NBA 2K20 Review

Damian Galvan

9/9/20

NBA 2K20 was released on September 5th, 2019. The infamous video game series releases a yearly game around September, NBA 2K20 being the latest, but 2K21 is right around the corner. NBA 2K20 has many types of game modes and options so you never run out of fun. Play Now, The Neighborhood, MyTeam, MyLeague are the most popular options. We will look at every aspect individually, and give a final rating 1-10 for every aspect, then a final rating.

The Neighborhood

Easily, the Neighborhood is the most popular aspect of the game. Your MyPlayer is the key person, you begin as a level 60 overall and need to earn VC (virtual currency which you can purchase with real money as well) by playing MyCareer games or Neighborhood games. The neighborhood allows you to get quick, easy access to play a 3 on 3 or 2 on 2 game against other online players, whether it’s against friends or people you don’t know. Depending on what you want your strengths and weaknesses to be, you’ll create a specific build that usually has 2 strengths and weaknesses that you’re allowed to choose. Compared to NBA 2K19, the game controls stiffly and hinders your abilities to dribble the ball, the stiffness caused some controversy as some people enjoyed the fluidity of old games versus this one. One of the most expected things this year is the design of the park, where you play, which hasn't changed much from previous games. Although it could’ve been better, it was still decent and had positives. Compared to 2K19, the customization of character abilities and stats have improved.

Although some expected more, the neighborhood was solid.

Neighborhood rating: 8/10

MyTeam

The MyTeam feature has been one of the most consistent features in the game. Some say that the MyTeam feature is "pay-to-win," and can be a grind. MyTeam is a feature with cards of real life players, cards cost MT (MyTeam) currency which you can only earn through playing games with your 13 man MyTeam squad. There are different card types: Bronze Cards range from levels 60 to 69 overall, Gold Cards range from 70 to 79 overall, Sapphire Cards range 80-85 overall, Ruby Cards range from 86 to 89 overall, Diamond Cards 90-95 overall, Pink Diamond range from 96 to 98 overall, and the highest overall cards, called Galaxy Opal, are 99 overall. The whole goal of MyTeam is to build the best squad you can and although it takes time, it’s very satisfying once you get a better team as time goes on. You can play online or offline on my team, 3 on 3 or with your whole team, although the grind can bit a lot, it’s solid.

MyTeam rating: 7/10

MyLeague

MyLeague is a game mode that allows you to control any team and make any trades you want with said team. If you would like to make things interesting, you can do a fantasy draft and most of the NBA would end up on a different team. You can try to do a league with friends, but it is usually buggy and difficult. They don't make many changes to this mode yearly, it’s practically been the same for years now. It’s a good alternative if you’re tired of the Neighborhood or MyTeam.

MyLeague rating: 6/10

Play Now

Play Now is more for the casual players. If you’re trying to run a quick game against friends at your house or just want to play online, it’s the best option. It has the current roster of NBA teams and you can even pick some historic teams like for example the ‘13 Miami Heat, ‘91 Chicago Bulls, ‘01 Lakers, etc. They also have all time teams, where they take the best 13 players to play for every team in history and put them on the team all together. I don’t use it as much, but against family members and friends it’s the best option. Again, not much has changed over the years. They add historic teams now and then.

Play Now rating: 5.5/10

Overall

NBA2K20 isn’t the best 2K out there, and some people may have differing opinions. At first, it wasn’t as appealing to me because of the stiffness and lack of new features, but as time went on you get used to the feel of the game and it’s not as bad as you first thought. It’s far from perfect but it provides various options and you can’t go wrong with any really, it all depends on personal taste and what you're playing the game for. It’s still the best basketball game option in the world and it doesn't look like that will change anytime soon. NBA Live, which was another NBA game, in competition with 2K, released by EA Sports, recently announced they wouldn’t be releasing a NBA Live for 2020. 2K is still the best option and 2K20 was a solid game in most aspects.