NBA 2K16 can seem like too much to handle

2K announced the launch of the mobile version of its recently-released NBA 2K16 console game on Thursday, and it is now available to download in the app stores. While we've been waiting for the return of the NBA season, we've already had a chance to get in on some of the action early by playing 2K Sports' My NBA2K16, a card-collecting game where you get to build a team of competitive players to win matches and earn rewards, including VR (virtual currency) for NBA 2K16. Even though MyNBA2K16 features many console connections (like entering in your Locker Codes), NBA 2K16 allows gamers to get the console experience while on-the-go.

Far and away the biggest change from NBA 2K15 is the revamped MyCareer mode. Last year you were an undrafted prospect that had to work your way onto an NBA team. It was fun (and it made sense since your created player mostly started out pretty terrible) but there wasn't that much to it. There was more than other games, sure, but telling your coach you want the ball more didn't do much other than lower your rating with your teammate (which didn't do much, either). This year, MyCareer took a different tack; instead of roleplaying as a player, you create your player and then are inserted into a storyline created by Mars Blackmon himself, Spike Lee. The basketball-aficionado-turned-filmmaker has a long history of creating stories about basketball, chief among them He Got Game.

And it doesn't just look the part; it's all backed up with loads of game modes and plenty to do too. There's 2K Pro-AM, MyPark, the popular MyTeam card trading game and MyGM - which drops you in the shoes of a General Manager to oversee the day-to-day running of a franchise. The new Play Now Online mode is well worth dedicating some time to as well - letting you take on like-minded souls online as you attempt to work your way up the rankings. Importantly, the servers seem to have been shored up this time round too and perform much better than last year. We had no problems finding players online and games always ran smoothly and lag free. The biggest missing piece last year was season mode, and NBA 2K16 launches with the full 82 game season for all 30 teams for the 2015-16 season.

The best part is that there are settings made for iOS allowing you to see the simulation quarter length for 12 minutes, and play game quarter length as low as 4 minutes if you want. You can customize the length of the season, but the best feature is the ability to save in-game progress so that you could quit with 3 minutes to go in the third quarter if something comes up, as often the case when playing on iOS. The progress saving is also included in the MyCareer mode, which was the best version from last year and continues the quality in 2K16. The season mode emphasizes five on five gameplay with a side perspective and nice flow, while MyCareer mode offers a third person behind the back perspective focusing on your player.

If the face-scanning portion of this puzzle is straightened out, 2K Pro-Am in NBA 2K could become the first sports video game to make a huge impact in the booming ESports industry. In addition to all of these goodies, 2K also boasts a solid player and roster creation tool again this year. I create a legends roster every year, and there were a few cosmetic requests the creation community had for developers. We wanted to be able to make guys taller than 7'2" and add a headband, more hairstyles, tattoos and goggles. I guess two out of five isn't bad. You can now add headbands and a huge number of hairstyles, but the other three options might have to wait another year.

Fans of the NBA that have been playing the 2K series for a long time will no doubt find this to be one of the most well-rounded basketball games of all-time. While NBA 2K16 can seem like too much to handle, it's worth the effort. If you take the time to “up” your “stick skills” and know the ins and outs of moving the ball around the court, taking your shots, and juking opponents, it's one of the most satisfyingly realistic sports simulations ever created.