NBA 2K25 (PlayStation 5 Review)

NBA 2K25 is finally here, and fans of the iconic series are rejoicing as they begin to play with or against their favorite players and some of their favorite NBA teams. However, a mixture of updated rosters, better animations, and very few new features may not be enough to recreate that nostalgic 2K feeling.

That said, NBA 2K25 does, in fact, have its moments. Starting at the beginning, the player is thrown straight into the action. The player finds themselves on the biggest stage in basketball, The 2025 NBA Finals, and Game Seven in overtime. You are thrown straight into the character selection as you pick your position and the character’s appearance. The electric feeling of the NBA Finals sets the tone for the rest of the My Career game mode. 

NBA 2K25’s My Career/Play Now

The My Career game mode is a staple of the 2K franchise. NBA 2K25 does a great job of immersing the player as their My Player chases greatness. The My Player Builder has been designed in a fantastic but straightforward way. Users can choose to create their own build, pick an NBA player build, or use a 2K Pro-tuned build. Each option comes with its own perks and unique animations. However, the My Career story is still quite bland and doesn’t have the same charm as it used to. Although the cutscenes are skippable.

As we move on to 2K City, players will notice the color and atmosphere right away. The city is full of bright, eye-popping colors and plenty of murals of NBA stars. However, if you are a solo player or a low-level player, do not expect to find your way into many pick-up games, as it is almost all watching and waiting. 

Play Now and Quick Play is about as straightforward as anything gets. It allows players to choose their favorite current NBA team or even their favorite classic NBA team and play against an AI-controlled opposing team. Players can customize their teams with the jerseys, headbands, and socks they want. NBA 2K25 recommends the “pro” difficulty, which is the perfect mix of toughness and smooth gameplay. 

2K25’s Online Play

2K25’s Online Play has also received some new features. The addition of ‘leagues’ allows players to continue playing online against other users fairly. Imagine a ranked mode in a competitive game. Winning games allows players to move up to different leagues to win different prizes and bragging rights. The games feel competitive as both sides are pushing to move on to the next league. The Leagues start at Bronze and go as high as Platinum. 

Next up is the Eras Play. This allows players to pick from different eras in the NBA. For example, the Stepch Curry era, the Lebron James era, etc. Players can revisit their favorite players on their favorite teams and relive their glory days. 

The Blacktop is the perfect place for the player to try their luck against their friends. From one-on-one games, all the way to five-on-five, play as any mix of players from all the NBA eras. 

My Team is arguably the most popular game mode on NBA 2K25. With the ability to gain new players and build your own super team, what is not to love? Players will get their pick from two current NBA stars and one legendary player. Players are also given packs of player cards to bulk up their team. The customization possibilities are endless. 

2K25’s WNBA

The WNBA feature has been prominent in the past, but in 2K25, it is a huge selling point. With names like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese boosting women’s basketball recently, the WNBA mode in 2K is sure to see a huge rise in players. With all the same game modes as the NBA side, women’s basketball is well represented in NBA 2k25.

NBA 2K TV has been around for a long time. Every new 2K game is followed by new episodes. However, while easy to ignore, the show is filled with helpful information as well as new information on what is to come. 

For the final menu in NBA 2K25, players can purchase a battlepass. While highly unnecessary for a game of this degree, 2K25 does have seasons. Players can purchase the battlepass and get a leg up in their My Team game mode, as well as get a considerable amount of in-game currency. 

NBA 2K25 is a solid game for what it is—a perfect mixture of incredible basketball gameplay yet bland and sometimes cringy storytelling. However, the online play and smooth gameplay are enough to overlook somewhat the lack of new features and the developers’ heavy reliance on nostalgia. At its best, 2K25 is a fun basketball experience. At its worst, it is an unoriginal story with an awkward dialogue about the dream of being a basketball legend.