Whether this is your first NBA 2K game, or just your first in a while, there is so much to explore in Nba 2k22 Mt . So, here are some tips to help you make the most of it.

Most of these tips apply to both generations of console, but many are focused on new-gen. That’s the Xbox Series S/X and PS5 only — sorry PC, last-gen console users.

NBA 2K22’s The W Is More Fun

While most non-quickplay modes are drenched in sponsorship and begging you to spend real-life cash,The W is a utopia, largely uninfected by micro transactions.While most non-quickplay modes are drenched in sponsorship and begging you to spend real-life cash, The W (new-gen only) is like the NBA 2K career mode of old. To get started in the player builder you don’t need to know exactly how you want to balance your stats, only what kind of skills you want to focus on and in which position you want to play. You can’t customise these players, they’re all just pre-built, You also don’t spend (or earn) VC here, you just get stat upgrades based on how well and how much you play. That makes The W the perfect place to start a career mode in NBA 2K22, because there’s no pressure to spend real cash, you don’t have to wander around a bloated city, you don’t have to know how you want to distribute individual stat points, and there’s much fewer barriers between creating a character and actually playing basketball (the activity supposedly at the centre of this game). If you do decide you want to play in the men’s side of the NBA afterwards, you’ll have a handle on the shot meter and a better idea of what kind of player you want to be before dropping that precious VC and committing to the grind.

True Colours

Whether you’re colour blind or are just having an unexpected amount of difficulty mastering the shot meter, try changing the shot meter colour. You can do this by going to Settings > Shot Meter Color and playing around to see what works for you. If you’re still having trouble after that, you might need to brush up on your rhythm skills, but eventually it’ll become muscle memory.

If you just have a terrible sense of rhythm, one thing I find that helps is to download a metronome app on your phone and practice tapping along, trying to stay on beat. This helps you better internalise rhythm, will make you a better dancer, and make you less annoying at concerts when everyone starts clapping along to a song, so there’s added bonuses as well.

NBA 2K22: Dribbling And Defending

The right stick is your friend. In the last few years the right stick has become the most important offensive tool for dribble moves and shooting. But you might not know that it’s also key for defence. When defending a dribbler, hold down the left trigger and keep the right stick pushed up. You’ll need to be close to your opponent to make it work, but you should really notice the difference.

How NBA 2K22’s Team Takeovers Work

Team Takeovers are important, and you can unlock them by playing well and having good team chemistry (doing good stuff increases your meter, doing bad stuff, like turnovers, reduces it). You’ll know when it’s maxed out, because it’s as subtle as a firework: The meter will be flaming and it’ll flash “Team Takeover” just in case you missed the flames. Simply press down on the right stick and watch your team catch fire (in the good way).

Slow And Steady Makes The Bucket

We’re all impatient to get to the next bucket and shake off defenders, but in 2K22 the secret to accurate shooting is slowing down. The stamina bar affects your shooting bar, so don’t sprint as much if you’re wanting to make difficult shots. There are branded, paid ways to increase your stamina — but it’s better to just play smart.

The Best MyPlayer Builds For NBA 2K22

Everyone wants to know the secret of how to build the best NBA 2K22 MyPlayer, because the stakes are kind of high. All players start out kinda sucky and levelling them up to 99OVR costs a couple of hundred thousand VC, which will either take a very long time to earn, or a lot of money to buy. If you build a player you don’t like, you have to start again from zero, so there’s a lot of pressure to get it right the first time.

While I wish I could tell you the secret numbers that will make the perfect player, it’s such a personal thing. I like playing fast three-point specialists who are great at rebounds but can’t dunk and mildly suck at defence. You might want an all-rounder, or a defensive playmaker, or a dunk specialist. You can’t get every stat to 100%, so you have to know what your strengths and weaknesses are, and which skills you’re willing to sacrifice.

If you’re not sure what position works best for you, it’s best to practice in The W if you’ve got a new-gen console. They don’t cost VC, you can’t tinker with individual stats, and you can choose from pre-fabricated architypes so you can see what you do and don’t like, and then build a player based on that. If you’re on a previous gen console, then just make sure you test your build as much as possible before committing any VC.

When you do build your men’s NBA player, try and go for as many badges as possible, because they’re hugely powerful. Push Square has an excellent, detailed guide for this.

Just remember that the best build is the one you like the most. Unless you’re wanting to take your NBA 2K22 skill