NBA 2K21: Everything You Need To Know

NBA 2K21 released worldwide on Friday, September 4th. From new features, editions, and gameplay, to cover athletes, game modes, player ratings, trophies, badges, and more, here's everything you need to know about the latest title in the longest-standing basketball video game series.

Table of Contents:
Release Date and Platforms
Crossplay
Developer and Publisher
Editions and Prices
Pre-order
Covers and Cover Athletes
Trailers and Gameplay
Soundtrack
Game Modes
MyCAREER
MyTEAM
MyPLAYER Builder
Trophies
Badges
Player Ratings
FAQs

Release Date and Platforms

NBA 2K21 is released worldwide on September 4, 2020 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC and Google Stadia. For PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, NBA 2K21 will be available as a launch title this holiday.

Crossplay

Crossplay or cross-platform is where players on different platforms are able to party up and play together. 2K has never introduced this feature in past games, and it looks like NBA 2K21 will not support crossplay either.

Developer and Publisher 

NBA 2K21's publisher is 2K, and the game's developer is Visual Concepts.

Editions and Prices

Here are all of the NBA 2K1 editions and prices -- plus and a breakdown of what you get with each edition:

Current Gen Editions

Next Gen Editions

Pre-Order

You could have pre-ordered NBA 2K21 at nba.2k.com/buy/ up until the game released on September 4th. Now that the game is available for sale, you can buy it at the aforementioned site.

Covers and Cover Athletes

This year’s editions are graced by three different players, each deserving in their own right.

Current Gen Standard Edition Cover

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

The NBA 2K21 current gen Standard Edition cover star is Portland TrailBlazer’s star PG Dame Lillard, who lit the NBA on fire during its return to action this past month.

Next Gen Standard Edition Cover

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

Rookie sensation Zion Williamson will grace the cover of the next gen Standard Edition when it releases later this year for the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5.

Current Gen Mamba Forever Edition Cover

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

Former Los Angles Laker giant Kobe Bryant will be on the cover of the Mamba Forever Edition for both current gen and next gen. A touching tribute to one of the greatest basketball players of all time, who is deeply missed every day.

Next Gen Mamba Forever Edition Cover

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

Trailers and Gameplay

There have been numerous gameplay clips of 2K21, and last week players were granted access to a limited beta where we got to play five matches.

Below are all of the official trailers for NBA 2K21 that 2K Games has shown so far along with other gameplay footage from the demo.

NBA 2K21 - "Everything is Game" Current Gen Gameplay Trailer

NBA 2K21 - MyCAREER Neighborhood Trailer

NBA 2K21 Demo First Look

Soundtrack

No game is complete without the right music to jam out to while playing. 2K has gone ahead and released all the artists, tracks, and a Spotify playlist for this year’s game:

NBA2K21 Soundtrack

• "Blinding Lights" - The Weeknd
• "WHATS POPPIN" - Jack Harlow
• "God's Eyes" - Roddy Ricch
• "Let Me Know" (I Wonder Why Freestyle)" - Juice WRLD
• "No Threat" - Anonymuz, Denzel Curry
• "Sum 2 Prove" - Lil Baby
• "Bronze" - Stormzy
• "GATTI" - JACKBOYS, Pop Smoke & Travis Scott
• "Go Stupid" - Polo G, Stunna 4 Vegas, NLE Choppa and Mike WiLL Made-It
• "Value" - A$AP Ferg
• "Venom" - Little Simz
• "Bad Decisions" - The Strokes
• "Dior" - Pop Smoke
• "Ruthless (feat. Jay Critch) - Lil Tjay and Jay Critch
• "Fight for Your Right" - J Hus
• "CROWN" - CHIKA
• "Season Ticket Holder (feat. D. Wade, Raphael Saadiq and UD)" - Rick Ross, D. Wade, Raphael Saadiq and UD
• "Red Eye" - Young Boy Never Broke Again
• "My Block" - Che Lingo
• "Broke in a Minute" - Tory Lanez
• "Evisu" - Lauren Declasse
• "BREATHIN' (feat. P Money)" - Ocean Wisdom and P. Money
• "Dream the Dare" - Pure Bathing Culture
• "SWISH" - Chris Patrick
• "Cameras" - Jay Critch, Nick Mira and jetsonmade
• "Routine (feat. Rick Ross and Meek Mill)" - Wale, Meek Mill and Rick Ross
• "Balling" - Cardi B, Simba.Got.It
• "SAME TEAM" - Jerreau
• "Don't I?" - Tarik
• "I Want All the Bags" - Red Cafe
• "Cold" - Boy in Space and unheard
• "Racks" - Abderly
• "Any Other Way" - Stix
• "$ and Problems" - Samwyse
• "Balmain Belt" - Chaz Marcus
• "THEYKNO FREESTYLE" - Rae Khalil
• "How It Is" - Malz Monday
• "Alarm" - ELO
• "3 Pointer" - Sage English
• "Game Time" - Black$tar and Tyson Meshaq
• "Work" - Irie Da Brat
• "Photograph" - ill Nicky, Jared Anthony BangerOfheDay and Cheeba Hawk
• "BALL" - Zebbo
• "Wave" - Avidince
• "A Dub" - Ro$$ Mac
• "Mayday" - Jared Anthony
• "Hoop Dreams" - Fight Gang DraE and Glenn
• "The Next" - Kap Peezy

Game Modes

Here are the five predicted NBA 2K21 game modes:

• MyTEAM
• MyGM
• MyLEAGUE
• Park
• MyCAREER

MyCAREER

MyCAREER is the single-player game mode in the 2K series that lets fans create and dive into the crazy life that an NBA player has to undergo.

Last year had one of the best cinematic experiences for the game mode, and they are rolling out a brand new story for this year’s game mode as well.

The NBA 2K21 MyCAREER game mode will follow you as the superstar player in High School at the beginning. It appears you will be able to make a choice of which college you can play at for a limited time, before heading to the NBA.

We are sure 2K has thrown some curveballs in there as well, so be on the lookout!

MyTEAM

The MyTEAM game mode for NBA 2K21 is getting an ample amount of new features that they have posted about on a blog post here.

Some of the major features coming this year include: 

Brand new for NBA 2K21, Seasons will bring new content and new ways to play MyTEAM all year long! Earn the Season 1 grand prize, Pink Diamond Steph Curry, by simply completing Seasonal Agendas!

New ‘Vault’ prizes updated every Season in Triple Threat. We’ll actually update them during the Season as well, just to keep the mode as fresh as possible ...

New ‘Cumulative Win’ prizes added every Season in Triple Threat. If you played Triple Threat in 2K20, your interest is probably piqued right now. Let’s talk about how single player Triple Threat is going to work in 2K21, and why what we are doing this year is better. When NBA 2K21 launches, there are going to be 300 wins available for you on the win ‘ladder.' When you get to that 300th win in Season 1, you will no longer accrue additional wins to your tally, but you CAN continue chasing those ever-changing vault prizes! But hey, at 300 wins, you will have the guaranteed Season 1 prize in Triple Threat. It’s a Diamond card, and it’s a darn good one ...

MyTEAM Limited is a brand new MyTEAM game mode for NBA 2K21. This new mode is only available for play Friday, Saturday, and Sunday each week. The twist here is that the rules for the mode will be changing every single weekend when a new event is activated!

So, there are an ample amount of new features for 2K21 for MyTEAM players!

MyPLAYER Builder

MyPLAYER Builder lets you build your dream player from the ground up. With the option to mix and match different types of attribute combinations until you find the right one, you're in control of your path to becoming a basketball star.

Trophies

Here's the full list of NBA 2K21 trophies and how to complete each:

• Ultimate Collector: Earn every trophy in NBA 2K21
• Here We Go Again: Play an NBA game in MyCAREER
• Rough It To Class: Make it to college in MyCAREER
• Got What It Takes?: Declare for the draft in MyCAREER
• Hard Work Pays Off: Get drafted to an NBA team in MyCAREER
• Social Distancer: Perform an emote from a vehicle in MyCAREER
• Go Ahead And Jump: Create a jump shot in MyCAREER
• True Gamer: Enter the arcade in MyCAREER
• Life’s A Beach: Enter the Beach Life MyCOURT in MyCAREER
• Hall Of Famer: Achieve an overall rating of 90 in MyCAREER.
• Not Too Shabby: Score 10 points in a MyCAREER NBA game
• Contender: Score 20 points in a MyCAREER NBA game
• Clutch: Score 30 points in a MyCAREER NBA game
• Helping Hand: Get 5 assists in a MyCAREER NBA game
• Executive Assistant: Get 10 assists in a MyCAREER NBA game
• Punish Their Mistakes: Get 10 defensive rebounds in a MyCAREER NBA game
• I’ll Take That: Get 3 offensive rebounds in a MyCAREER NBA game
• Paladin: Get 5 offensive rebounds in a MyCAREER NBA game
• Deny, Deny, Deny: Get 3 blocks in a MyCAREER NBA game
• Not On My Court: Get 5 blocks in a MyCAREER NBA game
• Thief: Get 3 steals in a MyCAREER NBA game
• Five Finger Discount: Get 5 steals in a MyCAREER NBA game
• Undeniable: Make 5 free throws in a MyCAREER NBA game
• Tre’ Bomber: Make 5 three-pointers in a MyCAREER NBA game
• And The Award Goes To: Be named Player of the Game in a MyCAREER NBA game
• The I In Team: Score or assist on half your team’s points in a MyCAREER NBA game
• Double Trouble: Record a double-double in a MyCAREER NBA game
• All Rise: Record a triple-double in a MyCAREER NBA game
• Taking Over: Activate your MyPLAYER’s Takeover Meter
• Make A Trade: Acquire a card on The Exchange
• Welcome To The Next Level: Level up during any Season in MyTEAM
• Bling Bling!: Earn a season ring from any Season in MyTEAM
• I’m A Star: Earn all 594 stars in Domination mode in MyTEAM
• Weekend Warrior: Win 5 or more games of Limited in MyTEAM
• Badged Up: Apply a Hall of Fame badge to any player in MyTEAM
• Geologist: Collect a player card of every gem color in MyTEAM
• Dynamic: Play a game with two players who form a duo in MyTEAM
• I Choose You…: Evolve an Evolution player in MyTEAM
• Challenge Completed: Complete any Spotlight Challenge set in MyTEAM
• Motivational Speaker: Play a game in MyGM
• Makin’ Moves: Accept a Trade in MyLEAGUE
• Ladies’ Choice: Play a WNBA Quick Game
• Movie Critic: Select and watch an Episode of 2KTV
• Schumacher: Create a Pair of Shoes with Shoe Creator
• Good Call Coach: Make an on-the-fly defensive coaching adjustment during any game
• Now Do That Every Time: Make 1 Green Release shot in any game
• Just Right: Make 5 Green Release shots in any game
• Timing Is Everything: Make 10 Green Release shots in any game
• Triple Threat: Make 10 three-point shots in any one game
• Cover The Spread: Win any game by more than 10 points
• No Contest: Win a game by more than 20 points

Badges

Once you are done doing the MyPLAYER builder, you will use your VC to level up your character. Along the way, you can unlock badges that grant certain abilities to your player.

Here’s the full list of NBA 2K21 badges and how they function, courtsey of Gamepur:

Finishing

• Acrobat 
• Backdown Punisher 
• Consistent Finisher
• Contact Finisher
• Cross-Key Scorer 
• Deep Hooks 
• Dropstepper 
• Fancy Footwork
• Fastbreak Finisher 
• Giant Slayer
• Lob City Finisher
• Pick & Roller 
• Pro Touch 
• Putback Boss 
• Relentless Finisher
• Showtime
• Slithery Finisher
• Tear Dropper

Shooting

• Catch & Shoot 
• Clutch Shooter 
• Corner Specialist 
• Deadeye
• Deep Fades
• Difficult Shots
• Flexible Release
• Green Machine
• Hot Start 
• Hot Zone Hunter 
• Ice in Veins 
• Pick & Popper
• Pump Fake Maestro
• Range Extender 
• Slippery Off-Ball
• Steady Shooter 
• Tireless Shooter 
• Volume Shooter

Playmaking

• Ankle Breaker 
• Bail Out
• Break Starter 
• Downhill
• Dream Shake 
• Flashy Passer 
• Handles for Days 
• Lob City Passer
• Needle Threader
• Pass Fake Maestro
• Post-Spin Technician 
• Quick First Step
• Space Creator
• Stop & Go
• Tight Handle
• Unpluckable

Defense/Rebounding

• Box 
• Brick Wall 
• Chase Down Artist 
• Clamps 
• Heart Crusher 
• Interceptor
• Intimidator
• Lightning Reflexes
• Moving Truck
• Off-Ball Pest 
• Pick Dodger 
• Pick Pocket 
• Pogo Stick
• Post Move Lockdown 
• Rebound Chaser
• Rim Protector
• Tireless Defender 
• Trapper 
• Worm 

Player Ratings

One of the most important aspects of every sports game is the player ratings, and it appears 2K21 has some changes.

Thanks to 2KRatings, we can see the full list of the top-rated players. Here are the top 10 NBA 2K21 players:

1. 1. LeBron James - 97 OVR
2. 2. Giannis Anteokounmpo - 97 OVR
3. 3. Kawhi Leonard - 96 OVR
4. 4. James Harden - 96 OVR
5. 5. Kevin Durant - 95 OVR
6. 6. Anthony Davis - 95 OVR
7. 7. Stephen Curry - 95 OVR
8. 8. Luka Doncic - 94 OVR
9. 9. Damian Lillard - 94 OVR
10. 10. Joel Embiid - 91 OVR

FAQs

What’s new in NBA 2K21?

New for NBA 2K21, Seasons will bring new content and new ways to play MyTEAM year round.

MyTEAM Limited is a new MyTEAM game mode for NBA 2K21 that's only available to play Friday through Sunday. The mode's rules will change every weekend when a new event is activated.

Also new to NBA 2K21 is The Exchange, which lets you exchange your cards for cards that will become staples in your starting lineup. Every Season in MyTEAM will feature new Exchanges for you to collect and complete to earn exclusive cards. You will also have more control over how some of your Evolution Cards evolve as they tier up.

There will be new badges and badge changes in the next gen version of NBA 2K21.

Ascension is a new prizing mechanism added to NBA 2K21. It lets you flip over cards and collect whatever prize is on those cards. Other new features include Signature Challenges, Objective Tracker, and more.

When is NBA 2K21 set to release?

NBA 2K21 released worldwide on September 4, 2020 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC and Google Stadia. For PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, NBA 2K21 will be available as a launch title this holiday.

When is NBA 2K21 available for pre-order?

2K21 was available for pre-order at nba.2k.com/buy/ until it released on September 4, 2020. Now that the game is out, you can buy it at the aforementioned site.

How much will NBA 2K21 cost?

The NBA 2K21 Standard Edition costs $59.99 for current-gen consoles and $69.99 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition costs $99.99 for current-gen consoles and $99.99 for Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X.

Will NBA 2K21 be cross-platform? 

Unfortunately, 2K21 is not cross-platform. NBA 2K has never included cross-platform play.

Will NBA 2K21 be on PS4?

Yes, NBA 2K21 is available for PS4.

How much is NBA 2K21 on PS4?

NBA 2K21 Standard Edition for PS4 costs $59.99. NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition costs $99.99 for PS4.

Where can I buy NBA 2K21?

You can buy NBA 2K21 at nba.2k.com/buy or from any game store/website of your choice. 

Do I have to buy NBA 2K21 twice?

If you want to upgrade NBA 2K21 from a current-gen console to a next-gen console, you must buy the Mamba Forever Edition.

Will NBA 2K21 be on Nintendo Switch?

Yes. NBA 2K21 is available for Nintendo Switch.

Will NBA 2K21 transfer from PS4 to PS5 or from Xbox One to Xbox Series X?

Your entire MyTEAM collection and progress will carry over from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5, and from Xbox One to Xbox Series X.

Is NBA 2K21 going to be on Xbox One?

Yes. NBA 2K21 is available for Xbox One.

Is NBA 2K21 the last 2K?

No. 2K will continue to release a new NBA 2K game every year for the time being. 

Which version of NBA 2K21 should I buy?

If you plan to pick up the Xbox Series X or PS5, then you should buy the Mamba Forever Edition.

Will VC transfer from NBA 2K20 to 2K21?

Yes. NBA 2K21 features a Shared VC Wallet within the same console family, so PS4 to PS5 or Xbox One to Xbox Series X.

Will NBA 2K21 MyCAREER/MyPLAYER transfer?

No. Your MyPLAYER Inventory and progress will not transfer.

Will Kobe be on NBA 2K21?

Yes, Kobe Bryant is featured on both Mamba Forever Edition covers for current gen and next gen.

Is NBA 2K21 only for PS5?

No. NBA 2K21 is also available for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Google Stadia. It will also be available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X as a launch title this holiday.

What aspect of the new 2K are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below which  game you are picking up!

This article was written by Nick Farrell, a full-time university student who loves talking and writing about video games.