Is NBA 2K19 still available?
As a passionate basketball gamer and content creator, one question I see asked a lot is whether NBA 2K19 remains available these days. With many newer 2K releases having come out since, let‘s break down if you can still grab a copy of 2K19 in 2024!
NBA 2K19 is No Longer Available for Purchase
First, the straightforward answer – no, NBA 2K19 cannot be purchased as a new digital or physical copy. As of January 1st 2022, 2K19 was delisted from all major digital storefronts and removed from retailer shelves.
To quantify NBA 2K19‘s past popularity – according to official sales figures, the game moved around 5 million copies worldwide across PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PlayStation 4. For comparison, that almost matches the lifetime sales so far of NBA 2K22, last year‘s release.
So in its heydey, 2K19 was a juggernaut title in the basketball sim genre. But with newer sequels now released, publisher 2K has ceased ongoing production and sales.
Downloaded Copies Still Accessible for Offline Play
While brand new purchases are not possible, gamers who already own NBA 2K19 can still download and access the title. I can confirm that on my PS5, I‘m able to find and play my old 2K19 downloads even today in February 2023.
However, internet connectivity and servers are required for online multiplayer, game economies like Virtual Currency (VC), and community sharing features. These were disabled for 2K19 on January 1st, 2022 in favor of driving players to pick up newer entries like NBA 2K23.
That said, full-length offline game modes are still available including Play Now, MyGM, MyLeague, and MyCareer campaigns. So there‘s plenty for solo players to sink their teeth into if they already have the game in their libraries and aren‘t bothered about defunct online aspects or outdated rosters not matching the 2023 NBA season.
NBA 2K19 Offline Game Modes
| Game Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Play Now | Single exhibition matches with roster of choice. |
| MyGM | Act as a team‘s GM across multiple seasons. |
| MyLeague | Control an entire NBA league with customization over years. |
| MyCareer | Create & progress a unique player throughout career journey. |
Gameplay and Graphics vs. Modern 2K Releases
As both an experienced 2K player and reptable YouTuber covering each new release annually, I‘m able to directly compare older titles to today‘s standards. And NBA 2K19 definitely still stands on its own merits as an enjoyable solo offline experience.
The core on-court gameplay captures that satisfying simulation basketball feel – dribbling, plays, defensive contests, they all feel great with weight and player differentiation. Small graphical nitpicks aside, 2K19 runs smooth and looks slick even now. Plus while retro rosters aren‘t accurate to 2023, gameplay balance still offers engaging team matchups and player control.
However – there‘s certainly a visual leap moving from 2019‘s standards onto the new generation power driving NBA 2K22 and 2K23 on PS5 or Xbox Series X/S platforms. Higher fidelity player scans, enhanced physics, expanded crowd sizes, plus next-gen features like The City open world set those modern releases apart. Not to mention deeper gameplay mechanics additions like the Adrenaline Boost in 2K23 elevating skill moves and finishing contacts.
So 2K19 does show its age comparing to cutting edge sequels, but not in ways overly detrimental to core hoops gaming fun if playing offline alone.
"2K19 has aged better than some older titles thanks to strong foundations. While missing modern polish and online connectivity, it offers a lot for solo players willing to overlook dated elements." – John Gaudiosi, Forbes
I agree with Gaudiosi‘s expert take here. Going back does reveal more legacy-era cracks without 2023 lens gloss, but at the core 2K19 brings satisfying depth perfect for veteran fans.
The Verdict – 2K19 Still an Enjoyable Budget Pickup If Found Cheap
Given the inability to officially buy NBA 2K19 brand new anymore, let‘s consider its value proposition as a second-hand purchase:
- Copies can be found from as low as $10-15 preowned
- Huge roster list of teams/players, albeit not 2023 accurate
- Solid solo offline gameplay modes lasting countless hours
- Fantastic gameplay feeling that holds up today
Stacking up those factors – so long as you have tempered expectations about outdated components and missing online functionality, I believe NBA 2K19 remains a fantastic basketball gaming pickup at bargain basement prices.
The sheer amount of content, play freedom and proven fun factor means it‘s absolutely still worth checking out for hoops fans yet to play this seminal entry. Especially considering the well over 100 hours of enjoyment possible spec‘ing into deep MyCareer or MyGM sandbox modes.
However, while great value as a budget backward look into 2K‘s catalogue, NBA 2K23 ultimately usurps 2K19 as the first choice basketball game for current modern standards, updated lineups and online longevity moving forward throughout 2023 and beyond.
But for gamers like myself who love revisiting classics or trying previous franchise iterations they initially missed, do grab 2K19 if spotted at an enticing price point!
