NBA 2K21

NBA 2K21 Next Generation is a massive leap for the basketball franchise, one that comes in many different shapes. First of all, playing in the WNBA is a joy, especially given the introduction of the W. Also, The City is just humongous, and it'll offer plenty to do whether it is against people or even the CPU through challenges. And, of course, the Next Gen power feels amazing, from both a visual and a performance standpoint.

NBA 2K21 on PS5 is a significant and stunning next-gen upgrade: this is the best title that fans deserve, and an absolutely great and genuine multiplayer experience.

Fot its first venture into the next gen' realm, NBA 2K21 scores hard, with improved visuals a better framerate, and the reworked shoot system from Visual Concepts. We only wish the new Career mode would have been better.

NBA 2K21 on PS5 offers a big improvement to gameplay, and whilst the inclusion of The W is great, The City needs more time to grow. Gameplay is superb when not in The City, and the combination of MyLeague and MyGM is a welcome change to a flagging mode.

The limits of the old gen edition, especially in terms of microtransactions, are still present, but on the playful and visual side NBA 2K21 Next Gen is a game that knows how to hit the basket.

This PS5 edition offers new ideas and swish next-gen presentation. It looks, plays, and feels a step above PS4 but is held back by a similar need to open your wallet. [Issue#183, p.80]

A considerable improvement over the PS4 version, with stellar graphics and loads of new additions. There are still a lot of microtransactions, though... so you should be aware of that.

NBA 2K21 on the court is a true showcase of the next generation of consoles, a leap of quality with the best sports gameplay ever in a game. But, off the court, it demonstrates everything that's been wrong with NBA 2K for the past years: a pay-to-win experience riddled with microtransactions that drowns what otherwise could be an excellent game.

NBA 2K21 is an impressive overhaul of an already excellent basketball simulation. There are times where it over-extends; The City, for example, is an awesome idea in principle, but its sheer scale can leave it feeling deserted. Still, while we have legitimate gripes with the game’s implementation of VC, there’s no denying that next-gen hooping feels fantastic. And with so many modes and features, as well as industry-leading presentation, there’s no doubt that 2K Sports is starting this generation off strong.

Visually impressive basketball sim that is simply breathtaking on the court. In terms of game moeds you feel the old gen remains – as you do in the still annoying micro transactions.

NBA 2K21 makes a solid debut on next-gen consoles, but may fall short of some fans’ razzle dazzle expectations. The game looks impressive, if slightly uneven, and new animations make for silky-smooth on-court action, but a lack of unique, worthwhile content holds the overall package back. If you’ve been waiting for NBA 2K21 on PS5 and Xbox Series X, or bought the Mamba Forever Edition that comes with a free upgrade, this is certainly the best version to play. That said, if you don’t have access to the upgrade (or a PS5 or XSX for that matter) you don’t need to feel too bad about sticking to the G League this year.

Ultimately, this next-gen NBA 2K21 is what September's NBA 2K21 should have been.

The game looks miles better than its PS4 and Xbox One counterparts, but a fresh coat of paint and better animations can't fix the biggest issue NBA 2K21 and every other 2K game in the past 4 or 5 years have: Microtransactions.

NBA 2K21 nails the 3 when it comes to gameplay and performance, all but sending the PS4 version to the annals of history. However, game mode choices and lack of MyPlayer transfer keep the PS4 version relevant when it comes to time investment and previous playtime. With The City being more spread out and barriers put up between modes, NBA 2K21 on PS5 feels disconnected. Consider what your needs and wants are with this game before choosing which version to buy.