplay works for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. It’s not available on PS4, PC, or Nintendo Switch.
PC Limitations: PC players still use a last-gen version of the game.
Accessibility: Includes visual aids and remappable controls, but lacks robust difficulty scaling options.
Crossplay is a welcome feature, but platform gaps still divide the player base.

Final Verdict: Should You Play NBA 2K24?

NBA 2K24 honors Kobe Bryant with care and introduces promising new tech like ProPLAY. The gameplay is more refined, and legacy modes like MyNBA offer exceptional depth. However, monetization issues and platform disparities remain concerns.

If you’re a returning fan, NBA 2K24 offers enough new content to make it worth exploring. For new players, it delivers a solid basketball experience—especially on next-gen hardware.