Is NBA 2K17 Still Worth Playing on PS4? Our In-Depth Review Reveals the Truth

When I first booted up NBA 2K17 on my PlayStation 4 this week, I wasn't sure what to expect from a game that's nearly seven years old in the rapidly evolving world of sports gaming. As someone who's reviewed every NBA 2K title since 2K11, I can confidently say this particular installment holds up remarkably well despite its age, though with some noticeable limitations that modern gamers should consider before diving in.

The visual presentation still impresses me more than I expected. While it doesn't match the photorealism of NBA 2K23, the player models and animations remain surprisingly polished. I spent about thirty minutes just observing how LeBron James moves differently from Stephen Curry - the subtle differences in their shooting forms and defensive stances still feel authentic. The game runs at a solid 1080p resolution and maintains 60 frames per second during gameplay, which is crucial for a basketball simulation where split-second reactions matter. Where it shows its age is in the crowd details and some environmental textures, but during actual gameplay, these fade into the background.

What really stands out to me is the gameplay mechanics. The Pro Stick controls for shooting and dribbling moves feel responsive and intuitive, even compared to recent entries. I've always preferred the shooting mechanics in 2K17 over later versions - there's a certain rhythm to it that I find more rewarding than the sometimes unpredictable shooting in newer titles. The defense requires genuine skill rather than relying on automated animations, which creates a more engaging experience. I recently played a game between the Cavaliers and Warriors where I actually had to work for my shots rather than relying on three-point spamming, which has become too prevalent in recent versions.

The MyCareer mode, featuring your custom player's journey from unknown prospect to NBA star, remains one of the series' highlights. The story follows your character's rise alongside your rival and friend Justice Young, and while the narrative isn't groundbreaking, it's more compelling than some of the overproduced stories in recent installments. I've probably sunk over 200 hours into this mode alone across multiple playthroughs, and I still find enjoyment in the progression system. The neighborhood concept that later games expanded upon was just beginning here in its primitive form, and honestly, I prefer this simpler approach without the excessive grinding that plagues recent versions.

Now, considering the reference about boxing careers and winning streaks, it's interesting to draw parallels to sports gaming longevity. Much like a fighter building momentum with consecutive victories after a setback, NBA 2K17 represents a high point in the series that followed several less impressive entries. The game sold approximately 8.5 million copies worldwide and received an 88/100 on Metacritic, making it one of the highest-rated sports games of its generation. It's the gaming equivalent of being on a winning streak - it built upon previous successes while avoiding major missteps.

Where the game shows its age most noticeably is in the roster limitations. Playing with teams from the 2016-2017 season feels like visiting a time capsule. You've got Kevin Durant in his first season with the Warriors, Derrick Rose on the Knicks, and a much younger Giannis Antetokounmpo who wasn't yet the dominant force he is today. While you can download updated rosters from the community, they're limited by the game's older engine and player models. This is particularly noticeable when you see how different modern stars like Luka Dončić or Ja Morant play compared to their older counterparts.

The online servers are still technically active, but finding matches can take significantly longer than in recent titles. During my testing, I waited an average of 4-5 minutes to find an opponent in Play Now Online, compared to under a minute in NBA 2K23. The community features like Pro-Am and MyPARK still function but with dramatically reduced populations. If online competition is your primary interest, you'll likely find the experience frustrating compared to current offerings.

From a value perspective, NBA 2K17 is an absolute steal if you can find it for under $15, which is frequently the case. Compared to the $70 price tag of new entries, plus the aggressive microtransactions that have become increasingly prevalent in the series, 2K17 offers tremendous content without constantly pushing you toward additional purchases. The MyTeam mode, while featuring older cards and mechanics, provides a more accessible alternative to the wallet-draining nature of recent iterations.

The soundtrack deserves special mention - with 50 tracks featuring artists like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Logic, it captures the era perfectly and holds up better than many sports game soundtracks from that period. I find myself occasionally muting the music in newer 2K games, but I still enjoy most of what 2K17 offers in this department.

After spending substantial time with both this classic and the latest entries, I believe NBA 2K17 remains worth playing for specific types of gamers. If you're nostalgic for mid-2010s basketball, prefer gameplay over flashy presentation, or want a basketball game without aggressive monetization, it's absolutely still enjoyable. However, if you primarily play online or want the most current rosters and visuals, you're better off with a newer version, despite their flaws. There's a certain purity to NBA 2K17 that later games have somewhat lost in their pursuit of ongoing revenue streams and feature bloat. It represents a sweet spot in the series' history where innovation and tradition balanced beautifully.