NBA 2K19 Review: 6 Ups & 2 Downs

Familiar flaws return, but 2K's 20th anniversary delivers.

by Andy H Murray
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2K Sports

With the 2018-19 NBA season not tipping off until 16 October, basketball junkies are left to get their hoops fix through the digital realm, and to the surprise of absolutely nobody familiar with the series, NBA 2K19 is another triumph for developers Visual Concepts.

NBA 2K, like most sporting franchises, delivers quiet, subtle improvements over outright revolution every year. The latest entry in the series brings sharper A.I., a number of notable offensive and defensive adjustments, and the new Takeover system to the table, along with the usual graphical tweaks and stat upgrades. Is it enough to justify paying full price for? That's in the eye of the beholder, but it's hard to imagine the series' core audience being disappointed with what 2K19 brings to the table.

Though EA's NBA Live 19 made a significant leap in quality this year, 2K remains the market leader. Its consistency, elite presentation, and variety are unmatched. Now, on the series' 20th anniversary, Visual Concepts have delivered 2K's most authentic entry yet, though a couple of notable bugbears prevent a perfect score.

NBA 2K19 won't surprise you, but it's hard to argue with gameplay this good...

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.