Over the past few years, developer Visual Concepts’ focus on updating online features and adding more microtransactions has left the meat of its annualised basketball series a sorgettable merry-go-round of rehashed ideas and uninspired modes.

But NBA 2K25 feels different, like a grizzled league veteran and the definition of a perennial starter. There are still gaps in its game, but solid fundamentals and a willingness to adapt help make it a reliable part of any rotation. Or, in this case, a novel and innovative entry that can win new fans and bring back old-heads alike.

If the action on the court weren’t excellent, no one would have any reason to tolerate the cruft that 2K insists on tacking on around it. Make no mistake, you still can’t teach a long-running basketball sim a lot of radical new tricks, and 2K25 is still very recognizable. But that doesn’t mean you can’t polish it until it becomes as smooth as Steph Curry’s buttery jumper. This is where the return of what Visual Concepts calls “ProPLAY technology” shines. Although it was initially brought on board as part of 2K24, this year’s iteration is much better at producing lifelike player animations and motions, so Paul George’s fluid jump shot and Jayson Tatum’s upper body heave look like the actual thing.

The old adage “a tale of two halves” really encapsulates the NBA 2K24 experience. On one hand, the hardcourt experience is as good as it ever has been (as we should demand from a game that iterates annually), and there are a handful of game modes that allow all of that to be enjoyed without interruption. On the other, much more nefarious hand.

Even worse, mechanics like badge regression reinforce the worst parts of the microtransaction scheme. Those issues, NBA 2K24 still offers a solid basketball experience, but it requires looking in the right places. Clearly, there is a love for the game of basketball on display in modes. But a lot of that love is lost the moment we’re asked to pay an absurd amount of money to compete in the main multiplayer mode.

Visual Concepts’ introduction of Go-To moves further emphasizes NBA 2K25’s focus on realistic player movement. With it, you can recreate your favorite player’s iconic signature move, whether it’s Nikola Jokic’s one-legged sidestep jumper or Donovan Mitchell’s bump-and-stepback shot.

I especially enjoy using (and abusing) these moves whenever my play gets broken up or the clock is running down. After all, most of them, like KD’s crossover hesi pull-up, guarantee space creation and an open shot each time. –Agencies