NBA 2K23 Authentic Gameplay
NBA 2K23 gameplay brings many improvements that make every game a more realistic gaming experience as detailed by 2K in the latest update of the courtside report.
This year 2K has focused on authentic gameplay and creating a fresh and similar experience between Current and Next Gen.
Last year the defense in NBA 2K22 and it had an important role. This year, NBA 2K23 takes offensive play to the next level with many new tools that will simulate an experience as close to the real thing as possible.
The biggest update will be found in new Pro Stick gesture combos with a new shot mechanic.
There will be features both in the way of shooting and in handling the ball.
For dunking, the metered skill dunks from NBA 2K22 (ability to force difficult dunks in traffic with a timed shot meter) return, but the new commands allow us to expand the dunking controls to let you dunk exactly how you want without accidentally firing off a skill dunk you weren’t expecting.
When driving to the basket with the Sprint trigger held, the new Pro Stick control map for dunks is as follows:
- UP = Two-Hand
- RIGHT = Strong Hand
- LEFT = Weak Hand
- DOWN = Rim Hang
- UP-UP = Flashy Two-Hand
- DOWN-UP = Flashy One-Hand
- UP-DOWN = Normal Skill Dunk with meter
- DOWN-DOWN = Rim Hang Skill Dunk with meter
Layups will feel more natural than ever, with new gestures specially created for small guards who want to throw the ball quickly. In the video below we can see how Devin Booker attacks the rim with a very real movement, raising his right arm to throw the ball with a simple flick of the wrist.
It will be fun to taunt your opponents with different dribbles, but now we should be aware that linking too many moves repeatedly will directly affect the energy of the player we are controlling.
NBA 2K23 Shot Meters and Feedback
This year, NBA 2K23 will feature 5 new shot meters and fifteen more that can be unlocked throughout the year.
In the video below we can see the different shooting meters that are available. A great improvement that we can adapt according to our preferences.
Next Gen Badge System
FINISHING
- Slithery - Makes it easier to gather through traffic, avoiding collisions and strips
- Masher - Increases ability to finish inside layups over defenders
- Aerial Wizard - Ability to successfully complete alley–oops and putbacks
- Bully - Like Giannis and LeBron, able to finish strong by bulldozing through traffic
- Removed Badge: Hook Specialist
SHOOTING
- Agent 3 - Ability to hit difficult 3PT shots off the dribble
- Middy Magician - Improved ability to knock down mid-range jumpers off the bounce or out of the post like MJ
- Amped - Reduces the shooting attribute penalties when fatigued and when moving excessively prior to shooting
- Claymore - Increases a spot up shooter’s ability to knock down catch and shoot jumpers the longer they remain stationary prior to shooting
- Comeback Kid - Improved ability to shoot perimeter jumpers when trailing in a game
- Hand Down Man Down - Makes an outside shooter even deadlier if opponent fails to get a hand in the face
- Space Creator - Formerly a Playmaking badge, it now boosts the ability to hit stepback jumpers and hop shots, and also will cause defenders to stumble more often
- Limitless Range - An old favorite returns, making shooters more effective with any shot attempt from deep 3PT range
- Removed Badges: Chef, Hot Zone Hunter, Lucky #7, Mismatch Expert (moved to playmaking), Set Shooter, Sniper, and Limitless Spot-Up
PLAYMAKING
- Killer Combos - Improves a dribbler’s effectiveness with size-up dribble moves (basically a combination of last year’s Quick Chain and Tight Handles badges)
- Clamp Breaker - Helps ball handlers win more 1-on-1 body bump confrontations (the counter to Clamps)
- Vice Grip - Improves ball security immediately after securing a rebound, catch, or picking up the ball. Great badge for bigs!
- Mismatch Expert - Formerly a shooting badge, this badge now helps smaller guards break down taller defenders when mismatched 1-on-1
- Removed Badges: Bullet Passer, Downhill, Glue Hands, Stop & Go
DEFENSE/REBOUNDING
- Anchor - A crucial badge for last line of defense bigs, improves ability to block and contest shots in the paint
- Boxout Beast - Helps rebounders win boxout battles on both offensive and defensive rebounding situations
- Work Horse - The Pat Bev badge that boosts your ability to hustle down 50/50 balls and play hard-nosed defense without getting tired
- Glove - Named after legendary defender Gary Payton, helps you strip players as they gather for shots and poke the ball free from ball handlers
- Challenger - Improves the effectiveness of perimeter shot contests
- Removed Badge: Defensive Leader
NBA 2K23 is set to release on September 9 for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms.