NBA 2K15 for iPhone

Overview: A modern take on the NBA franchise

NBA 2K returns as a next-generation basketball title with a host of new features, improved visuals, and expanded game modes. The developers have clearly invested heavily in the package, but the question remains: does it match or exceed the high bar set by previous entries in the series? The answer is largely positive, though not without notable flaws.

Take charge with franchise management

MyGM mode puts you in the front office and offers deep control over a team’s direction.

Key aspects of the experience:

• Dialog-driven interactions with players and ownership that affect morale, roles, and expectations.
• The ability to tweak organizational elements such as ticket pricing and training staff when you want more hands-on control.
• In-game monitoring with a play-by-play display, letting you intervene during matches at any time.

The mode balances broad strategic decisions with optional micromanagement. Player concerns—about practice intensity, playing time, or role—are handled through office conversations that influence team chemistry and results.

Gameplay: smarter control and clearer feedback

Core mechanics have been refined so controlling offense and defense feels more responsive and strategic.

Notable improvements include:

• A new “points of emphasis” system to shape team behavior (examples include feeding a star player on offense or prioritizing rebounding on defense).
• A shot meter that clarifies shot timing for every player, removing much of the guesswork involved with unusual shooting motions.
• Coach-driven adjustments that can either be followed automatically or set manually during timeouts for greater tactical control.

These changes reduce the frustration of learning individual shot animations and give you practical tools to steer the flow of a game without drowning in micromanagement.

Visuals and in-arena presentation

Graphical enhancements aren’t a dramatic leap over the prior next-gen release, but the level of polish remains impressive.

Upgrades that stand out:

• Player models with convincing details: visible sweat, goosebumps, and realistic tattoos that stand out on the court.
• Improved secondary characters — coaches, mascots, and cheer squads — so the overall presentation feels more cohesive.
• More lifelike expressions and on-court detail, even if player models still outshine some supporting cast.

The arena atmosphere and character rendering continue to be a major selling point for this installment.

Sound, commentary, and music

Audio presentation complements the visuals with high-quality commentary and a curated soundtrack.

Audio highlights:

• Strong play-by-play and color commentary from Kevin Harlan, Clark Kellogg, and Steve Kerr, plus halftime interviews and pregame segments.
• Pre-game segments featuring Ernie Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal with thousands of recorded lines that add authenticity.
• A soundtrack chosen by Pharrell Williams featuring a diverse set of tracks, including contributors such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, A Tribe Called Quest, and No Doubt.

You can toggle music playback in the settings and enjoy a varied soundtrack while playing.

Conclusion: flawed but compelling

The game does suffer from persistent online issues that are hard to ignore, but in nearly every other regard it builds meaningfully on its predecessors. The improvements to franchise control, in-game strategy tools, clearer shooting feedback, and presentation polish make it a strong entry. Overall, the strengths outweigh the shortcomings, making it worthwhile for fans and newcomers alike.