With the recent release of NBA 2K25, many fans of the franchise have bought their copy and are enjoying all the game has to offer. When it was announced, the game made its fair share of promises to illustrate the major improvements that players could expect to find in the newest installment of the franchise.

Developer Visual Concepts, and Publisher 2K Games, not only discussed major overhauls in game mechanics that NBA 2K24 had already nailed, but also considerable improvements in player designs, lighting technologies, and the return of a few beloved elements of the franchise that had been removed from previous installments.

5 Ray Tracing

A Welcome Addition, Even If It’s PC Exclusive

• Ray Tracing comes to “The City”
• The implementation of this technology could be a foreshadowing of further inclusion of it in future titles

One of the most argued over aspects surrounding sports games and current-gen graphics development is how necessary a Ray Tracing feature is in them. Some players think that they make games look considerably better, while others find it completely unnecessary, as sports games are more about competition and fast-paced action than they are about modern lighting enhancements.

Whatever the case, NBA 2K25 has introduced Ray Tracing into the franchise, which is a wonderful improvement in terms of graphics and lighting possibilities. This feature, however, isn’t available in every game mode, as it’s restricted to “The City.” While that might be a little disappointing to a few players, the addition of this lighting technology could foreshadow a more in depth implementation of it in future installments of the franchise.

4 Return Of The Auction House

Players Had Been Asking For It To Make A Comeback

• NBA 2K25 brings back The Auction House
• Players can use MTP to increase the size of their card collection

When it was first announced that The Auction House was not going to be in NBA 2K24, many players were, to say the least, displeased, as it was a feature that several people liked about the game. Luckily, NBA 2K25 brings back the critically acclaimed feature, pleasing players and offering them the option to collect their cards once again.

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In The Auction House, players can use their “MyTEAM Points,” or MTP, to increase the size of their collection and buy any player card that they want. It’s also possible to sell cards that players no longer find valuable.

3 Dribble Engine Overhaul

A Considerable Improvement On An Existing Game Mechanic

• New Dribble Engine allows players to have more control over the ball
• The engine integrates with the game’s physics to provide natural-looking movements

Although NBA 2K24 had dribbling, NBA 2K25 introduces what is arguably one of the biggest changes in the franchise’s game mechanics to date. The game’s new Dribble Engine brings a whole new level of control to basketball, allowing players to have great precision and a wide variety of dribble moves.

Some of the moves players can make with the new Dribble Engine are crossovers, quick changes of direction, and more. The engine also integrates with the game’s physics, making ball control fluid, realistic, and true to life.

2 Improved Player Models And Animations

Players Now Look More Realistic

• Player models are now more realistic, and so are their animations
• Motion capturing technologies have allowed developers to deliver much better results

One of the most important features about a sports game is that players look like their real-life counterparts; otherwise, a lot of the immersion is lost, and the experience isn’t as enjoyable. NBA 2K25 understands this, as it has new and improved player models and animations that infuse the title with a touch of realism that is most welcome.

With the introduction of motion capturing technologies and facial expression tracking, developers can now take full advantage of real-life models to aid them in the production and development process behind a game such as this one. When comparing the graphics and game mechanics of, say, NBA 2K21 to the newest installment of the franchise, many of the graphical improvements are clear to see.

1 Smarter AI

AI Now Goes Harder On Both Offense And Defense

• Improved opponent AI that truly poses a challenge
• Players will need calculated strategies to win a game

NBA 2K25‘s AI takes the game one step further, as players will now have to be more strategic about their moves than ever. This title features AI player technology that excels in many aspects, such as Court Spacing, Coaching, Offense, and Defense, allowing for small margins of error and demanding players’ full focus.

NBA 2K25‘s new AI adapts to players’ style, making every game feel different and challenging. On the offense, players can expect to see improved driving lanes and far superior defense logic from the AI. While this technology is far from being able to replicate playing against another human being (a fact true for this and other modern games), it does represent a considerable improvement over previous installments of the franchise.