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Booting up NBA 2K games brought up plenty of good times. From the thrill of playing your favorite team and trying to win a game, there was just so much adrenaline. It was fun whether you’re playing solo or against a friend. But nowadays, with everything so expensive, it’s worth wondering whether it’s still worth getting the new games.
The Upcoming NBA 2K27
NBA 2K27 is the latest addition to NBA 2K’s long line of games. Most new releases typically come out in September of their respective year, but there’s still very little information on when it’s coming out.
In 2025, news surfaced that 2K Games was eyeing a college basketball video game series, but it’s unclear whether it will still be released. There’s also little news on whether it will be integrated into NBA 2K27 or get its own separate title. 2K26 did feature a season update that added 16 universities to its game modes.
The supports behind NBA 2K are a varied bunch. It has consistently appealed to fans in other countries by featuring their homegrown talents in the league. You also have video game enthusiasts and general NBA fanatics who are ready to purchase the upcoming game.
The NBA 2K26 Cover and Editions
The NBA 2K26 is the latest title that you can buy as of writing, and it’s gotten plenty of good reviews so far. Here are some of the editions you could get while waiting for further releases:
The Standard Edition
The standard edition offers the base game. This NBA 2K cover features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was awarded as the 2024-25 KIA Most Valuable Player and NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. If you want to avoid purchasing extra content, this pack is ideal.
The WNBA Edition
The NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition is ideal if you want to play some of the best female athletes in the league. The cover features Angel Reese, who rose from a phenomenal rookie season to being one of the most dominant WNBA players.
The Superstar Edition
The Superstar Edition features Carmelo Anthony in his iconic New York Knicks outfit, honoring his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. It held appeal by offering early access in the past. That said, you still get a good amount of virtual currency, which can help in your MyTeam or MyCareer journey.
The Leave No Doubt Edition
The Leave No Doubt Edition features all the basketball superstars in previous editions alongside some exceptional talents from the season. Known as the most expensive option, you get a premium pass for each season, which is perfect for avid players.
Is NBA 2K Still Worth Buying?
Everyone has their own opinion on whether a game is worth buying. But in the case of NBA2K, where a new version comes out every year, it is easy to start questioning whether the latest one is worth buying.
Fans are pretty divided on getting it, simply because it feels like it’s past its prime. NBA 2K25 wasn’t remotely impressive—if anything, it made the experience worse than the previous 2K games. The MyPlayer feature was wonky if you didn’t build your character design from scratch. There was little point in creating your own build when Pro-Tuned options are already available.
Plus, the number of microtransactions possible goes crazy. One player paid up to $32,000 and didn’t even get a complete set of the best cards available, so it’s not even a pay-to-win scheme.
That said, people will likely still hold on to hope for the new NBA 2K games. While NBA 2K26 wasn’t superbly exceptional, it did tweak and improve the playing experience compared to the last year. Plus, there are several other reasons like:
To See Player and Roster Changes
Look, part of the reason why NBA 2K has been so popular is that seeing all the new players and rosters in-game is like cementing a piece of history. And considering the past year’s trades and tags, it’s definitely worth getting a memento of your favorite team if they’ve stepped up.
If you want to use players like Shaq, Kobe and other superteams, you may prefer the early versions of the 2000s over this recent one. That said, don’t discount the up-and-coming stars of this generation.
To Maintain Game Modes
New game modes can be one of the best moves in NBA 2K history. Options like MyCareer and MyTeam are still used to test and empower your leadership in achieving an NBA Finals berth, which is a great challenge. Plus, there are still new features like putting your MyPlayer character into other game modes.
To Improve Motion and Buildup
While NBA 2K25 brought its own visual upgrades and improved dribbling, it also came with a variety of problems. NBA 2K26 has ironed out most of them, especially the common complaint that the shooting and release mechanics feel a little jankier.
Granted, it is fun to conquer the learning curve of this game. And with new player stats and build changes reflecting their seasonal performance, you just have to learn the best timing and positioning for each one.
To Build Up Your Collection
If you’ve been collecting NBA 2K games for the past two decades, each release may offer some slight sentimental value for you. Having a collection of something that personally makes you happy is also pretty awesome, and it’s enough of a reason to pick up NBA 2K26.
To Still Enjoy Basketball Games
If you want a hyper-realistic basketball video game, NBA 2K is the best and latest option. Most people can only turn to retro basketball games like NBA Jam and Barkley Shut Up and Jam. Even with new releases like Hoopland, it does feel like it’s emulating that vintage arcade style.
You could still turn to other NBA-adjacent options, like EA’s NBA Live or the mobile NBA 2K game. That said, it does come with limitations, such as platform and playability.
Keep Enjoying the Game in 2026
NBA 2K can still be worth the purchase for many enthusiasts, simply for the love of the game. That said, if you’re looking for any special iterations, there’s little incentive that comes to mind. You could bundle it with other 2K games like WWE and PGA Tour, or simply wait a bit for discounts to come on their respective platforms.
Eye your favorite edition and stick with that. That way, you can have fun and play ball on your own terms.
