If there is one certainty in life, it’s that another year means another new annual sports title. I tend to pick them up every year, but this is the first time I’ve had the chance to review one. NBA 2K26 is the next iteration of the long-standing NBA 2K series, developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K.

Annual sports releases focus on minor improvements, unlike your other favourite game series, which focus on major upgrades. After all, it’s hard to drastically alter a sports game when the sport itself doesn’t change. Only rosters, win-loss records, championships, and cover athletes differ, and this year sees last season’s MVP and Finals MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, on the cover.

And this year, the most significant improvement is the enhanced ProPLAY engine, which makes player movements on the court feel more lifelike than ever. Tie this together with refined shooting mechanics, and every shot, drive to the bucket, or pick and roll now feels smoother than I’ve ever felt in a 2K game.

This year, I started with MyCAREER instead of my usual MyGM route, and I found myself enjoying the Out of Bounds storyline leading up to the draft. Your protagonist, known in-game as MP, hails from a small rural town, which is often overlooked by scouts who typically focus on talent from big cities. Once discovered, you grind your way through the ranks to eventually earn a shot at the NBA Draft. It’s a classic underdog story, but one I found myself vibing with as it’s easy to root for your MyPLAYER to succeed.

Your MyPLAYER begins at a humbling 60 overall, and this is where the most painful part of the experience is for me. The grind. Progress is made within the City, which once again serves as a hub for microtransactions. Sure, you can level up without spending a dime, but the sheer amount of time required makes it feel nearly impossible for anyone with adult responsibilities.

That said, the City remains the fun playground it has always been. A social hub for you to showcase your character, play pickup basketball, whether that’s 1v1 all the way up to 5v5, or play 3v3 and 5v5 ranked Pro-Am games. New to the City this year is the addition of Crews, which are essentially clans that allow you to form with friends to earn rewards together.

Upon heading back to the other game modes, I finally dived into MyGM, taking charge of the 18-time champions, the Boston Celtics. This year introduces scripted GM scenarios to work through. However, I still find myself preferring the tried-and-true sandbox approach, tinkering with the roster and attempting to build the most unrealistic yet unstoppable franchise possible. I didn’t have enough time during the review period to see my vision fully come to life, but it’s a mode I’m eager to invest more hours in over the months ahead.

Finally, we have MyTEAM, which introduces WNBA players to the mode for the first time, providing fantastic representation for the women’s game. Collect cards to create the best team you can or just your favourite players, it’s up to you. These modes aren’t usually my go-to when I play these games. The flashiness has never really been my thing, but I can still have a good time playing it.

Within MyTEAM, there are several modes to explore. Triple Threat Park stands out, offering slick 3v3 or 2v2 matches with friends on a beautifully designed court. Beyond that, the mode also includes the usual staples alongside a roguelite breakout mode that adds a fun twist to your MyTEAM cards by slowly upgrading them.

Outside of the core modes, there is still PlayNow, which allows you to drop into any matchup your mind can come up with. Under MyNBA, you can also find MyGM, as well as MyNBA, which allows you to play a full season or just start at the playoffs if you wish. There is a plethora of modes in this game, so there is something for everyone.

It wouldn’t be a sports game without the insane, life-like models of the athletes, cause graphically it’s insane. On the court, I can see Jason Tatum’s sweat beading on his forehead as he takes free throws. It’s an insane level of detail. Outside of the court, in the City, or during cutscenes in the Out of Bounds story mode, the models can leave a little bit to be desired. For example, the video outside your apartment is a real still image of LA. It’s a strange choice to me, but not a deal breaker.

NBA 2K26 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to; it focuses on building on what works while improving areas that could use improvement. Even microtransactions cannot detract from a fantastic MyCAREER mode, and fluid, responsive controls, along with the updated ProPLAY engine, make this the premium basketball game for yet another year.

Written by: Dylan Kocins