While the heavy emphasis on microtransactions is still front and centre in NBA 2K19, progression has been improved enough to make this a far more attractive prospect for both rookies and seasoned vets. With a vastly superior MyCareer story, a revamped social hub, a suitably tweaked MyGM mode and all the presentation-focused bells and whistles you expect from the premiere basketball sim, NBA 2K19 continues to cement itself as one of the Switch’s strongest sports offerings. If you needed any more proof that Madden, NHL and the like can work on Nintendo’s hardware, this is it.

Despite its issues, NBA 2K19 is by far the best installment in the franchise’s history. No matter which team I play as, no matter the late-game situation, it does a tremendous job of pulling me in. Its presentation enriches me with tons of basketball info and insight, plus its gameplay makes me more anxious for the actual NBA season to start (in a good way). There are still improvements that can be made for next year’s game, but 2K Sports and Visual Concepts shows their dominance while also celebrating 20 years of NBA 2K basketball.

You can do pretty much whatever you want, whether it’s play every game with your favorite team, sim seasons and be a manager, invent your own team, bring in legends to the modern NBA, or play through cinematic stories. It’s a lot to take in and sift through, but if you have a passing affinity for basketball, a mode is likely here for you. NBA 2K19 is a top-tier sports game, even on the Switch. It’s just a shame the microtransactions are ever present.

NBA 2K19 has a better career system than previous entries in the franchise with improved defense mechanisms and more intelligent gameplay. Beside some deja-vu feelings about the content, it delivers a great experience.

Basketball lovers will enjoy a title where realism is extreme. The improvement in the strategy will make us feel that each match is unique and its countless game modes will not allow us to get bored. However, its story is mediocre and it has very obvious script problems. In addition, the online connection, very poor, and microtransactions, almost essential, tarnish the quality of a great game.

Micro-transactions and a very flat career mode kind of spoil what is the best basketball game this year.