NBA 2K27 has become the best-selling video game of 2026 in the US, according to new sales data, overtaking Capcom's Resident Evil Requiem, which had held the top spot since its February release. Despite its commercial success, the basketball sim has drawn heavy criticism from players, reflected in a dismal 3.2/10 user score on Metacritic.
The game launched in late August via early access, followed by a full release in September. While it earned a respectable average critic score of 78 on Metacritic, user reviews paint a different picture, with many players expressing frustration over gameplay issues, microtransactions, and perceived lack of developer responsiveness.
Player Complaints and Microtransactions
User reviews on Metacritic show widespread dissatisfaction, with one player writing: 'Take a stand and skip this game because a message needs to be sent to 2K that it's not OK to put out redundant c*** like this.' Another review states: 'NBA 2K27 is absolutely horrible. The developers clearly don't listen to the community, and they continue to let cheaters ruin the game without banning them, even when players report them.'
Microtransactions are a frequent point of criticism, with one review saying: 'This isn't a basketball game anymore, it's a slot machine wearing a jersey.' The game's Steam page shows a similar pattern, with an average 'Mixed' rating and numerous complaints.
One lengthy Steam review from a player who purchased the deluxe edition, season pass, and multiple microtransactions compares the game to working a second job, and claims their account was banned after 70 hours of playtime with no explanation. Another review calls it 'one of the worst [NBA 2Ks] to date,' citing bugs, gameplay issues, and pay-to-win mechanics.
Sales Success and Market Context
Industry analysts suggest NBA 2K27's success stems from the popularity of basketball as a sport rather than the game's quality, as it appeals to casual players who buy only one or two games a year for multiplayer with friends. This mirrors the pattern seen with EA Sports FC and Call of Duty, which are also expected to sell strongly.
The same US sales data also shows Insomniac's Wolverine was the best-selling game of September, despite underwhelming reviews and social media criticism. According to Circana's Mat Piscatella, Wolverine enjoyed the biggest launch month of any Sony published game since Helldivers 2 in 2024.
