Is NBA 2K17 Still Worth Playing on PS4? Our Comprehensive Review

As I boot up my PS4 and hear the familiar whirring of the console, I can't help but wonder whether NBA 2K17 still holds up nearly eight years after its initial release. Having spent countless hours with this title since its 2016 launch, I've developed a unique perspective on its staying power in today's gaming landscape. The question isn't just about whether the game still functions technically, but whether it delivers an experience compelling enough to pull players away from newer iterations and competing titles.

When we talk about longevity in sports games, we're essentially discussing two key elements: gameplay depth and content richness. NBA 2K17 absolutely nailed both aspects in ways that still impress me today. The gameplay mechanics, particularly the shooting system and defensive AI, remain remarkably sophisticated compared to many recent basketball titles. I've noticed that the player movement has a certain weight and realism that even some newer games struggle to match. The signature styles for star players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry feel authentic, with Curry's lightning-quick release and LeBron's powerful drives to the basket remaining perfectly captured. What really stands out to me is how the game balances accessibility with depth - newcomers can pick it up relatively easily while hardcore basketball fans can dive into advanced techniques like post moves and defensive positioning.

The MyCareer mode in NBA 2K17 represents what I consider the peak of storytelling in the series. Unlike recent entries that sometimes feel overly cinematic, this version strikes the perfect balance between narrative engagement and basketball authenticity. Playing through the journey of "Presh," your custom player, from undrafted rookie to NBA star remains genuinely compelling. The cutscenes featuring celebrities like Michael B. Jordan and Spike Lee don't feel forced, instead adding to the immersion. I've probably sunk over 200 hours into this mode alone, and what keeps me coming back is how well it integrates your progression with actual basketball development. The connection between your performance in games and your character's growth feels meaningful in a way that later entries sometimes miss.

Now, you might wonder how a boxing reference relates to our discussion about NBA 2K17. Well, it's interesting to consider how different sports simulations handle career progression and momentum. When I think about that three-fight win streak at super-bantamweight following the ninth round stoppage against Takuma Inoue for the World Boxing Association bantamweight crown, it reminds me of how NBA 2K17 handles player development and career momentum. The game perfectly captures that feeling of building momentum through consecutive strong performances, much like a boxer stringing together victories after a tough loss. Your virtual basketball career follows similar patterns of setbacks and triumphs, creating narratives that feel personally meaningful.

From a technical standpoint, NBA 2K17 still runs surprisingly well on PS4. Load times are reasonable, though noticeably longer than what PS5 owners have become accustomed to with newer titles. The game maintains a solid 30 frames per second during gameplay, with only occasional dips during particularly intense moments or complex arena scenes. The visual presentation holds up remarkably well too - while it doesn't have the ray tracing or advanced lighting of recent entries, the character models and court details remain impressive. I'd estimate the player base has dwindled to maybe 5,000 active users worldwide, but that's still enough to find matches during peak hours, especially if you're willing to be patient.

Where the game really shows its age is in the roster department. Unless you're willing to manually update rosters (which some dedicated communities still do), you're stuck with the 2016-2017 NBA lineup. This means playing with teams that have undergone significant changes - no Ja Morant on the Grizzlies, no Zion Williamson on the Pelicans. For me, this isn't necessarily a dealbreaker. There's a certain nostalgia in playing with classic teams and retired stars who were in their prime during that season. The presence of legends like Kobe Bryant in his final game version adds emotional weight that newer games can't replicate.

The MyTeam mode, while still functional, has understandably seen reduced support from 2K Sports. The auction house remains active with a small but dedicated community, though card prices have become somewhat inflated due to scarcity. If you're starting fresh today, building a competitive team will require either significant time investment or, frankly, more money than it's worth given the game's age. I'd recommend focusing on other modes unless you're particularly drawn to card-collecting aspects.

What continues to impress me about NBA 2K17 is how complete the package feels compared to some recent entries that have faced criticism for aggressive monetization. The game launched with robust features that didn't feel designed primarily to extract additional purchases. The VC (Virtual Currency) system exists but feels less intrusive than in later titles. You can realistically grind your way to a respectable player level without opening your wallet, which is more than I can say for some contemporary sports games.

The soundtrack deserves special mention too - with 50 tracks featuring artists like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Future, it perfectly captures the 2016 hip-hop landscape and creates an atmosphere that still feels fresh today. I often find myself humming along to tracks that have since become classics, something that enhances rather than distracts from the basketball experience.

After hundreds of hours across multiple save files and seasons, I can confidently say NBA 2K17 remains worth playing in 2024, particularly if you can find it for $15 or less, which is about what it typically goes for in used game stores. It serves as both a time capsule of mid-2010s basketball and a testament to how well-designed sports games can age gracefully. The gameplay fundamentals are strong enough to overcome the dated rosters and reduced online population. For basketball purists who value gameplay depth over having the latest uniforms and player models, this might even be the best entry in the entire 2K series. It represents that sweet spot where the developers had refined their formula without yet leaning too heavily on the monetization strategies that would later draw criticism. So yes, dust off that PS4 copy - you might be surprised at how much basketball magic remains in this eight-year-old title.