It's once again reached that time of year when another entry in the NBA 2K franchise slam-dunks onto our consoles. Yes, it's sometimes difficult to muster much excitement for these annual instalments, and it's easy to dismiss them as just another incremental update that looks and plays almost identically to the previous season's effort. However, NBA 2K23 is worth getting a little more jazzed about than usual, as it combines an excellent new Michael Jordan Challenge mode with, what we reckon, is the best on-court action we've seen from the series thus far, even if this Switch port has had to make some cuts here and there.
Let's kick things off with that new Michael Jordan Challenge mode, which feels like a fully fleshed-out and richly rewarding part of the game. Here you'll take part in 15 specific challenges based on events from across MJ's career, with each and every one of them presented in exacting detail, featuring era-specific stadiums, kits, commentary and screen filters that give the whole thing a delightfully aged look. This is no throwaway mode, it's a full-on history lesson to sink your teeth into that really brings MJ's early career and biggest NBA moments back to life.
Unfortunately on Switch — as well as on PS4 and Xbox One — the brand new MyNBA Eras mode hasn't made the jump from the flashy next-gen versions of the game, so we're missing out on a whole bunch of fun retro action from across the Magic, Jordan and Kobe eras. It's a real shame this headline content has had to be cut but it seems it's just a step too far for the older consoles to handle. We suppose there has to be a point when the new generation of hardware pulls away, and this certainly feels like that moment with regards to NBA 2K.
In more positive news, MyTeam — our go-to mode — sees a host of improvements in 2K23, including the removal of the game's annoying player contracts system, and the introduction of the excellent Clutch Time as one of the main ways to earn those VC points and level up your squad. Getting rid of contracts was a widely requested change over the past few years and, honestly, it feels so good not to have to go messing in menus every few games to make sure your players are ready.
The MyPlayer portion of the game has also seen big changes this year but, unfortunately, this is another area of NBA 2K23 where the Switch loses out. Where newer consoles get a vastly improved 'City' to skateboard around, we have to put up with a watered-down G.O.A.T Boat neighbourhood instead. The story here, which sees you go head to head with another rookie called Shep Owens, survives the cut, but it's yet another sign that last-generation consoles are struggling to keep up as the best parts of this year's MyPlayer experience have been discarded here.
On the court itself, NBA 2K23 has seen improvements in every department. The shot meter is easier to read — it can be tinkered with if you don't 100% gel with its default set-up — and matches have a slower pace that gives the action a more open and purposeful flow. You have more room to manoeuvre, pass the ball around and have time to build up taking a shot at the net. There are also new dunk controls that allow for more flexibility in how you show off on big shots, enhanced animations and physics, and improved AI that makes for sharper opponents in single-player modes.
Plenty of work has also been done to 'shot ratings', with stronger offensive players feeling noticeably more capable and able to pull a bit of on-court magic in tight spots, whereas weaker shooters will have a much tougher time. You can no longer just rely on getting any old player into the open and then netting some points regardless of stats; this time around you'll have to plan your attacks and get your team's biggest talents involved to see the best results.
We've also found that post moves are easier — or maybe we should say more intuitive — to pull off in NBA 2K23. We've worked them into our overall game now, and the challenges in MyTeam do a great job of teaching you the ins and outs of some fundamentals that will help you to improve how you go about your business on the court. In fact, from the moment you boot this one up, accessibility seems to be something that 2K has really focused on this year. You'll get a walkthrough of each mode and how it works, the basics are explained in detail for newbies and the general flow of MyPlayer and MyTeam encourages you to take on challenges and learn the basics more than ever before. If you're willing to put the time in, NBA 2K23 has got a whole lot to teach you about the sport it's simulating.
Of course, not everything is perfect in b-ball land and, as expected, NBA 2K23 is a game that's weighed down heavily by microtransactions. If you've been playing the franchise for a while, this won't come as any kind of surprise, but newcomers should be aware that, especially in the MyPlayer mode, folks who splash out with their real-life money are gonna have a big advantage here — especially in the early days and weeks — before those of us who grind it out have a chance to catch up.
In terms of the Switch port's technical performance, it's still impressive to see a sports game of this size running on Nintendo's handheld console. For the most part, you're looking at a solid 30fps across the board whilst on the court. However, loading times can be excruciating at points, especially in the Michael Jordan Challenge mode. The graphics have also, understandably, taken a pretty big hit in comparison to other versions of the game, and things feel quite a bit more stodgy, slow and imprecise at times in action as a result of the framerate being halved. Another thing to note here is that 2K has once again blocked screenshots in-game on Switch — we used a capture card to grab some for this review — and, honestly, we're not sure why it does this. Yes, there's been a downgrade to visuals, but it's not that bad, guys.
In the end, all of this technical stuff is understandable and expected at this point, of course, and what you're getting here is still a portable version of NBA 2K23 that runs well enough and gives you close to the full-fat experience — bar NBA Eras and the City — that you'll find on other consoles.
Overall, it's another solid year for NBA 2K. This time around the on-court action feels noticeably improved over previous outings and that new Michael Jordan Challenge mode is a really nice addition to proceedings. If you've been enjoying this series on Switch so far and can put up with the necessary cuts to content and graphical downgrades, you'll find another eminently playable port here, although it really does feel as though this could be one of the last in the series that manages to stretch itself onto our favourite portable console.
Conclusion
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.
Comments 31
Still better than FIFA 23 Garbage Edition.
@anoyonmus seconded... needs to be dumped in the trash bin.
Us it again just a code in the box?
@Nintendo4Sonic : 50GB+ download.
Honestly, why even bother with a "physical" release at this point? They charge AU$150 for the special editions. They ought to use that as a means of providing customers with a complete physical release and just make the cheaper option a code in a case if Take Two are that adamant on occupying shelf space.
@Rpg-lover you’re so right.
Haven't played a basketball ball game in years I wanna pick this up just for the Jordan mode.. probably not on switch though, I'd pick up madden if it ever came to switch finally
Is there a bit in the Michael content where he has to stop Nick Anderson picking his pocket?
These download code on box needs to go into the dumpster and burned.
@Nintendo4Sonic It comes with a game cart but it requires a fat download to be in a playable state and have all the game modes, commentary, kits, etc.
Thanks for this review. I wanted to know if MyEras made it. I will wait for the sale as it didn’t and get this on ps5 instead. I was on fence which version to get. The Jordan mode looks great 2k11 was great and 12 with the similar mode and then they just dumped it. Glad it’s back.
MyEras is next level though. That’s gonna get played a lot.
#bringbackthesonics
As the Switch continues to age, the 3rd party ports remind me more and more of the ones that plagued the Wii, especially toward the end of its lifecycle. I hope Nintendo does not repeat the same mistakes it made then.
How can u review this game and neglect to mention that it’s a 52 GB download or about 38 GB if you get the physical?. This factor will be a dealbreaker for some as it’s probably the heftiest game there is on switch and is actually the reason I will not purchase. I therefore rate this review (not the game) a 2/10. C’mon this is important and needs to be mentioned.
@DiamondJim I guess they're reviewing the game and not the filesize. I agree it would have been nice to mention it but at the end of it all it's the game experience thats being reviewed here.
Haven't played an NBA game in a few years, will likely wait for the big drop in price in the new year before I dive into this one, and probably not on Switch but another platform.
30FPS. Come on man.
I won’t purchase a mainline sports game on switch until the next iteration. There is enough lacking for me to stay away.
I stopped playing these games after I figured out that not only does this game series rip people off constantly with micro transactions in modes they have no business being in, your game also ceases to exist in only a couple years. So that nice, shiny new NBA 2K game you love so much won’t be worth crap after a couple years. Most of the modes, including MyPlayer, will be unplayable. I’d rather stick with games I can still play years from now.
I’ve been having a ton of fun with this as I do every year its on the switch. I never mess with the micro transaction stuff as I play franchise mode & now Jordan Challenge. I do wish MyEras made it on switch.
@pilonium64
???
30 fps is the standard for portable games. You want higher framerates you're in the wrong neighborhood bud. Portably hybrid systems are all about balance with give and take to enable games to be played anywhere. If that ain't your cup of tea I suggest you play games elsewhere.
This review doesn't really work for the average player. I don't know what game you got here. The base game with nothing unlocked? Did you get a version that came with free lever pulls/loot boxes/card packs? How much money someone makes also drastically alters how much fun a player can have with this...thing. It's game of haves and have-nots. It's gross.
@DiamondJim It should have been mentioned, but it shouldn't factor into the score of the game, which is just reviewing the game itself. It's a hefty install size for the Switch, especially since it won't even fit on the original Switch consoles, but it's only a third of what it is on the PS5 and Series X. If somebody really wants to play basketball on the go, then they are going to do what they need to do to play this, and most people probably have a microSD card already anyways.
It does suck that a lot of the game has to be downloaded rather than more on the game card, but it is what it is. It won't take that long to install, and plenty of games on PlayStation and Xbox are even bigger.
You should've included a picture of Micheal Jordon
It's interesting to me how they said they couldn't put the new "MyNBA Eras" mode, the 1P mode that lets you start in 1983, 1991 or 2002 if you want, in the last-gen versions like this one, even though most of the elements of Eras are already here: the old-school chyrons and screen filters, the vintage commentary tracks, a good chunk of retro jerseys, courts, arenas, and even the old draft classes needed to make it work, it's all already in the game. But they insist they couldn't get Eras to work on PS4 & Switch? Sus.
@JaxonH
60FPS would be perfectly feasible on a portable system if nintendo decided to do so, even a cheap android smartphone can do it. But no, nintendo just scrapped decent hardware and smooth gameplay for gimmicks and indies crap and it sell well to hipsters and zoomers. we will never have a decent console like the SNES ever again.
@pilonium64
"Sell well to hipsters and zoomers"
That just told me everything about you I need to know.
If you don't like the system that's fine, but when you start insulting others who enjoy the system, that's a massive red flag for a salty fanboy.
We've got the greatest console of all time. Whether or not you agree is irrelevant.
@JaxonH
>We've got the greatest console of all time
it sells well so it must be cool. greatest console for nintendo executives. Sure. minimum investment, maximum profit. 1 Zelda and 2 Marioes in 5 years, everything else is dogshit indie, crippled 3rd party ports or stuff released years ago elsewhere in a better shape, as already mentioned. Even the failed Wii U got Tekken and Yakuza.What did we got on switch outside of the first party games ? some nice squenix RPGs. all released on PC and running butter smooth on a cheapo laptop, unlike the gimped tablet.
Greatest consoles were the Neogeo for the arcade perfect experience or the SNES, the Dreamcast, the PS2/PS3 and their the truck load of fantastic first party and 3rd party games.
@pilonium64
Again, whether or not you agree is irrelevant. Your personal opinion isn't defining reality for me or anyone else.
Removed - flaming/arguing; user is banned
@pilonium64
You're not gonna get a rise out of me by trolling, flaming and insulting.
Because I know when someone does that it's to hide the fact they're insecure seeing others enjoy a particular thing. And knowing that gives you knots in your stomach is enough for me to just smile.
>Because I know when someone does that it's to hide the fact >they're insecure seeing others enjoy a particular thing.
LOL. I do not care what the Wii FIT fanbase enjoys or not. They are completely irrelevant when it comes to gaming.
But I will be honest, I'm frustrated on how weak the switch is and how gimped everything is on nintendo consoles for 3 generations in a row. input lag, low framerate, PS3 quality ports, and I will not talk about the terrible reliability in comparison of the N64 or the SNES. I will go back now clearing BOTW in 4k on my PC and my SNES games on my Analogue SuperNT
2K sports at least tries. It begs the Question why EA Sports can't do the same.
They say sales are low but there only low as people get fed up of being treated like second rate gamers.
Gameplay and modes are more important than graphics
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