NBA 2K18 is a 2017 basketball video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K. It is the 19th installment in the NBA 2K franchise, the successor to NBA 2K17, and the predecessor to NBA 2K19. It was released on September 19, 2017, for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, iOS and Android. Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics serves as cover athlete for the regular edition of the game, Shaquille O'Neal is the cover athlete for the special editions, DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors is the cover athlete for the Canadian version, and Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors is the cover athlete for NIKE Connect Special Edition. While a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers when selected for the cover, Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics before the game's release. As a result, a new cover depicting Irving in a Celtics uniform was revealed alongside the original cover. This was the last installment in the series to be released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
NBA 2K18, like the previous games in the series, simulates the experience of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Several game modes are present, including the team-managing MyGM and MyLeague modes, which were a considerable emphasis during development, and MyCareer, in which the player creates and plays through the career of their own player. The game features a licensed soundtrack consisting of 49 songs.
Gameplay
NBA 2K18 is a basketball simulation game which, like the previous games in the series, strives to realistically depict the National Basketball Association (NBA), as well as present improvements over the previous installments. The player mainly plays NBA games with real-life or customized players and teams; games follow the rules and objectives of NBA games. Several game modes are present and many settings can be customized. In terms of commentary, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett appear as guest commentators.Newhouse, Alex (August 29, 2017). "NBA 2K18 Has Kevin Garnett And Kobe Bryant As Guest Commentators; Check Out New Trailer". GameSpot. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
Along with the current season's teams and players, previous games in the series have featured NBA teams from past eras, such as the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls and the 1985–86 Boston Celtics. NBA 2K18 adds seventeen more such teams, including the 2007–08 Denver Nuggets and the 1998–99 New York Knicks, as well as 'All-Time Teams', teams for each franchise consisting of the greatest players in the respective franchise's history.Chavez, Chris (August 11, 2017). "NBA 2K18 To Feature All-Time Teams For All 30 Franchises". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 12, 2017.Mazique, Brian (August 16, 2017). "'NBA 2K18' Classic Teams: Complete List Of The New Squads Coming To The Game". Forbes. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
A staple of the series, MyCareer, returns as one of the available game modes. MyCareer is a career mode in which the player creates their own customizable basketball player and plays through their basketball career. The mode features a storyline which plays out as the player competes in games as well as off-court activities. The creation tools have been overhauled – new hairstyles and body archetypes are available for the player to make use of, among other things.Newhouse, Alex (August 9, 2017). "NBA 2K18's New Trailer Shows First Gameplay, Extremely Detailed Faces". GameSpot. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
The game's returning MyGM and MyLeague game modes, which task the player with managing all basketball operations for a specific team, were a point of emphasis during development. MyGM is more focused on realism, whereas MyLeague offers more customization options. MyGM mode attempts to introduce more cutscene-style interactions than previous games in an attempt to give the mode a storyline, which is dubbed 'The Next Chapter', similar to the series' MyCareer mode. Additionally, several additions have been made to the mode which caters to the NBA's latest Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the NBA G League, the NBA's official minor league basketball organization, is present.Pereira, Chris (July 28, 2017). "NBA 2K18's Revamped MyGM Mode Includes Lots Of New Rules To Excite NBA Nerds". GameSpot. Retrieved July 29, 2017.Kalland, Robby (July 27, 2017). "‘NBA 2K18’ Announced Huge Changes To Free Agency And The Draft In MyLEAGUE Mode". Uproxx. Retrieved July 29, 2017.Sarkar, Samit (July 29, 2017). "NBA 2K18 introduces story-driven franchise mode". Polygon. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
NBA 2K18 again, for the sixth time in the series, features MyTeam mode, a mode based around the idea of building the ultimate basketball team, and maintaining a virtual trading card collection. Players assemble and play with their team in basketball tournament-style competitions against other players' teams in several different formats. Assets for a team are acquired through various means, including randomized card packs and the auction house. Virtual Currency (VC) is used extensively in the mode.Pereira, Chris (August 18, 2017). "NBA 2K18's Ultimate Team-Like MyTeam Mode Detailed, Adds New Ways To Play". GameSpot. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
The game introduces a new feature to the series, Neighborhoods, which tie into the game's MyCareer, MyPark, and ProAm game modes. In addition to allowing access to the aforementioned modes, Neighborhoods feature an open world design which players can explore while interacting with other players. Several activities can be completed to raise attributes and the player can purchase items.Newhouse, Alex (August 31, 2017). "NBA 2K18's New Feature Is A Social Space, Complete With Tattoo Parlors And Barbershops". GameSpot. Retrieved September 1, 2017. The 2K Sports Pre-game show returned with hosts Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny "The Jet" Smith. While the in-game main commentators are Kevin Harlan and Greg Anthony with additional voices of Doris Burke, Clark Kellogg, Steve Smith, Chris Webber and Brent Barry. The sideline reporter is David Aldridge.
Development and release NBA 2K18 was officially confirmed in January 2017, and was released worldwide on September 19, 2017; players who pre-ordered the game received it on September 15, 2017. It is the first game in the series to be released for the Nintendo Switch;Nunneley, Stephany (January 13, 2017). "NBA 2K18 announced for Nintendo Switch, releases in September". VG247. Retrieved February 11, 2017.Dornbush, Jonathon (January 12, 2017). "NBA 2K18 Confirmed For Nintendo Switch". IGN. Retrieved February 11, 2017.Sarkar, Samit (January 13, 2017). "How will the Nintendo Switch fare with sports games?". Polygon. Retrieved February 11, 2017. it was also released for the Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Windows. Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics is the cover athlete.Makuch, Eddie (June 1, 2017). "NBA 2K18 Cover Star Revealed, And It's A Great, Timely Choice". GameSpot. Retrieved June 1, 2017.S. Good, Owen (June 1, 2017). "NBA 2K18 taps Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving for cover fame". Polygon. Retrieved June 1, 2017. When the game's cover was revealed, Irving was a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, but was later traded to the Celtics before the game's release.Plunkett, Luke (August 23, 2017). "Throw NBA 2K18s Cover In The Trash". Kotaku. Retrieved August 23, 2017. As a result, developer Visual Concepts announced that a revised cover featuring Irving in a Celtics uniform would be released due to the trade.Makuch, Eddie (August 23, 2017). "NBA 2K18 Will Release New Cover After The Big Kyrie Irving Trade". GameSpot. Retrieved August 24, 2017.Chipps, Isaac (September 8, 2017). ""NBA 2K18" updates cover with Kyrie Irving donning Celtics jersey". ESPN. Retrieved September 8, 2017. The special edition versions of the game, which include various physical and digital extras, feature Shaquille O'Neal as the cover athlete.Porter, Matt (May 8, 2017). "NBA 2K18 Release Date Announced, Shaq On Special Edition Cover". IGN. Retrieved May 9, 2017.S. Good, Owen (May 8, 2017). "NBA 2K18 announces launch date, celebrates Shaq on special cover" . Polygon. Retrieved May 9, 2017.Alex, Newhouse (May 8, 2017). "NBA 2K18 Special Edition Is All About Shaq". GameSpot. Retrieved May 10, 2017. O'Neal was previously the cover athlete of NBA 2K6 and NBA 2K7. In Canada, DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors is the cover athlete.Duffy, Thomas (July 6, 2017). "DeMar DeRozan Featured on Canadian-Edition Cover of 'NBA 2K18'". Bleacher Report. Retrieved July 7, 2017.Newhouse, Alex (July 6, 2017). "NBA 2K18 Has A Different Cover Athlete In Canada For The First Time Ever". GameSpot. Retrieved July 7, 2017. Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors appears on the cover for the NIKE Connect Special Edition. Like NBA 2K17, a free title for PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, called The Prelude, was made available prior to the release of the main game; in it, the player creates their MyPlayer for use in the main game's MyCareer mode. On September 6, 2017, it was announced that EuroLeague will not be included for the game since both EuroLeague and NBA 2K ended their licensing agreement together.
A companion app, titled MyNBA2K18, for iOS and Android is available alongside the game; it features Kristaps Porziņģis as its cover athlete.Mazique, Brian (September 6, 2017). "'MyNBA 2K18' Is Available For iOS And Android, But It Doesn't Officially Release Until September 7". Forbes. Retrieved September 9, 2017. Like previous games in the series, NBA 2K18 features a licensed soundtrack; it consists of 49 songs.Pereira, Chris (July 21, 2017). "NBA 2K18 Soundtrack Revealed". GameSpot. Retrieved July 22, 2017. The first screenshots of the game were released in July 2017.Mazique, Brian (July 24, 2017). "'NBA 2K18' News: First Screenshots Feature Isaiah Thomas, Paul George and DeMar DeRozan". Forbes. Retrieved July 25, 2017. The first gameplay trailer was released on August 8, 2017. The trailer highlights the developers' attempts to improve the game's presentation; player body archetypes and faces have been overhauled and more uniforms and accessories have been scanned into the game. An extended gameplay trailer was released on August 16, 2017.Pereira, Chris (August 16, 2017). "NBA 2K18 Gameplay Trailer Shows Off More Of Its Ridiculously Detailed Players". GameSpot. Retrieved August 17, 2017. A trailer for the game's MyCareer mode was released on August 31, 2017.
Reception
NBA 2K18 received "generally favorable" reviews for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of the game, while the Nintendo Switch version received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.
In their 8.4/10 review, IGN wrote: "NBA 2K18 impresses by making players behave more like their real-life counterparts than ever before." Game Informer gave it a 9/10, writing, "NBA 2K18 has a few holes in its game – the series needs to improve its writing, the ballyhooed MyCareer Neighborhood hub falls flat, and the tech powering the series is nearing retirement age. That said, boil the game down to its essentials and you have a rock-solid, well-balanced sports sim that provides an immensely entertaining shoulder-to-shoulder same-couch multiplayer experience."