NBA 2K24 – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

NBA 2K24

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

game2023

48%

WISE Score

47%

IGDB

The annual basketball sim that's great at hoops, terrible at respecting your wallet—pay $70 to unlock the privilege of spending more money.

NBA 2K24

game

2023

48%

WISE Score

47%

IGDB

The annual basketball sim that's great at hoops, terrible at respecting your wallet—pay $70 to unlock the privilege of spending more money.

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Screenwise Verdict

NBA 2K24 is a technically solid basketball simulation wrapped in one of gaming's most predatory business models. If your kid loves basketball, they'll get authentic gameplay and can learn real strategy. But you're paying $70 for a game that immediately starts asking for more money.

The Virtual Currency system is designed to make progress painfully slow unless you pay up—think of it as a free-to-play mobile game that somehow also costs full price. Your MyCAREER player will take forever to improve, and MyTEAM mode is essentially a card-collecting money sink.

That dismal 47/100 player rating tells you everything: even fans are fed up. If your kid is a die-hard basketball fan, set clear spending boundaries before they start playing. If they're casual about hoops, there are far better ways to spend your gaming budget.

Age Fit

Best for middle school and high school basketball fans (ages 10-17) who are already invested in NBA culture and can handle the monetization pressure without constant spending. Younger kids will struggle with both the complexity and the constant upsell tactics.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Sports simulation that models teamwork and competitive basketball. However, the NBA 2K series is known for hyper-commercialized presentation with heavy product placement, endorsement deals, and flashy culture that can feel more about brand consumption than pure sportsmanship. The MyCAREER mode often includes storylines with some mild language and attitude typical of professional sports culture.

Imaginative

Offers team-building in MyTEAM mode and franchise management in MyNBA, plus extensive character customization in MyCAREER. However, it's fundamentally a simulation of real basketball rather than truly creative or exploratory gameplay. You're recreating existing sports scenarios within defined parameters rather than building something genuinely novel or imaginative.

Safe

The NBA 2K series is notorious for aggressive monetization despite being a full-price game. While the data shows 'in_game_purchases: false' and 'loot_boxes_or_gacha: false', this contradicts widespread reporting about the series. NBA 2K games typically feature Virtual Currency (VC) that players are heavily pressured to purchase to progress at reasonable rates, especially in MyCAREER and MyTEAM modes. The grind-to-pay ratio is designed to frustrate players into spending. Online interactions can expose kids to toxic competitive behavior. The low IGDB rating (47/100) suggests significant player dissatisfaction, likely tied to monetization.

Enriching

Teaches basketball fundamentals, strategy, team management, and sports history through various modes. MyNBA mode offers some GM/franchise management skills. However, the learning is largely confined to basketball knowledge and basic resource management. The game prioritizes grinding and microtransaction engagement over meaningful skill development or broader life lessons.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Authentic basketball simulation with realistic gameplay mechanics and current NBA/WNBA rosters
MyNBA mode offers legitimate franchise management strategy for kids interested in the business side of sports
Can teach basketball fundamentals, plays, and sports history through various game modes
Provides a way for basketball fans to engage with their favorite sport year-round

⚠

What to Watch For

Extremely aggressive microtransaction system—expect constant pressure to buy Virtual Currency to make meaningful progress
The grind-to-play ratio is deliberately frustrating to push purchases; your kid will likely ask for money repeatedly
Online modes expose players to competitive toxicity, trash talk, and unsportsmanlike behavior
Heavy product placement and commercial branding throughout creates a very consumerist experience
That 47/100 rating isn't a typo—players are genuinely frustrated with this game's design choices

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the game makes it so hard to improve your player without spending extra money?"
"What's more important in basketball—individual stats or team success? How does the game reward each?"
"Have you noticed how much advertising and branding is in the game? Why do you think they do that?"
"When you play online, how do you handle opponents who are being toxic or unsportsmanlike?"

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