Every September, NBA 2K players ask the same question: is this year’s edition really worth another $100, or is it just a roster update with a new number on the box? After putting hours into my NBA 2K26 review across modes and platforms, I can say this year feels different. From the smoothest shooting system in years to a faster, more rewarding City, there are genuine reasons to step back on the court. It’s not perfect. Dribbling still lags behind 2K24 and PC players with AMD setups may struggle, but for the first time in a while, it feels like 2K has taken a real step forward.

What’s New in NBA 2K26

NBA 2K26 introduces plenty of new content across all game modes, but the three areas that stood out most to me were The City, MyTEAM, and MyCAREER.

The City Revamped

For the first time, The City runs at 60 FPS and finally feels built for speed and competition. The tighter layout cuts down on wasted time, visuals are brighter, and the lighting eliminates the harsh glare and shadows from past years. Stepping onto a Park court feels crisp, clean, and immersive—almost like watching a real NBA broadcast. The graphics overall look sharp, though the crowd still needs work, with some fan faces looking like leftovers from the PS3 era.

MyTEAM

The inclusion of both NBA and WNBA players makes MyTEAM more flexible and fun. I’ve had a blast experimenting with new roster combos, though quirks remain—like WNBA players being allowed in NBA Domination but not the other way around. Breakout mode can also feel unfair when all-WNBA teams face all-NBA lineups. Even so, the new draft classes and accurate rosters make this one of the deepest and most rewarding MyTEAM years in a while.

MyCAREER

The pre-NBA portion of MyCAREER has been a pleasant surprise. It’s better paced, making those early games feel meaningful instead of a chore. VC is also easier to earn compared to 2K25, which reduces the grind and makes progression feel more balanced without pushing you toward microtransactions. Pair that with a cockier (but more entertaining) MyPLAYER story, and it’s one of the strongest MyCAREER starts in years.

Other Additions

Outside of these, NBA 2K26 adds rotating Seasonal Parks, Crew squads, competitive events like the Pro-Am Summit, and a longer MyCAREER story that stretches into the Playoffs. They’re welcome improvements, but the highlights remain the upgraded City, the deeper MyTEAM, and the stronger pre-NBA MyCAREER experience.

On-Court Feel

One of the biggest questions going into this NBA 2K26 review was how the game would feel once you hit the hardwood. The good news? Gameplay is faster, smoother, and more responsive across the board. From dribbling to shooting to defense, NBA 2K26 makes meaningful strides that set it apart from recent entries.

Dribbling

Dribbling is a clear step up from last year, though still not as versatile as 2K24. Only a few styles feel reliable online or against the CPU, which limits creativity. Even so, the quicker game speed and smoother physics make possessions more natural, and I found it easier to break defenders down and string moves together. Cleaner guard animations also make it easier to create space and pull up off the dribble. Overall, it’s a big improvement over 2K25.

Shooting

This is where NBA 2K26 shines. Shooting feels like it did in 2K17, rewarding rhythm and timing. Catch-and-shoot plays are deadly, and the new meter feels fair and consistent. Tough contested jumpers that would’ve bricked in 2K25 now fall if you time them right. Hitting a green guarantees the shot, and that change alone makes the game far more rewarding. Whether you’re new or returning, it’s the best shooting system 2K has had in years.

Defense

Defense sits on par with 2K25, which is solid. The faster pace takes some adjustment, especially online, but overall defense feels responsive and reliable. Animations are improved too—collisions look more realistic, off-ball movement is smoother, and skating is gone. Forwards dominate the post with stronger hooks and step-backs, while guards are better at creating space. The result is a more physical, realistic defensive game that flows better than last year.

How It Runs: PC and Steam Deck

Since I reviewed NBA 2K26 primarily on PC, these impressions reflect that platform (and the Steam Deck).

Performance has been excellent, with zero major issues on my setup (Radeon RX 7900XTX and Ryzen 7800X3D). At worst, I’ve seen minor stuttering and the occasional crash, but nothing game-breaking. It’s already a big step up from 2K25, which was plagued by the VRAM bug.

That said, the PC version still feels neglected in features. NBA 2K26 doesn’t support crossplay, which limits the playerbase. SteamDB showed a peak of ~79,000 concurrent players during early access, but that quickly dropped to around 40,000. Without crossplay, those numbers will only shrink further. With Easy Anti-Cheat now included, it’s hard to understand why crossplay wasn’t finally added.

On Steam Deck, performance was surprisingly strong. After lowering settings to medium, gameplay was smooth and responsive, and MyCAREER on the go quickly became one of my favorite ways to play. For players without a console, the Deck is a surprisingly solid option.

Final Take – Is NBA 2K26 Worth Playing?

NBA 2K26 feels like the course correction fans have been waiting for. Where last year stumbled with optimization issues, aggressive microtransactions, and frustrating design choices, this year makes real strides forward. Shooting is skill-based again, The City finally balances size and speed, and MyCAREER’s added personality kept me invested longer than usual. MyTEAM introduces fresh options with WNBA players, while the new animation system eliminates “skating” and makes both offense and defense smoother. For me, performance was excellent on PC and strong on the Steam Deck, making this the most fun I’ve had with the series in years.

It isn’t flawless. Dribbling still hasn’t reached the highs of 2K24, though it’s a clear step up from 2K25. AMD players may face stability issues, and the $100 price tag is hard to justify. But when you’re hitting greens in rhythm, watching animations flow like real NBA highlights, and losing hours in The City, it feels like 2K has rediscovered its spark. If Visual Concepts can keep building on this foundation, NBA 2K26 could be remembered as the turning point for the series.