PlayStation 4 Critic Reviews

I would say if you enjoyed the over the top nature of NBA Jam and don’t want to think too hard about your gaming… NBA Playgrounds 2 is a great buy. Whether having friends round or just wanting a casual game to grab and play, there’s a lot of fun to be had here.

Arcade sports games aren't as plentiful as they once were so the fact that NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is as enjoyable as it is speaks volumes for what the genre is capable of. Plus, those who played the original are sure to appreciate its additions and refined visuals.

NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 adds depth to both the solo and multiplayer modes. Season mode improves the card collecting loop and Playgrounds Championship introduces ranked play for competitive users. The 2v2 basketball gameplay perhaps feels a bit too familiar but it’s refined in welcome ways. Pick-up-and-play arcade basketball is, thankfully, still alive and well.

NBA Playgrounds 2 can only be described as a sincere effort to take what made those legendary games of the past work in a contemporary context. It just simply doesn’t have the variety of modes one would expect from a game like this. However, almost every other department is full of new ideas that have applied with precision. At half the price of a retail game, NBA Playgrounds 2 is worth the investment, if only to see what the team at 2K can do with a third chance at bat to possibly deliver a generational party game.

Fun, old school gameplay with over the top action, beautiful dunks and awesome power-ups. The game has quite a lot of content to offer and is a lot of fun to play with other people. Because you need to have two players from one same team in order to properly begin playing NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 (players are handed out at random), the game gets off to a slow start. A drawback is the micro transaction heavy online multiplayer which dampens the fun, but nevertheless NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is a very fun game to play.

NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is an extremely fun and competitive game at its core, and with the publisher’s history of terrible microtransactions, it’s good to see a basketball game that’s easy to pick up and enjoy without having to spend money. The game is generous with its in game currency which makes playing the game very rewarding, especially if you invest time in the game’s improved Season Mode. If you’re looking for a slightly silly, competitive basketball game to play online, this is definitely for you.

NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 offers an arcade basketball experience that's both fun and simple, with fluid gameplay and some over-the-top movements that really stand out when playing.

Saber Interactive has almost reached the level that NBA fans deserve in this arcade game, with more playable depth and hundreds of players. Despite its lack of offline modes, NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 is a solid alternative for casual basketball fans.

If ever there was a game that could be boosted by an instant replay feature, it's NBA Playgrounds 2. There are times when you pull off a completely over-the-top slam, and having the option to watch it over from different angles would be fun.

This sequel is a step forward in pretty much every aspect. It is a very good option if you want to play with friends, although you’ll feel it falls a little bit short when it comes to single player content.