In the game the player is able to use a roster of NBA players from the past and present to form a fictional team and play an arcade-style 2-on-2 basketball game. Winning a game unlocks card packs that offer more players.
In 2018, Take-Two Interactive released NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 which added updated rosters, a more story-based "NBA Season Mode" to replace the first game's Tournament Mode, and, Microtransactions.
The following tropes are featured among both games:
- Artistic License – Physics: Similar to NBA Jam, players can make unrealistically high jumps and hover in the air for slam dunks. In addition, the ball is able to slow down during its descent into the hoop.
- Awesomeness Meter: The second game adds a meter that fills when a player performs certain moves, and filling it allows the use of a special ability.
- Invisible Wall: The ball will always remain in-bounds even if it becomes loose.
- Limit Break: The move meter in the second game allows your team to perform an advantage-gaining move once it becomes filled.
- Microtransactions: The second game added these with the player able to use real money to purchase in-game "Baller Bucks" for the purchase of in-game player packs. They can be avoided, however since winning a game in any mode also unlocks Baller Bucks.
- Wreaking Havok: An arcade-style basketball game with ragdoll physics for the ball and players.
