Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Excellent pro basketball sim now with 1992 Dream Team.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
NBA 2K13
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Based on 10 kid reviews
Kids say that the game is incredibly entertaining and fun, appreciated for its various modes and availability on multiple platforms. However, some users note that it may take some time for players unfamiliar with gaming consoles to get accustomed to controls, but overall, it remains a favored experience for both kids and adults.
- fun experience
- multiple platforms
- easy to play
- positive role model
- safe feature
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
2K Sports' NBA 2K13 is part of the critically and commercially successful professional basketball simulation series, which has "netted" more than 45 Sports Game of the Year nods. As with its predecessors, players can play as or against their favorite NBA team -- with the game's computer-controlled opponents, or better yet, against a friend or sibling beside you, or online against other players. NBA 2K13 offers new modes and a heavier emphasis on music -- including JAY-Z serving as the game's executive producer who hand-picked the 24-song soundtrack. It also introduces a feature called Control Stick, which gives players more control by mapping all dribbling and shooting to the right analog stick, while the left controls the player on the court. The game introduces something fans have been asking for years: a matchup between the 1992 NBA "Dream Team" and the 2012 U.S. Men's National team. Also new is NBA 2K Everywhere, which gives players the opportunity to access game info via Facebook or a mobile app.
Is It Any Good?
Quite simply, this is a fabulous NBA game, thanks in part to tweaked controls that feels great (putting a more emphasis on the dual analog stick instead of the buttons); outstanding graphics and animation that may fool passersby into thinking it's a real, television game; excellent play-by-play and color commentary; and an outstanding soundtrack to help keep you engaged. The game includes familiar and new modes ranging from 3-on-3 pick-up games and single game matches to franchise and career games. Despite a few issues with the somewhat convoluted interface, NBA 2K13 is an excellent b-ball sim worthy of the coveted sports franchise.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether the product placement makes sense within a video game. NBA fans see ads when they go to a game, but should they also see them within the video game? Or is it a case of 2K Sports double-dipping: making money from both the gamer and advertisers?
What rules does your family have about video games? How do you select what you play?
Game Details
- Platforms : Nintendo Wii , Nintendo Wii U , PSP , PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360
- Subjects : Language & Reading : following directions , reading , Math : addition , patterns , Hobbies : sports
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , decision-making , thinking critically , Self-Direction : motivation , work to achieve goals , Collaboration : meeting challenges together , teamwork , Health & Fitness : fine motor skills
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : 2K Sports
- Release date : October 2, 2012
- Genre : Sports
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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