The post is a the latest iteration of the Xbox Excellence Awards, which was created last year to celebrate how players engaged with various releases on Xbox. The Store Rating category lists 2025 games with the best ratings on the Microsoft Store, with an added requirement of the title having at least 500 ratings. Player Engagements is about the average number of hours spent on a game by each player within the first six weeks of a game’s release. Daily Active Users celebrates titles, expansions or updates with the highest single-day active users throughout the year. And finally Units Sold is fairly self-explanatory.

Going down the lists, you’ll find many of the biggest releases of the year, from ARC Raiders and Battlefield 6, as well as award-winning RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Indie titles have also been well-represented, with games like Crime Scene Cleaner and Satisfactory making it into the lists. There also doesn’t seem to have been a singular genre to dominate the lists, since everything from sports games like EA Sports Madden NFL 26, to fantasy adventure life sims like Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time, and even fighting games like Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics are well represented.

Curiously, none of the games was present in all four of the categories. At most, we got to see titles like Borderlands 4 being able to make it on to three of them: Player Engagement, Daily Active Users and Units Sold. Even ARC Raiders, which has seen quite a bit of success, is only on the Units Sold and Daily Active Users lists.

Microsoft has also emphasized that the lists represent a diverse collection of games developed by studios of varying sizes. All in all, it represents 48 unique developers based out of 13 countries, with 24 publishers having had a hand in their release. 19 of the games were self-published. “Taken as a whole, it’s an encapsulation of development on Xbox – we want gaming to reach you wherever you are, and for the teams making those games to find you from wherever they are,” wrote the company.

Full list of games:

Store Rating:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
• Crime Scene Cleaner
• Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2
• Digimon Story: Time Stranger
• Dreamcore
• Dynasty Warriors: Origins
• Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
• Final Fantasy XVI
• Lies of P: Overture
• Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
• Little Nightmares III
• Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics
• Minami Lane
• Mullet MadJack
• Poppy Playtime Chapter 4
• Satisfactory
• Silent Hill 2
• Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
• The First Berserker: Khazan

Player Engagement:

• Borderlands 4
• Digimon Story: Time Stranger
• Dynasty Warriors: Origins
• EA Sports College Football 26
• EA Sports FC 26
• Elden Ring Nightreign
• Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time
• Farm Together 2
• Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles
• Helldivers 2
• Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
• Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
• MLB The Show 25
• Monster Hunter Wilds
• NBA 2K26
• NHL 26
• Rust
• Satisfactory
• The First Berserker: Khazan

Daily Active Users:

• Arc Raiders
• Avowed
• Battlefield 6
• Borderlands 4
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
• DOOM: The Dark Ages
• Elden Ring Nightreign
• Fortnite
• Forza Horizon 5
• Grand Theft Auto V
• Grounded 2
• Helldivers 2
• Marvel Rivals
• Minecraft
• NBA 2K26
• Rematch
• Roblox
• Rocket League
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
• Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege

Units Sold:

• Arc Raiders
• Assassin’s Creed Shadows
• Battlefield 6
• Borderlands 4
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
• EA Sports Madden NFL 26
• EA Sports College Football 26
• EA Sports FC 26
• Elden Ring Nightreign
• Grand Theft Auto V
• Helldivers 2
• Hollow Knight: Silksong
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
• MLB The Show 25
• Monster Hunter Wilds
• NBA 2K26
• PGA Tour 2K25
• Ready or Not
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered
• WWE 2K25

Taking a closer look at software sales for the month of December, Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 took the lead, with Battlefield 6 being ranked third. Other titles in the best-seller charts for the month are a mix of newer games like Donkey Kong Bananza and older titles like Grand Theft Auto 5, Minecraft and Red Dead Redemption 2.

While other console makers might have started struggling with console sales last year, Nintendo has been doing quite well with the release of the Switch 2. Piscatella had confirmed, the Switch 2 ended up being the best-selling console of the year in the US, with the country accounting for 4.4 million units. Along with this, the new console is also noted as selling faster than the original Switch from back in 2017.

As he noted, the Switch 2’s hardware sales single-handedly managed to offset industry-wide downward trends in console hardware sales. Sony’s PS5 ranked second for the period. The Switch 2 has also been described by Piscatella as being the “fastest selling video game console hardware platform” in history so far.

While things might be going well for Nintendo for the time being, research firm Niko Partners has predicted that the company will end up raising the price of the Switch 2 thanks to the worldwide memory shortages affecting manufacturing. The firm noted that, while the Switch 2 is priced competitively when compared to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo might have to bring its latest console in line with its competitors to maintain profitability.

In the meantime, Battlefield Studios has been working hard on creating and testing more content for the upcoming second season of Battlefield 6. While it hasn’t yet revealed too many details aside from its February 17 launch date, the developers provided a few hints about what kind of content we can expect when Season 2 of Battlefield 6 is kicked off.

Among the new content coming to the game is a brand new map, dubbed Contagion, that will also feature its own unique gameplay mechanics. No details have been provided about these mechanics, aside from vague hints about players needing to use equipment to interact with them, a soldier wearing a gas mask in the teaser trailer, and the fact that the map’s name implies some sort of contagious infection will be involved.

Battlefield 6 is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. For more details, check out our review from back when it first came out.

2025 Top 20 Best-Selling Premium Games – U.S. (Dollar Sales, Physical and Digital from digital data sharing publishers, excludes add-on content)

— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2026-01-22T14:00:07.506Z

December 2025 Top 20 Best-Selling Premium Games – U.S. (Dollar Sales, Physical and Digital from digital data sharing publishers, excludes add-on content)

— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2026-01-22T14:00:07.505Z

However, in a change from previous years, it’s not the best-selling premium title for 2025 (ending November 29th). That went to EA’s Battlefield 6 with NBA 2K26 and Monster Hunter Wilds occupying the second and third spots. Black Ops 7 is in seventh place, just ahead of, conveniently enough, Black Ops 6.

Other notable titles in the top ten include Borderlands 4 at fourth place, EA Sports College Football 26 in fifth and Madden NFL 26 in sixth. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered occupied ninth place, followed by Ghost of Yōtei.

Returning to November’s sales, it was a surprisingly rough month for Nintendo Switch 2 releases as Kirby Air Riders and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment debuted in tenth and eleventh, respectively. Of course, that doesn’t include digital sales.

God of War 

There aren’t many games that are able to deliver a stunning experience in such a smooth manner as Sony Santa Monica was able to do with the 2018 reboot. This story sets the protagonist in a new setting; new boss fights and outstanding level design. It’s both fresh and recognizable at the same time, and the new combat and the camera on offer also embodies the spirit of modern third person game while making it more intentional. The 2018 reboot is definitely one of the best games on the PS4, and is a great starting point for newcomers.

This NBA 2K26 guide has every known method to farm VC quickly and efficiently.

Dailies/Weeklies

Daily Challenges and Weekly Quests are the steadiest source of VC income, so be sure to make these part of your routine for maximum benefit.

Daily Rewards

Daily Rewards are viewable on one of the TVs in the City, and VC is a potential prize from it. Return to the spinner every eight hours to give it another shot.

2KTV

These weekly episodes are another good source for VC, and are accessible from the main menu, within multiple modes, and certain locations. Simply answer a few trivia questions correctly and receive your bounty.

Older episodes are still watchable and winnable for their prizes.

Streak Breaker

VC boosts can be had from disrupting the active win streak of Park players. This is easily viewed in the Court Status or by looking for the logo at the Park.

Park MVP

With bonuses of 5X REP and 5X VC, this is a great opportunity to earn VC, especially since you can do it again every three hours. Beating the Park MVP is probably easier said than done of course, but you have the option to do it in 2v2 or 3v3.

Balance Difficulty

While VC is earned for winning games offline, the difficulty does factor into that as well. Achieve the right balance between how hard the difficulty is set, and how often you win those games for their maximum possible payout.

Those are some of the simplest ways to get lots of VC in NBA 2K26.

This guide is all about how to get the 28 Cap Breakers in NBA 2K26.

Crew Rewards

Crew Level 8 = 1 Cap Breaker

Crew Level 15 = 1 Cap Breaker

Crew Level 22 = 1 Cap Breaker

Crew Level 30 = 1 Cap Breaker

Total = 4 Cap Breakers

REP Rewards

Rookie V = 1 Cap Breaker

Starter III = 1 Cap Breaker

Starter V = 3 Cap Breakers

Veteran II = 3 Cap Breakers

Legend I = 3 Cap Breakers

Total = 11 Cap Breakers

Lifetime Challenges

100 Completions = 1 Cap Breaker

200 Completions = 1 Cap Breaker

Total = 2 Cap Breakers

Miscellaneous

Specialization Rewards = 2 Cap Breakers

Level 40 Season Rewards = 9 Cap Breakers

Total = 11 Cap Breakers

Reap the benefits of being in a crew as soon as possible for maximum efficiency. The early REP rewards and Lifetime Challenges will probably be the first Cap Breakers you acquire. The latter half of REP rewards are likely the hardest to achieve for casual players, and total Cap Breakers from that category will max out at 5 for most.

The Level 40 Season reward tally is unconfirmed and is simply based on the fact that the current season awards you a single Cap Breaker, with another eight seasons expected.

Those are all the ways to unlock Cap Breakers in NBA 2K26.

Beyond a plethora of rewarding skill-based updates, Visual Concepts has expanded AI intelligence on both sides of the court by reworking offensive and defensive systems, putting more control in players’ hands than ever before. Rounding out 2K26’s overhauls is enhanced presentation featuring sharper visuals, bespoke arena design, and livelier crowds. From MyPLAYER innovations to the historic NBA-WNBA crossover, here are the 15 biggest differences between NBA 2K26 and NBA 2K25.

ProPLAY Motion Engine

NBA 2K25 introduced dynamic motion via its enhanced Dribble Engine, marking the biggest shake-up to on-court play since NBA 2K21. For NBA 2K26 the evolution continues via an upgraded ProPLAY Motion Engine. We’ve already touched upon its impact in our ‘15 Things to Know’ feature, but delving deeper reveals more responsive Momentum Crossovers, faster game speed with attribute-based athlete speed boosts, and smoother chaining that allows players to execute spectacular dribble sequences by linking multiple moves together.

Custom Layups

In past NBA titles, layup styles were limited by single signature layup packages. NBA 2K26 changes this with customisable layup styles that are inspired by real-life manoeuvres from across the league. Players can now mix and match moves such as normal and reverse layups, quick scopes, floaters, hop steps, euro steps, and spins. Custom layups are configurable in MyPLAYER settings or through player roster editing.

Defensive game reworks

NBA 2K26’s defensive game has been overhauled to look and feel more physical than in last year’s entry. Systems-driven tech has replaced 2K25’s older motion-captures, providing more reliable feedback during athlete collisions. Interior Defence has been redesigned too, making mid-air body bumps more natural when contesting the ball at the rim. Rebounding introduces a timing mechanic via a green meter that flashes during well-timed attempts. If combined with rebounding attributes, successful jumps are rewarded with board dominance.

New Quick Protect 

One of 2K26’s most exciting innovations is Quick Protect, a new feature which enables ball handlers to instantly shield the ball from steal attempts before launching counters. Furthermore, when driving to the rim, attackers can pin defenders against their hip with Quick Protect, forcing their opposition into compromising positions.

Revamped ball controls

2K26’s upgraded ProPLAY Motion systems bring an array of new ball handling options, including No-Dip Catch and Shoots which allow for seamless transitions between catching and shooting in one fluid motion. Signature Size-Ups have become more intuitive, with players able to combine two different Size-Up animations to create separation. Wrap Passes and Slow Motion Euro Steps each have their own dedicated inputs, while Alley-Oops have been made more skill-based with higher difficulties randomising face button inputs for the receiver.

Offensive AI enhancements

NBA 2K25’s artificial intelligence was criticised for being unrealistic, with non-player controlled athletes behaving too unlike their real-life counterparts. For NBA 2K26, Visual Concepts has reworked its system to make AI more dynamic in both offensive and defensive situations. Non-player teammates now seek out scoring potential through Drive-and-Kick opportunities whilst an expanded playbook with over 80 plays adds animation depth. A new AI Shot Timing Ability also lets players adjust how accurate AI-controlled athletes are at timing their layups and jumpshots, making outcomes feel more consistent and less frustrating.

Defensive AI enhancements

Defensive AI has been smartened up too. Help Defense Intelligence allows off-ball defenders to dynamically adjust pressure based on the proximity of the ball to the basket, adjusting their positions when attackers drive to collapse towards the paint before recovering to contest shooters. Help Defense Intelligence is fine-tuned to work in tandem with offensive Drive-and-Kick intelligence, whilst elsewhere Double Team defensive logic has been improved to allow for smarter tracking of moving targets and better rotations.

Improved AI difficulty

Beyond the AI variables introduced in NBA 2K25, 2K26 introduces ten additional difficulty variables to better separate higher and lower challenge levels. These new variables cover a heightened awareness of defensive rotations, reaction times in passing lanes, and overall in how quickly defenders recognise impending threats.

Player fidelity evolution

Visual Concepts is following a growing trend across annual sports titles by renewing focus on NBA 2K26’s presentation to push realism as far as possible. Player fidelity is one-such upgrade, magnifying the game’s physical toll on athletes more vividly – sweat beads more noticeably, cracks appear on dehydrated lips, and fatigued muscles are more clearly defined, bringing fans closer to the action than ever before.

Improved arena visuals

Arena presentation has also seen an overhaul when compared to 2K25, with intensified arena lighting, reworked colour correction, and new skin shaders making players shine under the lights. Court floors are also treated to new shaders, with them now featuring distinct woodgrain colour presented in newfound sheen. In NBA 2K26, arena designs closely match their real-life counterparts, with pre-game rituals adding new layers of authenticity before the opening tip-off.

Improved arena atmosphere

In-game atmosphere has also received a remodel, with crowd variety and their interactions being a big focus of this year’s development. A wider range of unique character models, body types, and clothing now occupies the stands, with fans sporting jerseys adorning the names of current and legendary basketball players whilst they wave rally towels and foam fingers. During play breaks, mascots, and entertainers take to the court ensuring there’s never a dull moment even during downtime.

MyPLAYER builder innovations

NBA 2K26’s MyPLAYER builder has been fleshed out with all-new animations, new player archetypes, and templates, the latter letting new or seasoned players borrow builds instead of  creating their athlete from scratch. NBA 2K26’s MyPLAYER builder also features an updated animation glossary which showcases every animation with details, attributes, and height requirements, enabling players to make more informed decisions on the output of their athlete.

Cap Breakers have more impact

In NBA 2K25, Cap Breakers raised an athlete’s attributes by +1, with the knock-on effect of players focusing solely on boosting their strongest attributes whilst ignoring their weaknesses. NBA 2K26 changes this, with Cap Breakers now providing more significant boosts to the weakest attributes, promoting more balanced and versatile builds.

NBA-WNBA crossover

For the first time in franchise history, NBA 2K is bringing players from the NBA and WNBA together in MyTEAM. In NBA 2K26, players can create unique mixed lineups and pairings with WNBA players being fully integrated in MyTEAM’s features and game modes. All-new Game Changer Cards provide further depth, giving players the power to tailor their MyTEAM experience via consumables that govern points multipliers, win streak recovering, extra prizes, auto-winning breakout games, and more.

Expansions to The W

The W returns with renewed attention, bringing it in-line with the rest of 2K26’s experience. For instance, refreshed social media mechanics introduces real-life journalists and pundits across in-game feeds, with press conferences across The W stuffed with new content, animations, and voice recordings. Rivalries intensify on-court via GOAT Challenges too, the result being the most complete and authentic WNBA experience in NBA 2K games to date.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Remember when this was just supposed to be a second playable character and DLC for Hollow Knight? Over six years since its announcement, Silksong is indeed real, and based on Team Cherry’s own admission, it’s as big, perhaps even bigger than its predecessor. Because you weren’t planning on anything for the rest of the month? Over 200 enemy types, more than 40 bosses, numerous new abilities – and based on demo impressions from Gamescom, best-in-class movement. Hollow Knight: Silksong releases on September 4th for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, and at this point, we’re beyond ready.

Hell is Us

If you’re in the mood for a different kind of action-adventure, one that very adamantly won’t hold your hand, there’s Rogue Factor’s Hell is Us. A dark horse of sorts, it’s semi-open-world-ish, focusing on peacekeeper Rémi, who explores Hadea in search of his parents. The country has seen better days – it’s devastated by war and Hollow Walkers emerging in the wake of the Calamity. With just the bare minimum, you have to gather clues and ultimately unravel the mystery behind Rémi’s parents while uncovering the mysteries of Hadea. With Souls-lite gameplay and a mysterious yet foreboding vibe, Hell is Us could very well make a name for itself when it launches on September 4th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Cronos: The New Dawn

For a different flavor of horror – the sci-fi survival third-person shooter kind – there’s Bloober Team’s Cronos: The New Dawn, where players control a Traveller under the mysterious Collective, tasked with extracting the essence of key individuals. Or not – you don’t really have to, though that could affect the ending. Between these choices, you’re exploring run-down buildings and structures infested with monsters born from the mysterious Change, using shotguns, SMGs and flamethrowers to bat them back, while casually manipulating gravity and the environment to progress forward. It’s very Dead Space-esque on first appearance, but the mysterious narrative and time travel elements help set Cronos apart when it launches on September 4th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

Daemon x Machina: Titanic Scion

I’m not the biggest Daemon X Machina fan out there, but credit to Marvelous Inc. for doing something different with the sequel. You’re still in this world of Arsenals and Outer factions, destroying similarly armored foes and extracting their parts for your own usage, but Titanic Scion veers hard by turning Arsenals into power armor. The vast open world also facilitates new traversal methods, such as horseback riding, which is as hilarious as it looks, and even a larger Arsenal frame for dealing big damage in a limited window. Launching on September 5th for Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, and PS5, Daemon X Machina: Titanic Scion could very well be the standout mecha title of the year.

Borderlands 4

It’s funny to think we’ve gone from…whatever Borderlands 3 was meant to be to this epic tale of resistance against a dictatorial figure on an unknown planet that Gearbox promises is its biggest yet. And yet, from everything showcased thus far and against all odds, Borderlands 4 doesn’t look half-bad. The four new Vault Hunters – Vex, Rafa, Amon and Harlowe – all look great in their own ways; the prospect of Licensed Parts for combining different gun manufacturer pieces into one weapon is great; and the addition of grappling, dashing, double-jumping, and more feels just right. Whether the story will stick the landing remains to be seen (I still haven’t forgiven you for Maya, Gearbox), to say nothing of the endgame, but as a co-op looter shooter with slightly classier mayhem, Borderlands 4 could excel. It’s launching on September 12th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Silent Hill f

As the newest mainline title in the Silent Hill franchise since 2012’s Downpour, Silent Hill f ventures into unknown territory. It’s the first title set in Japan, specifically the fictitious town of Ebisugaoka in the 1960s, and features Ryukishi07 as the writer (with artist kera behind the creature designs). As Hinako Shimizu, who finds herself swallowed up by the fog, players embark on a more action-packed journey, one with a heavier emphasis on melee combat. Don’t let that fool you, though, as it offers some of the most disturbing creatures and sights in the franchise yet. After the success of Silent Hill 2 remake, here’s hoping Konami can pull off another when Silent Hill f launches on September 25th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

NBA 2K26

Another year, another NBA 2K and even if last year’s iteration sported solid gameplay, one has to wonder if NBA 2K6 is worth the upgrade. Outside of the improved player and arena visuals, you can embark on The Playoffs online; a new MyCareer mode sees you working up the ranks to the NBA, with The City returning; and all the usual modes, including MyTeam and The W, return with various improvements. Maybe it’ll be enough to hold one over till next year, but for now, NBA 2K26 launches on September 5th for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.

Dying Light: The Beast

Techland has been on a venerable marketing overdrive for Dying Light: The Beast, promising its “most diverse world,” a fairly lengthy experience (about 40 to 50 hours for the story and side content), and much more. And based on the gameplay thus far, it seems like a return to everything that made the Dying Light franchise great while continuing the story of Kyle Crane, who now possesses powerful beast-like abilities. Whether it can redeem the series after the whelming second entry or not, the call of the night is hard to resist. Dying Light: The Beast arrives on September 19th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

EA Sports FC 26

With how underwhelming FC 25 turned out, EA is listening in a big way with the latest entry. Various gameplay improvements include faster overall gameplay and two experiences – Competitive and Authentic, each determining the style of play and pace. Archetypes are also debuting and will be added to Clubs to shake things up. There’s honestly a lot more, and it could be the most exciting sports offering from EA in years when it launches on September 26th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 1 and 2, PC, PS4, and PS5.

Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition

If you thought the title was a mouthful already, this is actually Part 1 of Survios’ VR title-turned-regular-first-person shooter. It follows Colonial Marine Zula Hendricks as she investigates a Weyland-Yutani black site. Which, to no one’s surprise, is full of Xenomorphs. While it may seem like a running and gunning affair, Rogue Incursion also features classic tools like the Motion Tracker, creating a familiar wave of dread when a Xenomorph periodically shows up. Launching on September 30th for PS5 and PC, Alien: Rogue Incursion Evolved Edition will support 60 FPS and DualSense functionality.

EA Sports NHL 26

Not one, not two, but three sports games in September? What a deal! NHL 26 launches on September 12th for Xbox Series X/S and PS5, packing several changes, including reworked X-Factors (now with three tiers), goalie size and style now affecting how they play, a new Goalie Crease Control System with over 80 new animations, and more. EA Vancouver has its work cut out after last year’s release, but thus far, it’s looking decent.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The Order of Giants

Everyone’s favorite archaeologist returns in a new story DLC, building on the stellar base experience by returning to Rome, as players venture deeper underground to learn more about the Cult of Mithras and the legendary giants. Based on the latest trailer, it seems the undead are also involved. In terms of puzzle-platforming goodness, The Order of Giants should be another compelling adventure for Indy when it launches on September 4th for PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S.

Metal Eden

Metal Eden launches on September 2nd for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, and sees ASKA, a Hyper Unit, venturing into Moebius to save humanity’s rapidly decaying cores. All the usual weaponry, from a pistol, shotgun, SMG and whatnot, awaits. However, Aska’s main calling card is ripping out enemy Cores and either consuming them for a boost (and rocket punch) or tossing them back to deal explosive damage. Paired with a Brutalist aesthetic, extensive mobility and an intriguing narrative, we’re keen to see how deep the cyber-punk rabbit hole goes.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

Everyone has their dream remake, and for a subsection of role-playing game fans, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is pretty much it. A ground-up remake of the 2004 classic, it offers fully 3D environments and characters alongside Daybreak’s dual turn-based/real-time combat system. And while there are new voicovers and localization, the tale of Estelle and Joshua, who venture across Liberl, changing lives along the way, remains as timeless as ever. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter launches on September 19th for Nintendo Switch, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, with a free demo currently available.

Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac

This may or may not fall under “dream remake” – really, it depends on how much you love Pac-Man – but Pac-Man World Re-Pac wasn’t half-bad. Re-Pac 2, launching on September 26th for every platform, follows in the same vein, remaking Pac-Man World 2 with gorgeous new visuals. However, its latest comparison trailer highlights noticeable differences in levels (which have also been expanded) and Bandai Namco promises quality-of-life improvements, updated bosses, and even a two-player mode.

The City is getting a host of improvements in NBA 2K26 over its predecessor. The PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions, for instance, will be a lot more smooth when compared to NBA 2K25. This means that moving around the City will feel more fluid, with the title running at a stable framerate of 60 FPS. There are also visual improvements to The city, especially when it comes to lighting.

The NBA 2K26 iteration of the City will feature an open-air plaza, the Gatorade Training Facility, Event Center, Arena, and other points of interest all being within walking distance. Further away at the perimeter of the city will be The Theater, REC, Proving Grounds, and other locations.

NBA 2K26 will also see the return of the Park, which first made their debut in NBA 2K14. This new iteration of the Park will once more offer a more natural and grounded feel, along with more reality-based visual aesthetics. The Park can be accessed in the upcoming basketball title by entering the giant basketball in the middle of the City. Parks will also serve as the home for seasonal activities. Along with this, there also be a host of social features in the Park, including celebrating MVP players, and the ability to take on players on winning streaks to earn higher VC rewards.

Every six weeks, a new Park environment will be introduced to the game. Along with brand new designs, players will also get to experience remastered versions of older iteration of Parks, including four coming back from NBA 2K16 MyPARKs. When the game comes out, the first season’s Park will be set in an urban area, tapping into the atmosphere of playing local pick-up basketball games in neighbourhood courts. Players will also be able to form custom Crews, complete with custom logos and branded Crew clothing.

A host of seasonal content is planned for the City in NBA 2K26, including the Pro-Am Summit, which will happen every three weeks, allowing players to compete in high stakes 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 tournaments. Streetball is also getting an upgrade with the new Street Kings mode, which a new location and new features.

As for other locations in the City, MyCourt is where players can go to start working on their custom character’s skills, with a host of drill options to practice different aspects of basketball, from free-throws to dunk timing. MyCourt also has new customisation options allowing players to further personalise their own version of the location. Players can also take a break from basketball to drive around new Pocket Bikes and Drift Trikes around the Track, where they can race for VC rewards on a weekly basis.

Along with all of this, NBA 2K26 will also feature a new story for myCareer, dubbed Out of Bounds. The career mode will start out with the player in the shoes of an unknown prospect from a small town in Vermont, and play out the story of his career all the way into the NBA. Among other things, players will get to participate in the NBA Draft, as well as Playoff matches when the NBA season starts.

NBA 2K26 is coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and the Switch 2 on September 5. For more details, check out the previous Courtside Report. If you want to know more, here’s everything you should know.

Building on the best of what came before it, the new title in the franchise’s illustrious lineup is aiming to present an experience that ups the realism while also refining its core gameplay loop in ways that make its players feel like pros while they take on the best of the best.

These new improvements touch many crucial aspects of the experience, making NBA 2K26 a game that fans of basketball simulators will want to watch out for. With that in mind, here are a few things you need to know before you head on over to your platform’s storefront to grab yourself a copy.

1. Expanded MyPlayer Customization

Putting your stamp on the NBA is now going to be quite intuitive with a new MyPlayer Builder tool that lets you truly customize your player to your liking. There is a suite of tools to ensure that your custom players are able to be a formidable presence on the court, with options that allow for varying heights to be balanced against other key areas.

Build diversity is encouraged in NBA 2K26, and there are sure to be custom players that can take the fight to the opposition with style and substance once the game is out.

2. Triple Threat Park Returns

Triple Threat Park is making its way back to the new game better than before, with multiple new modes to dive into. Play either against or with your friend in 3v3 games while also bringing in some NBA heavyweights to the format.

A new location is set to bring a refreshing change of pace from the main campaign, and is sure to bring a lot of new additions to the popular mode, allowing you to earn rewards and complete challenges with your custom MyPlayer.

3. A New and Improved King of the Court

Looking to earn some extra cash and VCs while you throw down against the best of the best? A revamped King of the Court mode is making its way to NBA 2K26, and is primed to be all the more accessible to players looking to participate.

For starters, it is now playable over the entire weekend instead of the limited four-hour window from previous games. Visual Concept has promised further details on the changes it is bringing to King of the Court, a little closer to the release of its upcoming title.

Incidentally, it has also promised more information on MyTeam, MyPlayer, the W, MyCareer, and MyNBA within the same time frame. Have no fear, we’ll be sure to bring you all of the juicy details as soon as they are made public!

4. A New Story

Speaking of MyCareer, your choices are going to carry a lot of weight in NBA 2K26’s main career mode. Out of Bounds brings a realistic take on what earning an NBA draft would feel like in the real world, requiring that you take on and complete specific objectives during story games.

Your draft stock either rises or falls based on your success, with consequences for failure that you may want to watch out for as you take on skilled opponents looking to gain an edge over you and letting their skills do the talking.

5. MyNBA Brings Some New Tricks

Doing well in MyNBA is getting a similar overhaul, with your performance directly tied to the quality of teams you get drafted for. While details are scarce at the time of writing this, Visual Concept has outlined a new system in which you could either let the dice roll on where you end up, or actively take part in the process by hosting a private workout with your desired teams to see if you can make things work.

It’s all in the spirit of giving you more control over your journey. allowing you to chart a course to your dream team while you keep improving your skills.

6. MyGM Sandbox Mode

Aside from tearing up the court in MyPlayer, NBA 2K26 lets you step into the shoes of a general manager, building up your team to be a formidable presence in the NBA. You can import custom rosters in addition to drafting classes.

This unranked sandbox is a great way to blow off some steam and take a look behind the curtain, experiencing what it would entail to manage a team that’s growing from strength to strength under your guidance. Of course, there is more information on MyGM coming out in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned!

7. Dynamic Banners

In NBA 2K26, your victories come with you wherever you go. New Dynamic Banners that update with every title you earn now have dedicated spaces across all courts, allowing you to show off your triumphs at every game you play.

Let your opponents know that you are not to be taken lightly by showcasing your rise from being an unknown entity to becoming one of the NBA’s legends, all in one place!

8. The City and The Park Get Makeovers

Both the City and the Park are receiving visual and spatial improvements, making them easier to navigate while adding a few touches that are easy on the eyes. Getting to your next game is going to be a whole lot easier, with cleverly placed landmarks that make for seamless transitions from the streets to the court.

The Park will reflect the beauty of the outdoors, with Visual Concept taking advantage of current-gen hardware to bring an experience that reflects the real world while cleverly improving lighting via a fixed time of day to reduce glare from sunlight, among other intelligent improvements.

9. Early Access and Bonus Content

While NBA 2K26 is slated for release on September 5, 2025, preordering the game nets you early access from August 29, 2025. There are a couple of editions to choose from, with bonus content that you may want to pick up for yourself.

For instance, the WNBA edition nets you 10,000 VC that you can spend in-game along with a few of the franchise’s best players right off the bat. The Superstar Edition nets you an additional 100,000 VC along with early access and a few goodies for both MyCareer and MyTeam.

However, the Leave No Doubt Edition is the star of the show, bringing even more goodies such as a Puffer Jacket for MyCareer and a MyTeam Promo Pack that includes a couple of very useful Player Cards in addition to all of the other editions’ goodies. It’s certainly worth a look! If you’re coming to it from NBA 2K25, there’s a 10% discount on the table as well.

10. Your Skills Will Be Tested

Visual Concept is also bringing a few refinements on the gameplay front, with a new emphasis on skill-based progression. Green windows are now permanently enabled across all Shot and Dunk meters, requiring you to pay attention to your timing when shooting your shots.

Layup Timings are also permanently enabled, and you will need precision and reflexes to get things right in the heat of the moment!

11. Improved Offensive and Defensive Controls

However, getting it right every time is going to be much easier with improvements to movement animations and a lot of options at your disposal geared towards integrating your personal playstyle into your game.

Improvements to player-to-player contact alongside refinements in footwork and counters are primed to make NBA 2K26 the one to beat in the franchise’s long list of great titles! There’s more to come as the game gets closer to its final release.

12. Improved Takeover and Takeover Ability Systems

The 5-Level Takeover and Takeover Abilities are making their way back to the new game, coming with undisclosed improvements aimed at streamlining progression in order to provide a clear path to new abilities that let you own every court you play on, and be the MVP as often as you can manage.

13. Gameplay Improvements

The ProPlay System is all set to bring a more refined experience to the table in NBA 2K26. It’s going to build on what it has established in previous titles, utilizing real footage from NBA games to recreate signature moves from the franchise’s stars alongside cleaner animations set to deliver a faster, smoother, and more seamless gameplay loop.

Replicating the positioning of players’ feet using machine learning in real-time, Visual Concept is making the best use of its technology to make its upcoming simulator feel almost like the real thing on a multitude of fronts.

14. Improved Rhythm Shooting

NBA 2K26 is also set to improve on Rhythm Shooting from past titles, with your flicking motion now influencing how your player moves their body and the trajectory of your shot based on how you move your sticks.

You now have more options at your disposal, allowing you to respond more dynamically to your opponent’s defensive attempts as you time your release to directly bypass their efforts to prevent you from achieving your dreams on the court.

15. System Requirements

If you’re looking to dive into the action on PC, Visual Concept recommends Windows 10 64-bit, an Intel Core i3-9100/AMD Ryzen 3 1200 64-bit processor, 8GB of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 5GB/AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 4GB/Intel Arc A580 graphics card, DirectX Version 12, and 110GB of storage at a minimum.

The recommended setup includes Windows 11 64-bit, an Intel Core i5-10600/AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, 16GB of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 8GB/AMD Radeon RX 5700 8GB/Intel Arc A770 graphics card, and DirectX Version 12 alongside 110GB of storage.

Nintendo Switch 2 owners might be happy to know that the game is also available on the new console, if shooting hoops on the go is your thing.