The NBA2K26 received a good response from the fans. One of the leading video game makers came out with a new edition of the 2K series in July. The fan favorite game had multiple new additions, including players and updated ratings. Now there is a new update for the fans. A customized mode where gamers can now mix male and female athletes in a game.
The rising popularity of the WNBA helped 2K producers to have such an update. With multiple female athletes at high ratings, they can join in their male counterparts even in career mode.
Fans React Negatively To NBA 2K26 Update
The idea behind integrating both genders in one game was to provide a more inclusive and diverse gameplay experience. They showcased different superstar pairings, including the Reebok duo Angel Reese and Shaquille O’Neal, Indiana stars Caitlin Clark with Tyrese Halliburton, Dallas’ rookie sensations Paige Bueckers and Cooper Flagg playing alongside each other.
A’ja Wilson and Bam Adebayo also played together for the Miami side, giving fans an idea about the different possible pairings. But it was not what fans wanted. They argued that the male and female counterparts playing together could mess up the ratings and game experience.
You will now be able to play as both men and women on the same court in NBA 2K.
— Hoops (@HoopMixOnly) August 14, 2025
pic.twitter.com/6ug6cWGGt1
This concept was introduced in FIFA 20 and subsequent titles, and many fans found it ‘weird’. For the NBA 2K26, fans expressed similar feelings.
One fan highlighted the ‘FIFA mistake’ and wrote, “Didn’t learn any sh*t from fifa…”.
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
Didn't learn any shit from fifa…
— furiousduck (@furiousduck2) August 14, 2025
Another fan mocked Angele Reese’s ratings and commented, “So Angel Reese a 5 out of 100 on other?”.
So angel Reese a 5 out of 100 on other?
— Jeff (@Jeffada69132057) August 14, 2025
A fan pointed out LeBron James’ stats in such games and wrote ,“The numbers I’m boutta put up in my WNBA career”.
The numbers I’m boutta put up in WNBA my career pic.twitter.com/QjGFc3wZbZ
— ✦ Dubs (@Dubswrld0) August 14, 2025
Another fan found it “Funny”.
Bout to be funny af
— bruhhhhhhh (@some_ban) August 14, 2025
One fan mocked the WNBA level, questioning their players’ ratings in such games. He wrote, “So do the female ballers max their rank out of 45?”
So do the female ballers max their rank out at 45?
— Alex 🇨🇦 🇨🇳 🇯🇲 (@leeman24) August 15, 2025
A fan simply gave a polarizing reply and wrote, “Either the best idea by 2K or the worst”.
This is either the best idea 2K ever had
— Fiat Miner 💵 ⛏️ (@TheFiatMiner) August 14, 2025
Or the worst. No in-between.
Right from the game launch, the NBA 2K26 faced some backlash right from its launch.
Fans Even Thrashed Angel Reese’s Image On The NBA2K26 Cover
That’s not all. Fans had been vocal about some ‘flaws’ in the game right from the cover photo. Many claimed that there are still better players in the league than the Sky forward. They provided different popular options like Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, or A’ja Wilson over AR5.
The player herself was unsatisfied with the ratings. A week after the cover release with Angel Reese’s image, the producers also made the players’ ratings public. AR5, with 90 overall rating in 2024, remains at the same rating. The Sky forward, with an excellent second year in the league, understandably, was not happy about the ratings. Still, the former LSU star falls into the top 10 players rated in the WNBA.
Her arch-rival, Caitlin Clark, improved from 90 to 91 in one season. Moreover, CC’s potential was 96. A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart. Alyssa Thomas and Sabrina Ionescu are other highly rated players in the game.