The annual sports release has traditionally been criticized.
NBA 2K26 was recently released. The new installment of the franchise launched on Steam with "mixed" reviews.
PC gamers criticize the basketball simulator for technical issues and more: they note long shader compilation; black screen; freezing players; point out the lack of crossplay and grinding.
At the same time, even the authors of negative reviews admit that the gameplay is better than in the previous NBA 2K25.
The "NBA 2K" line of games is actively criticized online (and on Steam), but every year they show an average online presence in the Valve service ranging from 20 to 50+ thousand players.
