NBA 2K22 review: Should Dallas Mavericks fans get the game?

The Dallas Mavericks have two players on the cover of NBA 2K22 with Luka Doncic gracing the standard edition and Dirk Nowitzki taking center stage on the legends edition. It is the first time a Maverick has been on the cover of a major video game since Dirk was on the front of NBA Live 2009.

A lot of people each year complain that the game is basically a copy of the previous year's, so The Smoking Cuban reviewed NBA 2K22 to see if fans should get the game or pass on it.

Should Dallas Mavericks fans get NBA 2K22: Gameplay review

If fans were lucky enough to get a next-generation console when they came out last year, they will enjoy the game because of the enhanced graphics that make them feel like they are playing as the real-life Luka Doncic.

NBA 2K22's AI game strategy algorithm makes things difficult. When I was playing 2K22 and dropping threes with Luka, the computer started to double team him. If you increase the gameplay setting, the AI will get more difficult to defeat.

This year, NBA 2K added all 30 teams' public address announcers' voices into the game. It’s fantastic to hear Mavs PA announcer Sean Heath during the gameplay. It will make fans feel like they are at the American Airlines Center watching the Mavericks play.

Should Dallas Mavericks fans get NBA 2K22: MyCareer mode review

MyCareer mode has definitively changed the storyline from last year’s game. Players have three options to start their careers. They can go to college, head to the G League, or jump straight into the NBA draft.

I chose to go the G League route because I was curious to see if it would allow you to pick from any of the G League franchises. Unfortunately, you get sent the G League Ignite team by default.

I’m surprised that they decided to make the City the main hub for career mode this year considering all the negative feedback NBA 2K got from players last year. Perhaps, they couldn’t come up with another idea for the hub this year and decided to use the City again.

Fans can still go to the different stores and buy clothing for your player. They've added new clothing companies this season, so keep an eye out when they drop the new clothing.

Should Dallas Mavericks fans get NBA 2K22: MyTeam review

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to access this game mode due to some bug with the PS5 version, so I can't go into much detail on what's new with this game mode.

Should Dallas Mavericks fans get NBA 2K22?

NBA 2K22 is a very solid video game overall and past games have been. I believe that PS5 and Xbox Series X owners should 100 percent get the game based on the enhanced graphics and new My Player mode story alone.

If fans have a PS4 or Xbox One though, I would pass on the game this year. The PS4 version looks like they took last year’s game and copied it. Now, if fans love the game and have a PS4 or Xbox One, by all means, get it, but it looks like they didn’t even bother trying to enhance anything for the older consoles.

If fans want to get the game on the Nintendo Switch, I would wait until the game goes on sale at stores or on the Nintendo E-Shop. It was fantastic to see Luka Doncic and Dirk Nowitzki on the covers. Hopefully, Dallas Mavericks fans enjoy the game, and feel free to comment your thoughts on NBA 2K22 below.