NBA 2K19 is a basketball simulation video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports, based on the National Basketball Association (NBA). It is the 20th installment in the NBA 2K franchise, the successor to NBA 2K18, and the predecessor to NBA 2K20. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is the cover athlete for the standard edition, while LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is the cover athlete for the 20th Anniversary Edition.[1] Antetokounmpo a 1x NBA MVP winner and James a 4x NBA MVP grace the cover in North America, while 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year Award winner Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers, an Australian native, is featured on the cover in Australia and New Zealand.
NBA 2K19 was released on September 11, 2018 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised the gameplay and some calling it the best installment of the series, while its emphasis on microtransactions which is called VC, (virtually currency) was universally criticized. The career mode story line also features authentic CBA commentary in Mandarin Chinese, a first of the series.
NBA 2K19 was officially announced on June 5, 2018 and the early access prelude was able to be played Aug 31, 2018 and released on September 11, 2018; players who pre-ordered the 20th Edition of the game received it on September 7, 2018. It was the first game in the series since NBA 2K6 (Xbox 360) and NBA 2K7 (PlayStation 3) to not be released for either platform.[1] It was released for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, and Android. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is the cover athlete for the standard edition version of the game,[2] while LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is the cover athlete for the 20th Anniversary Edition, which includes various physical and digital extras.[3] James was previously the cover athlete of NBA 2K14 for the Standard Edition.
NBA 2K19's soundtrack was curated by rapper Travis Scott, who has five songs featured in the game.[4] The soundtrack offers a wide range of musical artists, such as Lil Uzi Vert, BROCKHAMPTON, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Alison Wonderland, Marshmello, Three Days Grace, Bruno Mars and Cardi B, Migos, Sheck Wes, and more.
NBA 2K19 received "generally favorable" reviews from critics for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, & Nintendo Switch, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[5][6]
Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game 7/10, writing: "NBA 2K19 had a real opportunity to learn from last year's mistakes, and in some ways it did. The Neighborhood is more convenient, the Prelude is way more interesting, and the gameplay has seen some subtle but important improvements. Unfortunately, all this is marred yet again by the game's predatory microtransaction system, which turns the MyCareer stuff into a grind-heavy, pay-to-skip farce."[8]
GameSpot also gave the game 7/10, saying: "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.[10]
In its 8.5/10 review, IGN wrote, "NBA 2K19's rock-solid gameplay and strong sense of style make it the best of the series, but its style is slightly cramped by microtransactions."[11] Kotaku also criticized the game for pervasive microtransaction demands throughout the game on top of the initial premium price.[13]
The game was nominated for "Best Sports/Racing Game" at The Game Awards 2018,[14] for "Fan Favorite Sports/Racing Game" at the Gamers' Choice Awards,[15] for "Sports, Racing or Fighting Title of the Year" at the Australian Games Awards,[16] for "Song Collection" at the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards,[17] for "Most Promising New eSports Game" at the SXSW Gaming Awards,[18] and for "Best Sport Game" at the Italian Video Game Awards.