NBA 2K21

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 50 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 37 out of 50
  3. Negative: 0 out of 50
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  1. Vandal
    Sep 9, 2020
    85
    NBA 2K21 offers the best virtual basketball experience out there, even if it still needs some tweaks to polish the gameplay and microtransactions are, once again, everywhere.
  2. Meristation
    Sep 11, 2020
    84
    With some small gameplay changes and an improved My Team Mode, NBA 2K21 offers enough to still be considered one of the best sports videogames on the market. Still, it takes a more powerful hardware to show the great change the franchise really needs.
  3. Hobby Consolas
    Sep 8, 2020
    81
    Coronavirus has extended the previous season of the NBA and next-gen is very close, so the timing is not the best for this entry in the franchise, which is very continuist. However, it is still a great basketball game.
  5. God is a Geek
    Sep 15, 2020
    80
    NBA 2K21 is a fantastic basketball simulation, but it is a shame that most of the game feels more like an update than an entirely new entry.
  6. DarkStation
    Sep 14, 2020
    80
    At the end of the day, NBA 2K21 is still an insanely good game of basketball that feels and plays like a game that hit its stride a couple of years ago and is now coming to the end of the generation. I still am amazed at how good the moment to moment action is in this game. And although I would have loved to see them really go for it in the MyCareer mode and revamp the microtransactions more than they did, this is still a game that I adore and continue to be impressed by. I have no idea what to expect from the PS5/XSX versions of this game but if its roots are still planted in the foundation of the last couple of years, we could have a very exciting game of basketball to look forward to.
  7. PlayStation Universe
    Sep 9, 2020
    80
    NBA 2K21 executes the fundamentals of basketball to perfection. Add to that a wonderful narrative in Long Shadow, and the package becomes even more appealing - even if MyCareer is linked to an online mode. These modes have a lot of potential, especially My Neighborhood, but some of the ideas still need a year or two of percolation before they're at their true potential.
  8. Multiplayer.it
    Sep 8, 2020
    80
    NBA 2K21 is still one of the best sport simulations around, but if you are looking for something really new you should probably wait for its next-gen version.
  9. The Games Machine
    Sep 13, 2020
    79
    Gameplay wise, NBA 2K21 is once again an excellent product, and the best hoops videogame on the market (also due to lack of competition). While very similar to its predecessor, it is also evolved and revised. However, being a 2K title, microtransactions are inescapable.
  10. AusGamers
    Oct 12, 2020
    76
    It's pretty much unchanged from last year, however. That's the deal with NBA 2K21. If you can find a way to deal with the new shooting mechanism and you don't mind some pretty bad storytelling, NBA 2K21 is great… because it's largely unchanged from last year. Or the year before. Or the year before that.
  11. New York Daily News
    Oct 5, 2020
    75
    No, it’s the same great game it was last year, the same awesome basketball gaming experience it was last year. It’s just not quite a must-buy, especially if you’re taking aim at the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5.
  12. Malditos Nerds
    Sep 22, 2020
    75
    NBA 2K21 is still the best in terms of simulation and production values that can be found in the sports genre, but the truth is that this is no longer enough to make it essential. In fact, gamers who already own 2K19 or 2K20 should stay there, unless they are dedicated to competing online and want to always be up to date.
  13. Player 2
    Sep 13, 2020
    75
    NBA 2K21 is the best that basketball simulations have ever been, yet the game buckles under the weight of intense microtransactions designed to bleed you dry.
  14. BaziCenter
    Sep 13, 2020
    75
    There aren't much changes in the latest entry in 2K's NBA series, and it seems that the developers are finally out of ideas, at least for this generation. If you already own the 2020 version, there is not much sense in paying the full price to get your hands on the new game, and maybe it's best to wait and see how the series will go forward when next gen arrives.

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2020

User Reviews

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User Score
0.9

Overwhelming dislike- based on 546 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 546
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 546
  3. Negative: 500 out of 546
  1. GhostBigfoot
    Sep 5, 2020
    0
    It absolutely disgusts me to be a basketball fan when 2k exists. This game is the equivalent to vomit, piss, and **** in a dumpster that's onIt absolutely disgusts me to be a basketball fan when 2k exists. This game is the equivalent to vomit, piss, and **** in a dumpster that's on fire. NBA 2k21 is the worst basketball game ever created with almost no changes from NBA 2k18 to here besides a stupid meter change. Just because you change the meter doesn't mean it's good Ronnie! The fact that your cover athlete, Damian Lillard said your game is trash is saying something about your product 2k. MyCareer has a trash story again and all they did was give birth to a 2k18 x 2k19 plus some palm trees, it's the same boring land of **** again. MyTeam is the same greedy garbage again with nothing changing, your builds are the exact same from 2k20, same gameplay but you can't make a shot. This why I encourage people to not spend their money on this trash, please encourage yourself and others not to spend money on this pissful company who are so greedy releasing the same copy and paste garbage every year. The game keeps crashing like the ****ty product it is. Don't buy this garbage for your sake and others, 0/10. … Full Review »
  2. RickyCombat
    Sep 5, 2020
    0
    Where do I **** start with this one??? Do you hate yourself??? Then buy this game. There’s nothing worse than the self loathing sensation ofWhere do I **** start with this one??? Do you hate yourself??? Then buy this game. There’s nothing worse than the self loathing sensation of knowing that you’ve been conned out of money, and 2K21 will deliver you that sensation in spades. I’ve played 2K for years, and NBA live before that. Honestly the shooting is one of the most unenjoyable things I’ve experienced in gaming. I understand they might want to make it more competitive.....But finishing a game with both teams totalling 60 odd three point attempts, with only 2 of those going in, is absolutely insane. It’s not hard, there’s no “skill gap”, it’s not about badges, the game is absolutely broken. You’ll run a perfect pick and roll, the defence collapses, you kick it out to the free man in the corner, and 97 times out of 100 you will brick that shot. I’m not exaggerating, it is insane. The cover athlete tweeted that he can’t even make a free throw for **** sake!!! I struggle to put this into perspective...I had “No Mans Sky” day one, and I feel more conned with 2k21.

    Also here’s a disclaimer; I’m using the new pro stick features they’ve forced on us, I went 10-0 in online triple threat today...it was still **** I won those games exclusively shooting 3 feet away from the basket. Nothing fun about it.

    Apparently there’s a “hot fix” coming tomorrow for the shooting, but jesus christ read the reddit pages and twitter replies before you buy this game....Unless you hate yourself of course!    … Full Review »
  3. Kaydn
    Sep 5, 2020
    0
    The worst sports game i have ever played. Nothing in it works, I cant rhink of a single positive thing to say about it. Do not buy under anyThe worst sports game i have ever played. Nothing in it works, I cant rhink of a single positive thing to say about it. Do not buy under any circumstances… Full Review »
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