NBA 2K is back for another season, and they have gone the extra mile to create some brand-new experiences for players as well as expand on some player favourites. With new game modes, unheard-of levels of customization and revamped gameplay, gamers of every level will have something to be excited about in NBA 2K27.
2K Sports has been at this for a long time, and NBA 2K27 is the most recent in a long line of sports games where they’ve shown that they are listening to fans and giving them what they are looking for. First among those is an endless barrage of game modes, with MyCAREER, MyNBA, MyWNBA, MyTEAM and the brand-new MyCAREER Eras.
MyCAREER in NBA 2K27 takes you through a complete storyline, called Fire & Concrete, where you take your MyPLAYER through every life decision faced by an NBA player to create your very own legacy within the league. Every decision has stakes, and so does your gameplay when you happen to get some court time, so make the most of it. This level of Career mode, complete with cutscenes, was a little too much for my taste, when I usually just want to sneak in a quick game between writing reviews (don’t tell the editors).
“This was by far my favourite mode; between the classic names and the retro look and feel, it made this old gamer feel at home.”
If you are more interested in being the best in the NBA, MyCAREER Eras pits you up against some of the greatest generations of players in the league’s history. Go toe to toe with LeBron or Steph at their peak, find yourself between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, or square off against Michael Jordan himself to put yourself in the G.O.A.T. conversation. This was by far my favourite mode; between the classic names and the retro look and feel, it made this old gamer feel at home.
MyPLAYER is the most robust build-a-player that NBA 2K has ever seen. In NBA 2K27, you can keep it simple by building off of existing player blueprints, or get really into the weeds where you can tweak countless skillsets and disciplines to create a player that feels as unique as you want them to be. And, for the first time ever, you can create a female MyPLAYER to use in The City.
In NBA 2K27, your MyPLAYER can evolve even more naturally with the use of badges and badge tokens. Equip your favourite combo of the 53 available badges (including 19 brand-new ones) to modify your attributes and progress them beyond your limits. You can become one of the most well-rounded players, or a master in one discipline. The choice is yours.
MyNBA, the mode that is most my speed, lets you create a 100-year dynasty as you run every aspect of your team. They’ve improved free agency and contracts, they’ve updated the All-Star Weekend, lets you, as an owner, have a hand in changing league rules, and 20 other massive upgrades to make this an incredibly immersive experience, all while letting you enjoy what you love most… the game.
The City gets a bit of a facelift in NBA 2K27 as well. In addition to the inclusion of female players, you have a ton of environments to explore when playing The REC, like a high school gym, a crowded arena, or rotating season-themed venues. In Street Kings, you’ll find yourself in The Hollows, Clairemont Court, and New York’s legendary Rucker Park, while you work with your crew to take on CPU bosses.
Are you as good at these games as I am (read: ok at best), then Casual Corner might be more your speed where you can play some online pickup games in 3v3 and 5v5 modes with friends or strangers, graduating from PvE games to Player vs Player. It’s a great way to sneak in some fast-paced play with other people without worrying about being dominated by sweats.
“NBA 2K27 has proven to be another solid addition to the franchise and should keep you plenty busy for the NBA season to come.”
The most significant update to MyTEAM in NBA 2K27 is the fact that, for the first time ever, you can exchange unlimited player cards for rewards, which can include cards from past seasons. You’ll never be stuck with anything holding your team back from being the best it can be. The multiplayer modes in MyTEAM will rotate between Triple Threat Online, Clutch Time Online, and new modes that will rotate in and out as the seasons go by. I love MyTEAM for the strategy, and some people make a career of just this mode, which should be easy this year with all the updates.
Getting to the actual mechanics of the game, NBA 2K27’s ProPLAY gives you all kinds of new opportunities, with new creative offensive moves like the step-through up-and-under, new ways to contest shots on defense, and overall just better and more fluid gameplay that looks and feels more like the real thing. Some of the functions are a bit of a learning curve for those not super well versed in the game, but 2K lets you come into those skills by playing with basic controls and picking up the new stuff as you go without feeling like you were losing anything.
The best thing about these games right now is that not only have they created so many modes to increase the replay factor, they have stretched out your favourite modes in a way where the first playthrough doesn’t end for a very long time, and that was something that I was sorely missing. Don’t feel pressure to master every mode. Some people will never even start most of them, but still have a fulfilling experience with NBA 2K27.
The game comes in Standard, Deluxe and UItra Editions (see our preview article for more information on those) ranging from $69.99 USD to $149.99 USD. While there are extras that you get as you keep upgrading, be mindful of what modes those extras are for, and whether they are even important to you.
I would argue that the average user will be more than content with the standard edition, but someone really wanting to dive into the entirety of the game will find value in the Deluxe and Ultra Editions, with the extra VC (virtual currency) and other add-ons that they provide. NBA 2K27 has proven to be another solid addition to the franchise and should keep you plenty busy for the NBA season to come.
