NBA 2K is celebrating an impressive 20 years of basketball simulation with NBA 2K19, a milestone that shows 2K Sports has a LOT of experience under its belt when it comes to shooting hoops. As well as refining and honing the series' on-court experience, developer Visual Concepts is continuing its journey into the wider culture of basketball with the story-based career mode and the open-world Neighbourhood mode, which will let you take a stroll around and take on various chellenges that give you a chance to upgrade your character. On the court, a deep bench of licensed players are present and accounted for, as well as legendary players from the sport's storied past in all-time line-ups. Basketball fans will no doubt find having Michael Jordan race for loose balls against Kobe Bryant deeply satisfying. On the technical front, a lot of work has gone into defence for 2K19. Players known as lockdown defenders are more potent this time out and have a bigger impact on the game than they did in 2K18. It's also worth keeping an eye out for the new Takeover mechanic (made visible thanks to a player's icon catching fire), which sees players get temporarily enhanced skills when they're on a hot streak. And, of course, there's a new story for your career. We don't want to spoil anything, so let's just say that when your career starts off in the Chinese Basketball Association you're going to need your translator.