STACK #251 September 2025

GAMING FEATURE

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MAKE A COURT DATE!

What’s in store for us in this year’s MyCAREER?

I mean, just for starters, this year’s MyCAREER features the equivalent of five motion pictures worth of content. NBA 2K26 features a reimagined, modern day MyCAREER story that allows players to traverse through their dream NBA career from humble beginnings in Vermont all the way to being an NBA icon, with the end goal being to secure a spot amongst the all-time greats and acquire an illustrious Hall of Fame Jacket. How’s MyTEAM looking? For the first time ever, NBA and WNBA players will take the court together, as WNBA Player Cards have been fully integrated into every aspect of MyTEAM. Players can now mix and match current superstars with players from both leagues to create their all-time dream rosters.

It’s time to return to the basketball court this month with the arrival of NBA 2K26 .We caught up once again with Erick Boenisch, the VP of NBA 2K development at Visual Concepts, to get an update on all the latest advances that fans can expect. Words Amy Flower

In higher difficulties and most competitive modes, it’s now green or miss for jump shots, raising the stakes and intensity. Based on community feedback, both the Shot Meter and Dunk Meter show green windows, similar to NBA 2K24 . We’ve also made Layup Timing always on, so skilled finishers can truly stand out, especially in traffic or under pressure. Bottom line, this year is built for players who want to prove they’ve got the skills to be the best. Conversely, if you just want to lean back on your couch and play more casually, you can also knock down the difficulty level and enjoy a more casual experience. I really like to say that NBA 2K26 was built to be welcoming to players of all skill levels! A new year means tweaks to controls/ gameplay – what would you say are the most significant ones in NBA 2K26 ? NBA 2K26 delivers the most true-to-life gameplay in series history, thanks to major upgrades to ProPLAY and a brand-new Motion Engine. With a renewed focus on skill, the game puts your input front and centre, whether it’s shielding the ball with Quick Protect, breaking defenders with revamped Signature Size-Ups, or knocking down fast releases with No-Dip Catch-and-Shoots. Add in new passing tools, smarter screen setting, and the removal of RNG shooting, and every decision on the sticks truly matters. Movements feel smoother, and controls

How was it working with this year’s cover star, superstar overachiever Shai Gilgeous Alexander, and how involved did he get with NBA 2K26 ? Working with Shai was great. As a legit gamer and part of the 2K community, he brought the same level of focus and originality to NBA 2K26 that he brings to the court. His performance on the mocap set for MyCAREER was nothing short of professional and one of the best player performances I’ve seen in a long time! Additionally, Shai also personally curated the Season One soundtrack, putting together a playlist that reflects his own off-court vibe and taste. He also worked closely with our team, including Ronnie 2K, to help suggest in-game apparel brands.

But this is just one new feature among many in MyTEAM this year. Players will love the new Game Changer Cards, playing 5v5 Co-op in All-Star Team-Up, the return of 2K15 ’s Sunset Beach at night in Triple Threat Park, and so much more. What new ProPLAY features can we look forward to? This year, ProPLAY powers the all-new dynamic Motion Engine, making actions feel more lifelike and realistic. Every action on the court is enhanced - offense, defence, and off-ball - allowing players to experience more precise and exact movement. That means they can plant, jab, and pivot with reduced sliding or skating. This is the biggest change to player movement since NBA 2K21 , bringing the action closer than ever to real NBA basketball and offering a fresh and authentic feeling every time you step on the court. What do you personally think is the coolest new feature in NBA 2K26 ? It’s so hard to pick only one! From the integration of the WNBA into MyTEAM, enhanced ProPLAY animations, a brand-new prelude story in MyCAREER, more insights in the MyPLAYER Builder, and the introduction of Crews in the City, this year’s game definitely steps up both the skill and the style. All these improvements come together to create a basketball experience that

Can you please tell us more about the focus on skills this year?

In NBA 2K26 , we’ve really focused on rewarding skill-based gameplay, where your input on the sticks directly impacts what happens on the court.

NBA 2K26 is the 27th instalment in the mainline NBA 2K series. DYK?

more responsive, making the action on the court look and play more like the real thing than ever before.

feels more authentic and satisfying than ever, for those new to our game and our diehard fans.

• NBA 2K26 is out Sep 5

66 SEPTEMBER 2025

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