In my years of playing the NBA 2K series, one issue has always been playing defense.

Video games are often about having fun, and stopping someone can take a back seat to crazy scoring numbers. But there are times when a game is close and good defense is necessary. In NBA 2K25, set to be released Friday, the ability to move defensively is one of the more noticeable improvements.

Defensive players often get overlooked by fans and even media reps who follow the game. In most video games of the past, every defender on the perimeter had stiff movements. Stealing the ball would resemble just trying to smack the opponent’s arm. Your best bet to stop an opponent was often hoping they’d go to the rim and that a center could block the shot at the basket.

2K has made adjustments in its latest NBA game. And in short, 2K25 has a more realistic look and feel than the versions before it.

Gameplay

Overall, the game flows better in all facets. This is part of the ProPLAY system that 2K said added “1,500 dribbling animations, 1,100 signature shot animations from most rostered players from the 2023-24 NBA season, and more than 1,300 new off-the-ball animations, including 150 new signature motion styles.”

What jumped out defensively was the ability to slide laterally and move forward and backward on defense. 2K defined the change as a “brand-new defensive cutoff system that empowers defensive-minded players.” Players fighting over, under or through screens look more true to life. When a game is close, there will be a legitimate chance to play defense instead of a winning play coming down to whoever has the ball last.

I tested all those functions with NBA and WNBA teams, and the gameplay was fluid. I tried to use players who were good perimeter shooters, post players and players who like to drive to the basket to get a feel. The game is more realistic.

Shooting

Shooting in 2K has always been tricky for some, particularly new gamers. I’ve always favored using a button and timing up a meter, even if it meant shooting from long distance, which can be challenging. (I’ve tried and hated using one of the joysticks to control shooting.)

There’s plenty of variety on how to shoot. “Pro Stick Rhythm Shooting” allows a gamer to closely simulate a player’s shooting rhythm and release, and it is much improved from past versions of shooting with the joystick. There also is the freedom to customize the timing and visual cues used when shooting, regardless of the shooting method.

Game modes

The enhancements to other game modes were fun to explore. You can enter “The Steph Era” in the MyNBA mode and attempt to stop the 2017 Golden State Warriors from winning the NBA championship. The MyGM mode allows you to give your chosen general manager a more in-depth backstory that impacts how a team is built.

The W mode is an improved version of the WNBA where the story mode includes news conferences that allow gamers to shape the direction of their player. This is a needed and overdue addition.

Gamers should look for WNBA news conferences when competing in W mode. (Screenshot courtesy of 2K)

None of those would matter if 2K25 hadn’t made its gameplay smoother. Regardless of the mode chosen, the experience is improved.

Conclusion

I enjoyed playing this game a lot more than I have in recent years. The soundtrack is another bonus, particularly if you are a hip-hop fan. There’s a variety of newer artists (Key Glock, Latto) mixed in with more seasoned artists (KRS-One, Eminem) for gamers to listen to before getting into the gameplay.

My biggest problem? Finding enough hours to play 2K25 along with Madden 25 and College Football 25. This has been one of the best summers for sports gamers in a long time.

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(Top photo of Nikola Jokić: Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today)