Screenshots & trailers
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 82 | 20 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 80 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 36 | 249 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 54 | 750 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (50)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 92
“NBA 2K revalidates its title of King of the Ring with this new part, full of news in its control system and with an excellent realism level. The amount of content of NBA 2K19 allows its fans to spend thousands of hours in front of their screens without getting bored for a single moment. If you like basketball and you are looking for an unforgettable experience, this is your game. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“NBA 2K19 is once again the best simulation of basketball. When it comes to gameplay, presentation, and polish 2K’s latest entry is undoubtedly unmatched. However, basic cosmetic options being held hostage behind microtransactions and an obtrusive story during MyCareer are huge unforced turnovers and prevent NBA 2K19 from cementing itself as the Greatest Of All Time. ”
read full review ↗ - 85
“NBA 2K19 is still the go-to basketball simulation game out there. Its polish and refinement have only improved since last year, and it's difficult to imagine any improvements for next year. The MyCareer story has definitely improved, and so have the cut scene management and character customization. MyTeam feels like a revolving mode of new updates and content, but players who don't purchase VC may be getting the short end of the stick, since 10 pack boxes are exclusive to VC only. The game is amazing in all regards, but the constant reminder and pressure to purchase VC is wearing thin.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Although those willing to grind for everything will eventually get rewarded, the system of VC still comes off as exploitative. But there's a lot of fun to be had in NBA 2K19 despite its flaws, especially if you have a strong love for the sport.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“While NBA 2K19 is competent it has also, for me at least, continued down the road of not feeling as fun or exciting as previous NBA 2K titles. This year, the feeling isn’t so much of outcry as it is fatigue at having seen the gradual changes take place over the last several years.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“2K had little choice but to listen to its community following the damage done last year but they’ve rebounded with possibly their best-ever title.”
read full review ↗ - 84
“With solid gameplay mechanics and feeling, NBA 2K19 successfully met our expectations.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“NBA2K’s latest installment proves to be an excellent basketball sim, bringing more refined, realistic gameplay, and balances to offense and defense. The MyCareer story is much improved, and the progression system feels more forgiving than previous iterations. While the rest of the package mostly mirrors what we’ve seen before, overall, these marked improvements to the series make it hard to hold it against 2K19.”
read full review ↗ - 92
“Despite the microtransactions, the new masterpiece of Visual Concepts rules on and off the court. NBA 2K19 is full of features and details and it’s one of the best basketball sims, ever.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“NBA 2K19 keeps going higher and settling itself as the ultimate basketball game with a rejuvenated career mode, even if we still find the city a bit too big as there is no transportation means. If you're a fan of the NBA, this is clearly the game to choose.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“The game is interesting to play, but you need to pay extra for this joy. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
Push Square
Worth Playing
GameSpot
TheSixthAxis
Metro GameCentral
Digital Trends
IGN
RedTieGuy…and 38 more tracked reviews.