NBA 2K23

What to Know

Critics Recommend

Average Score

Total Reviews: 41

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NBA 2K23 is a return to form for the series, featuring impressive graphics and various improvements to shooting physics, defense, and the fluidity of movement, even though pay-to-win microtransactions remain a nuisance.

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Critics Recommend

Critic Reviews: 41

Critics Consensus

# Reviews: 41

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Awards & Recognition

Critic Reviews for NBA 2K23

Critic Reviews

Score Distribution

41

Reviews

Average Score - 80/100

80%

Ranges

6/10

Ben Vollmer (IGN)

NBA 2K23’s on-court improvements should’ve led it to an easy layup, but the ever-present nuisance of pay-to-win microtransactions make it much harder to enjoy.

September 14, 2022 |

Full Review

No sports game gets the past right quite like NBA 2K23 – and its present-day immersiveness is incredibly powerful, too.

September 14, 2022 |

Full Review

4/5 stars

Ryan Conway (GamesRadar+)

79/100

Michael Chow (COGconnected)

Overall, NBA 2K23 has some of the best gameplay in an NBA 2K game. While the MyPlayer mode is a bit of a shadow of its former self, the various additions and changes to MyTeam and MyNBA make up for it overall. Despite being on point in most areas, the Virtual Currency situation will definitely affect players’ enjoyment of the game. While the term “pay to win” does come to mind, NBA2K23’s gameplay and various modes are still very well done.

September 21, 2022 |

Full Review

Ben Vollmer (IGN)

6/10 - (Read Review)

NBA 2K23’s on-court improvements should’ve led it to an easy layup, but the ever-present nuisance of pay-to-win microtransactions make it much harder to enjoy.

Ryan Conway (GamesRadar+)

4/5 stars - (Read Review)

No sports game gets the past right quite like NBA 2K23 – and its present-day immersiveness is incredibly powerful, too.

Michael Chow (COGconnected)

79/100 - (Read Review)

**Read all 41 critic reviews on the desktop version of VSG.

Read the Reviews (41 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
Atomix	Ernesto Olicón	85 / 100	09-12-2022	Despite its heavy focus on microtransactions, NBA 2K23 is the basketball game that sports fans have been waiting for for a long time.	Read review
Attack of the Fanboy	Shaun Cichacki	4.5 / 5 stars	09-09-2022	NBA 2K23 does a killer job of opening the floor to those that are new to the franchise, or those returning for their umpteenth time. With gorgeous visuals that help solidify this as one of the best-looking games of the generation so far, to controls that let you feel like a pro, there’s very little to complain about here.	Read review
BaziCenter	Amin Bala Zadeh	9.5 / 10	09-19-2022	Developing a new title in the sports genre every year and improving at the same time is a real challenge for any company, but Visual Concepts managed to create a true 9th generation experience with NBA 2K23, offering solid visuals, stunning animations and tons of content while staying loyal to simulation gameplay. It is safe to say that the king is back.	Read review
Bazimag	Vahid Zohrabi Nejad	8 / 10	09-13-2022	With the return of Michael Jordan challenges and the expansions in the MyCAREER mode, NBA 2K23 is as good as ever but the not so great parts like mtx are also as prevalent as ever.	Read review
But Why Tho?	Unknown	6 / 10	09-10-2022	Overall, if you are a fan of 2K’s work and the NBA 2K series, there are plenty of reasons to pick up NBA 2K23. The soundtrack, “Jordan Challenge” mode and new storyline all help offer a generally playable experience. However, anyone that thinks that 2K23 will offer a new or highly improved experience may need to reexamine their expectations. The bottom line is that NBA 2K23 is aimed at fans of the franchise and basketball fans alike, delivering the exact experience that most people would expect.	Read review
Chalgyr’s Game Room	Nick Herber	8.3 / 10	09-20-2022	NBA 2K23 gets so many things right, that I hate that there are a handful of small and one (at least to me) large issue that tarnish an otherwise fantastic package. I will move past those issues, and still continue to play the game heavily however, which is an indication of how good I think it is overall.	Read review
COGconnected	Michael Chow	79 / 100	09-21-2022	Overall, NBA 2K23 has some of the best gameplay in an NBA 2K game. While the MyPlayer mode is a bit of a shadow of its former self, the various additions and changes to MyTeam and MyNBA make up for it overall. Despite being on point in most areas, the Virtual Currency situation will definitely affect players’ enjoyment of the game. While the term “pay to win” does come to mind, NBA2K23’s gameplay and various modes are still very well done.	Read review
Daily Mirror	Eugene Sowah	4 / 5 stars	09-16-2022	Visual Concepts and 2K’s clever enhancements to NBA 2K23 allow for the most authentic experience to date.	Read review
Everyeye.it	Giovanni Calgaro	9 / 10	09-20-2022	NBA 2K23 best honors the number it brings. The playful offer of the new 2K and Visual Concepts basketball iteration is sumptuous, both in terms of visual presentation and content offer.	Read review
FingerGuns	Joshua Thompson	8 / 10	09-10-2022	NBA 2K23 has something for everyone to get stuck into – whether you want to get engrossed in the Jordan era or have your own come up in MyCareer, all provide a lot to work with. With some of the best visuals to hit consoles and deep gameplay that plays so solidly, NBA 2K23 is a great iteration of the franchise.	Read review
Forbes	Brian Mazique	8.5 / 10	09-14-2022	The NBA 2K franchise is back and moving in the right direction. After years of stagnant gameplay mechanics and subtle improvements to its franchise mode, this year’s game has taken huge, direction-defining steps. NBA 2K23 offers an amazingly customizable experience. With the exception of a few perhaps philosophical issues and some lingering old assets still in use, this year’s version registers as an All-NBA first team selection within the series’ storied history.	Read review
Game Informer	Nico Vergara	7.5 / 10	09-16-2022	Overall, NBA 2K23 is a fitting tribute to the historical legends and iconic moments that made this sport what it is today. Though the game has its fair share of issues with its poor narrative choices and omnipresent microtransactions, it’s still a solid improvement over the previous game. This year’s release isn’t quite the flashy free-throw line dunk that lands a perfect score, but it is a worthy, all-around effort that would earn M.J.’s shrug of approval.	Read review
Gamefa	Mostafa Zahedi	8.5 / 10	09-14-2022	NBA 2K23 is another Enjoyable basketball experience that utilizes new, interesting features like Pro Stick. Almost everything looks and works better. Movements are smooth, AI has been improved and Customization Options are plentiful.	Read review
Gamersky	深夜诗人老阿吽	7.8 / 10	09-14-2022	NBA2K23 came with some interesting changes by bring back old memories. Jordan’s legendary career and the year-based dynasty mode are both very attractive new features. NBA 2K23 is still the best basketball game in the world, even though it’s still similar to NBA2K22. I’m glad to see that the NBA 2K series have made some innovations and changes, but there is still a lot of room for further improvements.	Read review
GameSpot	Mark Delaney	8 / 10	09-13-2022	NBA 2K23 is a return to form for the usually exceptional series, improving gameplay while imbuing a sincere love for basketball history into new and reimagined modes.	Read review
GamesRadar+	Ryan Conway	4 / 5 stars	09-14-2022	No sports game gets the past right quite like NBA 2K23 – and its present-day immersiveness is incredibly powerful, too.	Read review
GamingBolt	John Cantees	7 / 10	09-16-2022	NBA 2K23 does a good job with introducing some cool ideas into its stubbornly lackluster larger format.	Read review
Generación Xbox	Gabriel Fuentes	8.5 / 10	09-17-2022	The newest entry of the NBA2K family pays homage to the embodiment of baskteball itself: Michale Jordan and it does it flawlessly with very tiny details to polish.	Read review
Hardcore Gamer	Cory Wells	4.5 / 5 stars	09-14-2022	NBA 2K23 is the game the community has been wanting, but that hardcore community is far more advanced than any casual player looking to just play a basketball game.	Read review
Hobby Consolas	Rafael Aznar	90 / 100	09-13-2022	NBA 2K23 is one of the best games ever to jump onto a sports court. Its playable and audiovisual fundamentals are beyond doubt, but the addition of historical modes to its roster is a better move than the selection of Michael Jordan in the third place of the 1984 Draft by the Chicago Bulls.	Read review
IGN	Ben Vollmer	6 / 10	09-14-2022	NBA 2K23’s on-court improvements should’ve led it to an easy layup, but the ever-present nuisance of pay-to-win microtransactions make it much harder to enjoy.	Read review
IGN Middle East	Mohamed Shorbgy	8.5 / 10	09-19-2022	NBA 2K23 was able to build on the success of last year’s release and provide us with the basketball experience we have always wished for. It seems the series has taken a good step towards achieving what seems to be near and perhaps in the next installments, a remarkable transformation into one of the best sports games	Read review
IGN Spain	Álex Pareja	7 / 10	09-15-2022	There’s no denying it: NBA 2K23 is once again a sports game of the highest level, and I thoroughly enjoyed the Jordan Challenge and the retro options. However, it’s getting harder and harder to perceive the visual and gameplay improvements, along with the most aggressive micropayment system in the entire industry.	Read review
Impulsegamer	Paul Stuart	4.3 / 5 stars	09-14-2022	NBA2K23 is a product of many arguably long overdue, bold decisions, and they combine to produce the best 2K in seemingly forever. Yes, some outstanding quibbles persist, but massive upgrades to gameplay, AI, a legitimate emphasis on classic eras, and no contracts in MyTeam are all winners.	Read review
Kotaku	Luke Plunkett	Recommended	09-19-2022	That’s naïve, overly-simplistic advice, maybe, but we’re a decade into this series’ slide straight into hell and nothing else seems to be working, so it’s worth a shot.	Read review
Nintendo Life	PJ O’Reilly	7 / 10	09-16-2022	NBA 2K23 makes the inevitable downgrades and cuts that we see every year with this franchise on Nintendo’s console and, just like other last-gen versions of the game, it’s also missing both The City and the brand new MyNBA Eras. Loading times can be frustrating, and 30fps basketball feels noticeably stodgier than the 60fps found in other versions. However, if you can put up with these necessary downgrades and slight technical shortcomings, this is still a solid port of a superb basketball sim that’s stuffed full of enough content to see fans through another season.	Read review
Paste Magazine	Kevin Fox Jr.	8 / 10	09-20-2022	If you do play 2K every year, you’ll be treated to gameplay improvements in fluidity of motion, shooting physics, and defense. It’s a prettier, better-handling game than last year with the awesome addition of MyNBA Eras. It feels like a major step up after some years of critical backsliding. Here’s hoping they can maintain the momentum.	Read review
PlayStation Universe	Timothy Nunes	7 / 10	09-12-2022	NBA 2K23 makes some worthy adjustments to gameplay, making this more entertaining without losing the game’s fundamental presentation and feel. At the same time, even the map shrink in The City isn’t enough of an addition to make 2K23 worth a must-buy status. Not enough of the game changes to merit a purchase this year, unless you maxed out everything in last year’s release and want a fresh start. NBA 2K23 is more for die-hard fans than every before.	Read review
Polygon	Owen Good	Recommended	09-16-2022	There is a lot to evaluate in NBA 2K23, and a lot of that evaluation is yet to come from its restive community, various influencers, and people like me. But NBA 2K23’s appeal and value, for once in a very long time, far outweighs its raw and constant calls to spend money, and the guilt and icky feelings that brings. As I said back in August, if nothing else, no one can complain that Visual Concepts did nothing for its franchise mode. So if the microtransactions truly bother you that much, you can always go to MyNBA Eras and rewrite 40 years of history at no extra cost.	Read review
Press Start	Toby Berger	8 / 10	09-19-2022	Refinements to core aspects of NBA 2K23’s gameplay make for some of the most fluid and enjoyable action seen in some years, and it’s all capped off with the excellent Jordan Challenge. It’s not perfect by any means, but this year’s NBA 2K is certainly a big step up from previous entries.	Read review
PSX Brasil	Thiago de Alencar Moura	80 / 100	09-18-2022	While the action on the court is still fantastic and the new game modes are very entertaining and play with basketball fans’ nostalgia, NBA 2K23 is brought down by its excessive microtransactions, which are the very definition of “pay-to-win”.	Read review
Push Square	Sammy Barker	8 / 10	09-16-2022	It may be easy to accuse sports games of offering the same experience year in and year out, but you simply can’t say that about NBA 2K23. The game still has issues with its overemphasis on microtransactions in MyCareer and to a lesser extent MyTeam, but the new MyNBA Eras mode is a revelation – and the Jordan Challenge campaign is damn fun, too. On the court, 2K Sports has made some nice balancing tweaks and also improved the overall AI to make matches more dynamic and competitive, and when you pair all of that with all the new animations, you end up with a basketball sim that’s the very definition of a slam dunk.	Read review
Saudi Gamer	Unknown	8 / 10	09-12-2022	NBA 2K23 is the best game in the series when it comes to attention for details, gameplay, presentation and game modes, and it will be admired by any basketball fan. However, microtransactions are still a problem that cannot be ignored.	Read review
The Games Machine	Gabriele Barducci	8.7 / 10	09-22-2022	Visual Concepts has finally created a beautiful chapter of NBA 2K, balanced, rich in content, aesthetically true next gen.	Read review
TrueGaming	Unknown	7 / 10	09-20-2022	NBA 2K23 accurately captures great highlights of basketball history with the Jordan Challenge mode and an immersive career mode. However, it has some performance issues with the A.I and uneven PvP modes	Read review
Twinfinite	Shaun Ranft	3.5 / 5 stars	09-19-2022	Still, for those seeking an authentic simulation, NBA 2K23 delivers. For those who couldn’t be bothered to invest into either MyTeam or MyCareer, you will find plenty else to occupy your time. At the end of the day, it’s all about what you’re willing to check at the door. There will always be things players take or leave. On the whole, it very much feels like a big step in the right direction. Underneath, I continue to let myself imagine ‘What if…’ which is why personally, it’s difficult to look past the ever-present elephant in the room.	Read review
WayTooManyGames	Leonardo Faria	7.5 / 10	09-13-2022	The only thing that makes NBA 2K23 better than its predecessor, even if by just a little bit, is the inclusion of the excellent Jordan Challenge mode, a great love letter to the best player of all time. Does that make the game worth your time? Well, if you’re into basketball, you don’t exactly have a choice, but, at the very least, 2K23 isn’t worse than the games that preceded it. Small wins, y’all.	Read review
Wccftech	Nathan Birch	9 / 10	09-14-2022	NBA 2K23 builds on last year’s rock-solid entry with some well-considered on-court changes, a deeper, more satisfying career mode, and an array of accessible nostalgia-tweaking content. Most refreshingly, almost none of these additions are designed to push extra spending. If Visual Concepts stays hungry, NBA 2K23 could be the beginning of a new dynasty that would do its cover star proud.	Read review
WellPlayed	Mark Isaacson	7.5 / 10	09-18-2022	Without a focus on MJ’s career, 2K23 doesn’t offer too much more than last year’s iteration. It’s a serviceable experience for newcomers and pros alike, it’s just a damn shame it’s becoming more and more a marketing tool than a game. What concerns me is, where do they go from here?	Read review
Xbox Achievements	Richard Walker	82 / 100	09-20-2022	When you buy NBA 2K, you know what you’re getting. Except this year, NBA 2K23 sees Visual Concepts bringing its ‘A’ game, with an excellent MyCareer mode, the return of Jordan Challenges, and an addictive MyTeam offering. This is a straight-up slam dunk.	Read review
ZTGD	Terrence Johnson	7.5 / 10	09-22-2022	NBA 2K23 is a fantastic package that is marred by a heavy reliance on microtransactions. Unless a player is going to spend hours and hours grinding out The City, the only way to find a modicum of success is to open your wallet and buy the virtual currency to boost your players and teams. The on-court gameplay is blast, and the tweaks to the AI have made playing against the computer more challenging and fun, the Jordan Challenge and the addition of the retro players and modes is a blast and I hope these features make the cut for next year. Speaking of next year, I can see it maybe being based on Kobe Bryant who we know wore the number 24 with the Lakers and tragically passed a few years ago. With it being the 2024 edition of the game, it would only make sense and be a nice honor for the ‘Black Mamba’, I just hope (I’m sure they won’t) that they stop the over reliance on this pay-to-win method that 2K has been doing the past few years, the game would be so much more enjoyable without them.	Read review

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Game Info

Game Description / Storyline:

Rise to the occasion in NBA 2K23. Showcase your talent in MyCareer. Pair All-Stars with timeless legends in MyTeam. Build your own dynasty in MyGM, or guide the NBA in a new direction with MyLeague. Take on NBA or WNBA teams in “Play Now” and feel true-to-life gameplay.

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