NBA 2K is the latest sports gaming franchise to fully transition into the next generation. On Thursday, fans got their first extensive look at the NBA 2K26, which features several significant upgrades and visual enhancements.
In an era where some sports video games have begun to lean more toward the arcadey and the cartoonish, it appears the latest NBA 2K release will be a pendulum swing toward simulation-esque authenticity.
Making It Feel Real
To increase the realism of the NBA gaming experience, 2K began with improving the in-arena atmosphere presented in the game.
“We want to blur the line between reality and gameplay as much as possible, and NBA 2K26 portrays that lifelike presentation like never before,” Visual Concepts executive Erick Boenisch said in a press release. “Each detail, big and small, captures the essence of what it feels like to be in your favorite team’s arena – the championship banners hanging from the rafters, iconic broadcast voices, and fans cheering and heckling in the stands are fully brought to life.”
There was also a major focus on improving player fidelity, which encompasses all the fine details of each individual player—from the stitches on their jersey numbers to the beads of sweat that accumulate on their foreheads.
“The evolution of player fidelity is more noticeable thanks to a new shader that brings out the subtleties of each player’s skin,” 2K’s press release explained. “This latest shading technology makes every detail of the game more vivid and dynamic-highlighting elements like the curvature of embroidered names on the backs of jerseys, ultra-fine stitching, and even improved muscle definition after a thunderous dunk.”
MyPlayer
MyPlayer customization and MyCareer as a whole are two things that have needed some revitalization for a handful of years now. While it’s shainot a complete overhaul, 2K released a nearly five-minute-long video on Thursday, teasing a revamped player builder that features an all-new animations glossary and more. One of these additions is a new “Build by Badges” feature, which automatically locks in the required attribute caps to achieve your desired allocation of badges.
Explore endless opportunities to build your MyPLAYER plus new ways to improve your build throughout #NBA2K26 📊
Learn more about all-new features including the Animation Glossary, Custom Takeovers, and more in the Courtside Report ⤵️https://t.co/SXOqfakAoU pic.twitter.com/mzOOkGryKB
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) August 7, 2025
Another new MyPlayer feature in NBA 2K26 includes “Build Specialization Goals”, allowing you to pick one of five skill areas (shooting, passing, rebounding, etc.) for your player to focus on. Each area features nine goals that are tuned specifically for each skill set, rewarding players with skill boosts, (virtual) apparel, special cap breakers and more.
There’s also a brand new scouting report tool for MyPlayer. This allows gamers to get an in-depth look at their build that includes a detailed look at your strengths, weaknesses and potential.
Upcoming Release
NBA 2K26 will be released globally on September 5, with early access available to those who pre-ordered the game starting August 29. The primary edition features Oklahoma City Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the cover, while the WNBA edition features Chicago Sky All-Star Angel Reese. Recent Hall of Fame inductee Carmelo Anthony got the nod for the Superstar edition and all three players are featured on the Leave No Doubt edition.
