2K Unveils NBA 2K21 Cover Athletes; $70 Next-Gen Price Tag
2K Sports has revealed the three cover athletes for NBA 2K21: Damian Lillard (PS4/XB1 Standard Edition - $60), Zion Williamson(PS5/XBX Standard Edition - $70), and Kobe Bryant (Mamba Forever versions of each console - $100).
The current-gen version of the game will be released on September 4, 2020. The next-gen version will be a launch title for the new consoles, but no release date has been disclosed at this time. All versions are currently available to pre-order.
Unlike other companies, it does not appear that 2K will be providing a free upgrade to the new consoles for users who buy 2K21 on current gen. Only those who buy the Mamba Forever version will receive the standard edition of the game on the other console generation.
No game features or news have been revealed at this time, but 2K has stated that to 'bridge the two versions of the game' NBA 2K21 will feature MyTEAM Cross-Progression and a Shared VC Wallet within the same console family (PS4 to PS5, Xbox One to Xbox Series X). 2K states in official notes and graphics that the next-gen game has been built from the ground up and will include 'new gameplay features and expanded game modes.'
It's also worth noting that NBA 2K21 will retail on the next-gen consoles for $70, increasing by $10 over the current MSRP for most titles. Will this change your game buying habits for the PS5 and Xbox Series X?
Continue on to see the official press release from 2K Sports.
2K today unveiled the full roster of cover athletes for NBA® 2K21, the next iteration of the top-rated and top-selling NBA video game simulation series of the past 19 years*. On the cover of the current-generation version of NBA 2K21 is five-time NBA All-Star and Portland Trail Blazers' standout Damian Lillard. Zion Williamson – New Orleans Pelicans forward, 2019 1st Overall Pick and consensus 2019 National College Player of the Year, lands the cover for the PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X version. Finally, NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s lifetime achievement of basketball excellence is celebrated in the Mamba Forever Edition.
NBA 2K21 will be available on current-generation platforms on September 4, 2020 and is available for pre-order today; it will also be available on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X as a launch title this holiday. With extensive improvements upon its best-in-class graphics and gameplay, competitive and community online features and deep, varied game modes, NBA 2K21 offers one-of-a-kind immersion into all facets of NBA basketball and culture – where Everything is Game.
“NBA 2K21 is a monumental leap forward for the franchise,” stated Greg Thomas, president of Visual Concepts. “We’re combining all of our experience and development expertise to craft the best game possible and for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, we are building the game from the ground up to take full advantage of next-gen power and technology.”
This year, NBA 2K21 will offer two editions of the game on digital and physical formats - standard and a special Mamba Forever Edition. 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.** NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition will be available for $99.99 for both current and next-generation platforms.** It includes dual-access where purchasing Mamba Forever Edition on either current or next-generation platforms provides a copy of the standard edition game on the other generation at no additional cost, within the same console family. A full breakdown of pre-order details is available at https://nba.2k.com/.
For NBA 2K21, Legend Edition is replaced by the Mamba Forever Edition, celebrating Kobe Bryant’s lifelong pursuit of victory and legacy in the sport of basketball. For many fans, Kobe’s achievements on the court and love for the game had tremendous impact around the world and his list of awards and accolades is intensive: five-time NBA champion, 18-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, 2008 NBA MVP, 11-time All-NBA First Team, 9-time NBA All-Defensive First Team, two-time NBA Scoring Champion, 2008 and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist, the all-time leading scorer for the Los Angeles Lakers and much more. Kobe was the cover athlete for NBA 2K10, the Legend Edition of NBA 2K17 and is immortalized in the NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition with unique custom covers for both current generation and next-generation versions of the game that honor the span of his career, from his days wearing No. 8 and scoring 81 points to scoring 60 points wearing No. 24 the night of his final NBA game.
While the next-generation version of NBA 2K21 is being built from the ground up for next-generation consoles, 2K is also introducing several initiatives to bridge the two versions of the game. NBA 2K21 will feature MyTEAM Cross-Progression and a Shared VC Wallet within the same console family (PS4 to PS5, Xbox One to Xbox Series X). MyTEAM Cross-Progression enables all MyTEAM Points, Tokens, cards and progress to be shared on both current and next-generation versions of NBA 2K21 in the same console family; similarly, the Shared VC Wallet means any earned or purchased VC is accessible across both current and next-generation versions of NBA 2K21 in the same console family. As shared earlier, players who are interested in picking up both versions of NBA 2K21 on either PlayStation or Xbox can check out the Mamba Forever Edition, which provides dual-access by providing purchasers with a copy of the standard edition of NBA 2K21 on the other generation at no additional cost, within the same console family.
“Each of our cover athletes represent different eras of the game of basketball – Damian Lillard dominates the court today, Zion Williamson is a standard bearer for the next generation of NBA superstar and what more could be said about Kobe?,” stated Alfie Brody, Vice President of Global Marketing at NBA 2K. “Three athletes representing the current, future and storied history of the game. Today’s exciting announcement is just the first of many for NBA 2K21; it’s going to be a huge year for basketball fans and NBA 2K gamers.”
Looking ahead, NBA 2K will be releasing additional announcements and news about NBA 2K21 including the soundtrack reveal, first looks at gameplay and features for both current and next-generation versions of NBA 2K21, 2K Day celebration and much more.
NBA 2K21 will be available worldwide on PlayStation® 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch™, Windows PC and Google Stadia on September 4, 2020. NBA 2K21 will also be available on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X as a launch title this holiday.
