The NBA season is gearing up to restart its season in Disney World, as it has been quite some time we have had any NBA action.
Thankfully, fans have had NBA 2K20 to play and now we'll be heading into the new season with NBA 2K21.
With this Fall looking to be one of the biggest release windows in recent years, 2K is looking to captivate fans as they were once able too.
Here's everything you need to know about NBA 2K21!
Latest News
MyCareer To Be "Bit Of A Different Beast" - 29th August
In a QNA with OperationSports, some of the 2K developers had this to say about next-gen MyCareer:
"MyCareer is a bit of a different beast in next gen. Obviously we’re not going to have the Beach in next gen. We’ve got something brand new which is completely crazy. It doesn’t make sense to have that progress carry over”
Demo Time Confirmed - 23rd August
2K has confirmed the demo will be going live at 7:00 am PT tomorrow!
Gameplay Trailer - 6th August
Check out gameplay of NBA 2K21 on current-gen consoles
Release Date
2K Games has officially confirmed the release date for NBA 2K21 will be September 4th, 2020.
This is around the same time they tend to release the game every year, and it quite the feat they are on track to release the game amid the on-going global pandemic.
Platforms
We can expect NBA 2K21 to release on the following platforms:
- PC
- Xbox One
- PS4
- Nintendo Switch
- Xbox Series X
- PS5
2K has always strived to release their games on as many platforms as possible, so you can game anywhere you want! However, there has been some major controversy regarding 2K's method in releasing the games on next-gen consoles.
Next-Gen
With the release of next-gen consoles later this year, fans are anticipating picking up the newest 2K game on the console of their choice; however, 2K has made a rather questionable decision.
In a press release posted a few weeks ago, 2K Games confirmed that if you are looking to pick up an iteration of 2K on the Xbox Series X or PS5; you are going to have to pay an extra $10 USD per copy.
"NBA 2K21 will be available for $59.99** on current-generation platforms; the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X version of NBA 2K21 will be available for $69.99"
This decision has sparked massive amounts of backlash among 2K fans, and the general gaming community; as this may notion other game developers to up their price when next-gen hardware releases later this year.
Along with the additional cost on next-gen hardware, they will not be offering the free upgrade from current-gen to next-gen as companies such as EA have stated they will be doing this year.
So, we know 2K21 will be on next-gen; but they have not had the smoothest transition over thus far.
Cover Star
A few weeks ago we also got confirmation of all three cover stars for this year's 2K titles. The three cover stars will grace the front of each of the editions of the game.
- Damian Lillard NBA 2K21’s Current-Gen Standard Edition for Xbox One, PS4, PC, and Stadia.
- Zion Williamson is the face of NBA 2K21’s Next-Gen Standard Edition for PS5 and Xbox Series X.
- Kobe Bryant is the face of NBA 2K21’s Mamba Forever Edition – and will receive two covers with the package deal, one for current-gen, and one for next-gen.
MAMBA FOREVER: 2K pays tribute to Kobe Bryant by featuring him as one of the cover stars
Editions
With all the above cover stars, you are also going to have to choose between one of the three editions this September.
If you opt for the Mamba Forever Editon which is going to set you back $99.99 USD and will reward you with the following bonuses:
- 100,000 Virtual Currency
- 10,000 MyTEAM Points
- 10 MyTEAM Tokens
- 60 MyCAREER Skill Boosts
- 40 MyTEAM Promo Packs (10 at launch, then 3 per week)
- 2 Sapphire MyTEAM Standard Edition Cover Athlete Cards
- MyPLAYER Shoe Collection
- MyPLAYER 72 HR 2X REP Boost
- MyPLAYER backpack and ball
- Mamba Forever Edition Cover Athlete Digital Collection
Along with the bonuses for the Mamba Forever Edition, all players who pre-order the game will gain access to the following:
- 5000 Virtual Currency
- 5000 MyTEAM Points
- 10 MyTEAM Promo packs (Delivered one a week)
- 9 MyCAREER Skill Boosts
- 5 pair Shoe Collection
- Cover Athlete Digital Collection
Price
Here are all the prices for NBA 2K21!
- NBA 2K21 Standard Edition:
- Current Gen - £59.99
- Next-Gen - £64.99
- NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition:
- Current Gen - £84.99
- Next-Gen - £79.99
Trailer
We got our first look at 2K21 back during the PS5 reveal event in July. Albeit, we did not get any official gameplay in the trailer; but we did get some close-up images of the sweating mechanics!
MyPLAYER
Perhaps the most popular mode throughout the legacy of the 2K franchise is MyPlayer, this is where you are able to fully create your own NBA player.
2K Games has gone above and beyond to give a movie like story mode to the game, one that follows the turmoil that an NBA player may face in their journey to the big leagues.
Along with the immersive single-player MyPlayer aspect; there is also the online hub called The Park. This is where you and your friends can get together with your created players and battle it out together on the court!
One aspect that fans have been outraged by, is that they have confirmed that your MyPlayer progress on current-gen 2K21 will not carry over to next-gen 2K21.
Given the two month window in between releases, this is a major issue for players; as they may have to forgo the current-gen edition if they are planning to pick up next-gen.
Player Ratings
As always, any sports game is going to have player ratings; and this can be the most controversial and most talked-about component of any sports games.
Each year we see some minor/major changes to players overalls, and it is always a heated discussion into who should be the top-rated player each year.
Here are our best bests to be the top-rated players in the game.
- LeBron James
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- James Hardan
- Kevin Durant
- Kawhi Leonard
- Luka Donic
- Anthony David
- Damian Lillard
- Steph Curry
Demo/Beta
The NBA 2K21 free demo will be available on August 24th for Nintendo Switch, PS4 and Xbox One.
Courtesy of @NBA2K
MyGM/MyLeague
2K's take on a franchise game mode has been rather poor in recent years; repetitive mechanics along with an awkward interaction mechanic between you and another NPC's have plagued the mode.
It has more so been an after through in many players' eyes, but this could be the year they overhaul mode entirely.
We have seen other titles such as NHL, revamped their franchise mode to the delight of fans; so there is no excuse for 2K not to do the same.
MyTEAM
2K's take on the ultimate team game mode has been growing in popularity in recent years.
Like any ultimate team mode, the goal is to collect the best possible cards/players for your lineup and compete against people all over the world.
However, fans of this mode are well familiar with the number of micro-transactions that are present within the mode, but that has not stopped fans from playing.
Expect some additions and tweaks to the interface and the overall quality of life for MyTEAM this year!