NBA 2K Playgrounds 2
By David Chapman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
All-ages arcade slam dunk for basketball fans.
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NBA 2K Playgrounds 2
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What’s It About?
Leap-frogging, somersaulting, over-the-top basketball fun makes its return to the court in NBA 2K PLAYGROUNDS 2. The game's expanded NBA roster gives players the opportunity to recruit and collect over four hundred NBA players, from current all-stars like Karl-Anthony Towns and Ben Simmons to legendary Hall of Fame greats like Michael Jordan and Dr. J. Choose your team and take the action to the streets in 2v2 arcade style gameplay for 1-4 players in local or online matches. Whether you're itching for a quick pick-up game, ready to test your shooting prowess in three-point matchups, or feel like proving your team is the best by going for the championship in season play, NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 has got you covered with its full court press of features.
Is It Any Good?
By leaving the focus on stats, playbooks, and managing a team behind in favor of fun, this arcade game manages to capture lots of enjoyable basketball action. NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 leaves the detailed sim gameplay behind and instead hits the street to focus on pure b-ball fun. It immediately brings to mind the feeling of hitting a local street court and jumping into a pick-up game with friends … if those friends were NBA legends who can defy both gravity and the laws of physics. The presentation is bright, colorful, and injected with a sort of cartoonish flair that's as much fun to watch as it is to play.
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 features a host of great improvements over the original NBA Playgrounds. Thanks to the becoming part of the 2K Games family, the roster has been bulked up in both quantity and quality. With more than 400 players available to collect and even more available through downloadable roster updates, fans are likely to find more than a few of their favorite superstars. Unfortunately, fans might not be able to play those favorites right away. Players still recruit NBA stars from virtual card packs earned through gameplay or by in-game purchases. This limits available teams and players early on. Playing through a season can usually earn a decent handful of packs, but it's still a bit of a grind to find the players you want and level them up to their full potential. On the bright side, that grind isn't too frustrating simply because NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is just so much fun to play. Its arcade gameplay, over-the-top style, and entertaining personality all come together to make it a slam dunk for basketball fans of all ages.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about positive life skills like teamwork and communication. What are some of the traits that make up a good team? How can good communication between teammates help lead to victory?
What are some ways keep competitive games friendly? What are some ways for kids to be good sports, regardless of winning or losing?
Game Details
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch , Xbox One , PlayStation 4 , Windows
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: 2K Games
- Release date: October 15, 2018
- Genre: Sports
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts , Great Boy Role Models
- ESRB rating: E for No Descriptors
- Last updated: July 1, 2022
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