There are only a few things that can be relied on in this world, and an annual release from theNBA 2Kseries is one of them. 2K’s leading basketball game franchise, despite all its problems, has been virtually unopposed in the gaming market for decades now, and that doesn’t seem to be changing withNBA 2K25which, while still not revolutionary by any means, is at least anoticeable improvement overNBA 2K24.
Players hungry for a bit more change might want to check outNBA 2K25’s latest game mode: Gravity Ball, which serves as an alternate competitive activity couched within the MyTown virtual community/metaverse hub. It is somewhat similar to sports like soccer or water polo, in the sense that two teams compete for a single ball that must be shot through a goal to score. Different movement mechanics, power ups, and the fact that it’s just similar enough to the core basketball gameplay of the base game help Gravity Ball fit in nicely with the rest of what2K25has to offer, and its novelty should be refreshing to some players, if nothing else. That said, the potential excitement of this new mode is dampened by a disappointing, but predictable, approach to monetization.
NBA 2K25’s Gravity Ball Mode Didn’t Need To Be $8
Gravity Ball Would Have Been a Decent Free Addition to 2K25
NBA 2K25is considerably wackier with Gravity Ballin the mix, and that’s nice, but it’s not exactly transformative.2K25is still the same old2K, right on schedule, with a few superficial bells and whistles; Gravity Ball is just another activity to engage with, maximizing playtime rather than providing a truly engaging, mechanically interesting gameplay experience.
And that’s fine on its own—no one was asking for Gravity Ball specifically, after all, and it shows that 2K is making an attempt toexperiment and improve theNBA 2Kexperience, which is so often criticized for making only the most ineffectual or pointless changes between releases. Or at least, it would have shown that, had it not been stamped with an $8 USD price tag, reducing it to yet another in-game purchase in a sea of egregious microtransactions. Indeed, rather than proving that 2K cares about shaking up its leading sports franchise, Gravity Ball may have proven the opposite, serving as a way to double-down on the developer’s most laughable and maligned business practices.
NBA 2K Missed a Chance to Offer Gravity Ball as a Gesture of Good Will
NBA 2Khas a long and controversial history with microtransactions. Featured mostly through modes like MyCareer and MyTeam, the franchise has repeatedly enforced some of the most absurd in-game purchases in gaming history. The usual suspects, like cosmetics, are certainly prominent, but the role of VC in character progression is what bothers most players. In essence, 2K has progressively made it more difficult to level up a customNBA 2Kcharacter over the years, thereby “encouraging” players to spend money on virtual currency to achieve that end. It’s marketed as a convenience, but it’s really a solution to a problem that shouldn’t exist in the first place.
These in-game purchases are made all the worse by the middling degree of variance betweenNBA 2Kreleases.
Over time, this reliance on microtransactions has soiled the franchise’s reputation somewhat, driving fans away or throwing cold water on their excitement for new releases. With this reputation in mind, a new, silly game mode, included for free, could have been a gesture of good will from 2K, showing audiences that the company isn’t always trying to nickel-and-dime them. Sadly, the opposite message was sent here: Gravity Ball’s price tag, though relatively meager, is further evidence ofNBA 2K’s rampant opportunism.
NBA 2K25
WHERE TO PLAY
Command every court with authenticity and realism Powered by ProPLAY™, giving you ultimate control over how you play in NBA 2K25. Define your legacy in MyCAREER, MyTEAM, MyNBA, and The W. Express yourself with an array of customization options and explore an all-new City rich with opportunity.POWERED BY ProPLAY™: Bring your game to life with ProPLAY™, immersive technology that directly translates NBA footage into engaging gameplay. Get up close and personal with your favorite NBA superstars and immerse yourself in clutch moments, as ProPLAY™ powers the most authentic NBA experience to date.COMPETE IN THE CITY: The City is the ultimate proving ground; hit the park for some streetball fun and compete at various new venues. Pay homage to legends of the game in MyCAREER as you eclipse their records and usher in the greatest dynasty of all-time. Let your talents shine in a bustling City and etch your name among the greats.BUILD YOUR DYNASTY: Build a dynasty that transcends eras, and redefine what it means to be the best as a General Manager in MyNBA. Explore the unique challenges that come with overseeing an NBA front office and cherish the ultimate reward of winning a championship, or multiple. Choose from six Eras, including an all-new Era, and become the next mastermind to change the game forever.
