First-ever glimpses of NBA 2K26 are there, and the world is split down the middle. Pre-orders are already ongoing for the Superstar and Leave No Doubt Editions, but for the gaming world, it is either buzzing with anticipation or already completely over it-there are no mixed feelings.
An appearance for the PlayStation kind of street cred gave us a sneak peek at the covers, and the reactions are mixed, with the instance of the PlayStation crowd denouncing the covers as “hot garbage.” The other crowd is ready to ball. The Leave No Doubt Edition would contain plenty of content for the really, really serious fan. Is it just about enough to make another yearly release worth it?
One thing for sure is that NBA 2K26 stands already stirred a pot. People on the cover are roasting 2K for “AI-looking” designs and for recycling an old idea. “Literally the same game but with a different number,” goes the comment, an analogy to the annual marketing strategy of Call of Duty. That hurts!
That being said, not all voice attacks. Few supporters of the franchise say that “2K could take on EA in a soccer game if they would bother.” That is a bold statement considering EA being home to FIFA (now FC). And then others are somewhat puzzled-who is MeBounds and why does it look like it’s being overtaken by the Celtics?
Well, the real question, though, will that better this year or be just another roster update with a fresh coat of paint? The ones above have the series going downhill; NBA 2K25 was better than 24 but can’t hold a candle to 23. Not to mention, 2K hard-crashes on PS5, says one gamer, whereas the same game works fine on Xbox.
Pre-orders are out right now, but the real test will be whether players will keep shelling out for another $60 (or so) for what largely is viewed as more or less the same thing. Some fans have been yearning for a change, amidst the pleas for NCAA basketball in the comment section.
Is NBA 2K26 going to kill the haters or just a case of the same game, different year? Well, we have to wait and see. What we do know, however, is that the argument probably will go on till forever.
Meanwhile, one is advised to have a peek at the official pre-order page if one’s in doubt. Just don’t expect every end to proclaim it worth the money.
