NBA 2K21 is releasing soon, here is everything you need to know.
2K is a fan favorite when it comes to the video game for the NBA over the past few years. 2K has even edged out its main competition EA Sports which led to NBA Live not making an appearance this year. 2K has revolutionized the sports video games with an in-depth MyCareer game mode and has led other games to copy a similar formula in recent years.
While 2K has dominated the market, they know they need to improve. So we see NBA 2K21 having some new features and improved gameplay. We will dive deeper into the improvements below. It’s also noteworthy that 2K21 will be available for the next-gen consoles when Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 release this holiday season.
Now that the basics covered let’s dive into what you will get when buying NBA 2K21.
NBA 2K21 will drop on September 4, 2020. The next-gen versions will release alongside the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. Microsoft and Sony have not yet stated official release dates for either console. though, both are planned to debut late November. The next-gen versions of NBA 2K21 will be available when the new consoles come in November.
NBA 2K21 comes in four flavors this year. The Standard Edition and Mamba Forever Edition for the current generation of consoles and then there will be a Standard Edition and Mamba Forever Edition for next-gen consoles. Each edition has its unique cover. Damian Lillard will be the face of the Standard Edition on the current generation while Zion Williamson is featured on the next-gen version. while Kobe Bryant is on both Mamba Forever Edition covers.
Here are the details of each version down below:
Standard Edition for Current Gen
Price: $59.99
What you get:
- 5,000 Virtual Currency
- 5,000 MyTEAM Points
- 10 MyTEAM Promo packs (delivered one a week)
- 9 MyCAREER Skill Boosts
- 5 pair Shoe Collection
- Damian Lillard Digital Collection
- Lillard MyTEAM Free Agent Card
- Custom Lillard MyPLAYER T-shirt
- Tissot Chrono XL NBA Watch for MyPLAYER
Mamba Forever Edition for Current Gen
What you get:
- 100,000 Virtual Currency
- 10,000 MyTEAM Points
- 10 MyTEAM Tokens
- 60 MyCAREER Skill Boosts
- 30 Gatorade Boosts
- 40 MyTEAM Promo Packs (10 at launch, then 3 per week)
- Sapphire Damian Lillard and Zion Williamson MyTEAM cards
- MyPLAYER Shoe Collection
- MyPLAYER backpack
- Kobe Bryant Digital Collection
- 5 MyPLAYER Shoes
- 3 MyPLAYER Jerseys
- Black Mamba MyPLAYER Uniform
- Rookie Lakers MyTEAM Jerseys
- Black Mamba custom MyTEAM Jerseys
- Sapphire Kobe MyTEAM Card (Evos to Ruby)
- 5 MyTEAM Shoes (Incl. 1 Diamond)
and the Damian Lillard Digital Collection.
Standard Edition for Next-Gen
Price: $69.99
What you get:
- 5,000 Virtual Currency
- 5,000 MyTEAM Points
- 10 MyTEAM Promo packs (delivered one a week)
- 9 MyCAREER Skill Boosts
- 5 pair Shoe Collection
- Zion Williamson Digital Collection
- Zion MyTEAM Free Agent Card
- Zion New Orleans Pelicans MyPLAYER Jersey
- Zion MyPLAYER Dunk Animation Package
Mamba Forever Edition for next-gen
What you get
- 100,000 Virtual Currency
- 10,000 MyTEAM Points
- 10 MyTEAM Tokens
- 60 MyCAREER Skill Boosts
- 30 Gatorade Boosts
- 40 MyTEAM Promo Packs (10 at launch, then 3 per week)
- Sapphire Damian Lillard and Zion Williamson MyTEAM cards
- MyPLAYER Shoe Collection
- MyPLAYER backpack
- Kobe Bryant Digital Collection
- 5 MyPLAYER Shoes
- 3 MyPLAYER Jerseys
- Black Mamba MyPLAYER Uniform
- Rookie Lakers MyTEAM Jerseys
- Black Mamba custom MyTEAM Jerseys
- Sapphire Kobe MyTEAM Card (Evos to Ruby)
- 5 MyTEAM Shoes (Incl. 1 Diamond)
and the Zion Williamson Digital Collection.
Photos from nba.2k.com
How to upgrade NBA 2K21 to next-gen
There is good news and bad news for those who want to upgrade their 2K21 from the current generation to the next. The good news is that it is possible with the Mamba Forever Edition though not possible if you buy the Standard Edition.
Note that you can only upgrade to next-gen only if you stay within the console family (PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 or Xbox One to Xbox Series X). You will receive the Zion Williamson Digital Collection for free when upgrading to the next-gen version of the game. This offer is available for both physical and digital copies.
NBA 2K21 gameplay changes
In a Courtside Report update, 2K stated that cover star Damian Lillard made some suggestions that would improve the game. One is that your MyCareer player can now reach an increased maximum height of 6’8. Some additional minor updates were also included in what 2K calls “fun-ifying” the game.
They also stated that the Pro Stick has improved jump shooting. An addition to shooting in 2K21 is Shot Stick Aiming. This feature was in NBA 2K17, but the company says it has improved on it based on user feedback. There are also 40 new Park jump shot landings added.
NBA 2K21 will be available on:
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox One
- Switch
- Steam/PC
