NBA 2K21

 Xbox One
User Score
1.7

Overwhelming dislike- based on 130 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 130
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 130
  3. Negative: 106 out of 130
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  1. Jimj
    Sep 8, 2020
    3
    First off if you like Myteam you're in for a rude awakening because every singleplayer mode within my MyTeam is set to the highest difficulty this year domination in order to get three stars you have to play every team on Hall of Fame difficulty Triple Threat offline is on Hall of Fame difficulty. They literally pushed out the Casual player
  2. devonbarton
    Sep 9, 2020
    3
    Every year the game comes out half assed with so many bugs and I made a glass cleaning finisher with a 80 layup and 92 close shot and I still can't make a layup over a pointguard with 4 hof badges. I've had vc not given to me from my career games and I still haven't gotten them from Dailey objectives and people litteraly can't can't the ball but they can catch oops from half court over 3 people
  3. Xmanswag
    Mar 31, 2021
    2
    I have played Myteam, play now, MyLeague, but not MyCareer and so far it's like playing 2k20 just some changes, the new shot meter is fine but it needs to be bigger in my opinion, there are too many glitches like balls going thought players, players going through other players and more, the timing for shot meter isn't ways the best, I had sometroubles as the shot meter dosent seamI have played Myteam, play now, MyLeague, but not MyCareer and so far it's like playing 2k20 just some changes, the new shot meter is fine but it needs to be bigger in my opinion, there are too many glitches like balls going thought players, players going through other players and more, the timing for shot meter isn't ways the best, I had sometroubles as the shot meter dosent seam responsive enough to work, I am also on Xbox one.… Expand
  4. Chrisjohnson7
    Sep 10, 2020
    2
    The obvious thing to point out is that the game is developed on the 2k17 engine with crop aesthetics of 2k20. Cloaking old technology and game modes to appear like a new game didn't do this justice. Every game mode has experienced a crash or two. The title was not tested and deserves the score received
  5. cuatdrak
    Sep 10, 2020
    2
    Why? I loved 2k20. Why did they have to wreck it so bad? If you're playing against a much better team, your players will play like they're in middle school. They'll miss shots they'd normally hit. Very NBA. They'll do a weird wiggle thing when you mash the shoot button; and not shoot until covered. Very NBA. You'll have a guy on a breakaway highlighted and hit the pass button. TheWhy? I loved 2k20. Why did they have to wreck it so bad? If you're playing against a much better team, your players will play like they're in middle school. They'll miss shots they'd normally hit. Very NBA. They'll do a weird wiggle thing when you mash the shoot button; and not shoot until covered. Very NBA. You'll have a guy on a breakaway highlighted and hit the pass button. The pass will go to a random player instead. Very NBA. There is so much more that is just crap and not fun at all. I get losing to a better team but why did the programmers make it so your players are just completely not NBA material because the other team has a few star players? Why they would think that would be fun? That's why we play games. For the fun. Anyone in the gaming industry that doesn't realize that should go find another job. Last year's game wasn't nearly this bad. There was a lot of fun to be had that has just been destroyed by people bad at their jobs.… Expand
  6. Tbeirl
    Mar 26, 2021
    2
    Worst 2k yet. Very inconsistent. Mycareer is very frustrating because they pull you out st the most ridiculous times. Not realistic at all as far as that goes. Good graphics terrible animations.
  7. YellaBoiJay36
    May 6, 2021
    2
    Worst f**king 2K to date... Online match playing is so jacked up it takes away the whole morale of the game. 2K Games & T2 Interactive we deserve waaaay better.
  8. mbmartins
    Sep 17, 2020
    1
    Im Tired of play long difficult games in myteam and after win stuck in loadings and lost everything that I win and all that I pay to play the game... You won't score unless if you are under post and the IA will show how to do 3 points that you will never do. Buged play to win and to lost game... dont even try...
  9. Kurdtfury
    Sep 8, 2020
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. WTF! Its one thing for this game to make me playthrough a bunch of worthless games and stupid cuts cutscenes but the reality is all that would be fine if not for the fact THEY FORCE AN INJURY ON YOU!!!!
    Come on 2k just when the pendulum is swinging in your favor you go and release this piece of garbage. Overall I like the gameplay improvements and MyGm is starting ro really come into its own. McCarver is the only frustrating part and that sucks cause its my favorite mode.    … Expand
  10. BjTorch
    Sep 8, 2020
    1
    Severs are trash! I could not play the last 32 hrs of the beach party. We couldnt play 5v5 pro am. We couldn’t play Rec. I tweeted @nba2k21 @2ksupport, and no one seemed to care. The Customer support is bad. I’m tired of spending hundreds of dollars on this game and just to keep getting a bad product.
  11. volant_lynx69
    Sep 10, 2020
    1
    TL;DR: THIS GAME IS GARBAGE, holding out hope for Next-Gen.

    I honestly don't know where to start. I have played every 2k since 2k7 and this is probably one of the worst if not THE worst. Was fine with 2k20 overall but going from that to 2k21 is a brutal awakening. I am a huge MyTeam player and this game is a slap in the face to anyone who loves MyTeam. Yes they added in creative new    TL;DR: THIS GAME IS GARBAGE, holding out hope for Next-Gen.

    I honestly don't know where to start. I have played every 2k since 2k7 and this is probably one of the worst if not THE worst. Was fine with 2k20 overall but going from that to 2k21 is a brutal awakening. I am a huge MyTeam player and this game is a slap in the face to anyone who loves MyTeam. Yes they added in creative new 'seasons' and agendas. The only positive is the 'Exchange' that is why they get 1 point in my review. But that is the only positive. In an effort to bring back the pro-stick for dribble moves, they completely wrecked the shot meter and the shot accuracy that it takes to score from pretty much anywhere is 99%, not to mention the shot meter is so small. I have played about 50 games and have made maybe 8 or 9 3-pointers. The animations and shot meter don't allow for very quick shooting surprsingly. Servers are still garbage and match making is a JOKE. Triple Threat Offline is impossible to play because the matchups are OP, or to compensate for a matchup that is in the player's favor, its like they have the sliders turned up for CPU. CPU manages so many blocks, double covered shots, and stupid steals. (Supposedly only at All-star difficulty). Domination is ridiculous because now instead of the traditional, 1 star = Rookie, 2 star = Pro, 3 star = All-Star, now they upped it to 1 star = Pro, 2 star = All-Star, 3 star = Hall of Fame, this is so unnecessary and unwarranted.    … Expand
  12. V1k1ng
    Jan 28, 2021
    1
    Long time NBA2k player here doing what most fans are trying to do...send a message.

    My issues are: Change presentation of an old title and pass it off as new. Adding a frustrating grind, while punishing you harshly for even the smallest of perceived mistakes. Getting un-apologetically screwed out of progressing on your own play. This years game (more than any other year) reeks of    Long time NBA2k player here doing what most fans are trying to do...send a message.

    My issues are:
    Change presentation of an old title and pass it off as new.
    Adding a frustrating grind, while punishing you harshly for even the smallest of perceived mistakes.
    Getting un-apologetically screwed out of progressing on your own play.
    This years game (more than any other year) reeks of "pay-to-play".

    This grind is not worth your time nor is the BS VC 2k keeps peddling. THE VC YOU RENT, NOT OWN. I used to support 2k as an up and comer, doing things differently than the status quo. Now they are right up there with EA Sports as the WORST developer/publishers on the market. They won't abandon the pay-to-play model, don't kid yourself. They are just cashing in on the frustration they present their players while calling it a game. You won't get another dime from me 2k and I will be watching closer next year. I said the same thing to EA about Madden21. If you come at us (the community) with more of this garbage, I done with you.    … Expand
  13. Redbaron0110
    Mar 31, 2021
    1
    This game is the worst version. Shooting is complete trash. 2k took a major step backwards in this year’s iteration.
  14. richardkenny
    Jul 14, 2021
    0
    Cpu cheating is off the charts ridiculous. Meanwhile i miss wide open 3s can't even steal ball any more. Game just isn't fun.
  15. draediamond
    Sep 9, 2020
    0
    Unless you’re paying for VC to transfer on next gen, save your money. It’s 2k20 2.0. The shooting is awful and it’s not worth learning with a new game coming shortly. It feels like they’re using the players as guinea pigs. Just like last year, I doubt they properly play tested this. Getting into some game modes is difficult as it is with every 2k upon release. I literally can’t think ofUnless you’re paying for VC to transfer on next gen, save your money. It’s 2k20 2.0. The shooting is awful and it’s not worth learning with a new game coming shortly. It feels like they’re using the players as guinea pigs. Just like last year, I doubt they properly play tested this. Getting into some game modes is difficult as it is with every 2k upon release. I literally can’t think of any improvements except for the park. If 2k21 on next gen isn’t a major upgrade then this is plain pathetic.… Expand
  16. antoniomit
    Mar 14, 2021
    0
    Terrible, matchmaking 70 vs 99, vaya mierda de juego. Es un casino royale, si pagas todo bien
  17. mythiiix
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Fk greedy ea, nice unskippable ads that artificially extend load times. never buying ea game ever.… Expand
  18. ToXTeR
    Oct 11, 2020
    0
    Microtransaction, copypast. Microtransaction, copypast. Microtransaction, copypast.
  19. StubbornStanley
    Sep 12, 2020
    0
    Absolutely terrible. I’ve played this franchise since the Dreamcast games and can say this is the worst entry yet. MyTeam is the worst mode. It’s WAY too hard. The meta is running a gimmick play to get a cutter open, pretty much like last year. How is that fun, and how is that any replication of a sport that you enjoy? In all modes, defense lags. You cannot properly react to aAbsolutely terrible. I’ve played this franchise since the Dreamcast games and can say this is the worst entry yet. MyTeam is the worst mode. It’s WAY too hard. The meta is running a gimmick play to get a cutter open, pretty much like last year. How is that fun, and how is that any replication of a sport that you enjoy? In all modes, defense lags. You cannot properly react to a cutting player. This is a severe problem in MyCareer, where your entry-level player can’t even dream of keeping pace with offensive players who cut and drive (but be a sucker and plop down $75 for a decent player, right?). Graphics haven’t improved. Shooting is more touchy and worse than ever. I want a simulation, not an arcade game. If Steph is open and has a reasonably good release, I want to make half those shots, and if he’s contested, I want to make 2 or 3 out of 10. This game only causes me frustration. I had almost zero fun across all game modes. Franchise is the best mode, but much like other sports games, greedy corporations and pouring all resources into modes to extract more money. At this point, all sports games should be free to play with the way they monetize them. I’m stupid enough to buy this garbage from year to year. Don’t be like me. Avoid this game. Even Madden is better than 2K21 this year, and that’s saying something.… Expand
  20. Dmor
    Sep 6, 2020
    0
    COPY AND PASTE: game has been the same since 2K15. Honestly. No menu change since 2K17 just reskins. Same engine since 2K14 and will continue to use it into next gen. Literally some historic face scans havent changed since 2K9 and not to mention having to build a MyTeam every year just to lose all your progression the next year. Paying $60 for patches is not acceptable and now they'reCOPY AND PASTE: game has been the same since 2K15. Honestly. No menu change since 2K17 just reskins. Same engine since 2K14 and will continue to use it into next gen. Literally some historic face scans havent changed since 2K9 and not to mention having to build a MyTeam every year just to lose all your progression the next year. Paying $60 for patches is not acceptable and now they're charging $70 for the little they already do? Sad. Get this game when its $2 on steam or when it is on your platform.… Expand
  21. Memo_
    Sep 10, 2020
    0
    This game is trash, it is 100% unplayable. Not even going to talk about how this is a clear scheme to drain money out of your bank account
  22. jbpalmr
    Sep 6, 2020
    0
    Worst sports game I've ever played and it's not particularly close. Shooting mechanics are horrendous. Park connections unstable. Everything about this game is straight garbage.
  23. IliyaKiller
    Sep 5, 2020
    0
    Your stuff WONT carry over to the next gen, not to mention that the game doesn’t support smart delivery either. Waste of money and greedy AF. This is the most insulting NBA game up to date.
  24. ODBGZA
    Sep 6, 2020
    0
    Avoid at all cost if you like to make shooting builds, it’s almost impossible to green in this game using the x button. Same glitches in 2k20. Only thing different in this game is the park and even that looks worse this year. Don’t get scammed
  25. Rudnicki349
    Sep 7, 2020
    0
    Same game as 2k20 except completely ruined the shooting. Myteam changes are awesome but gameplay is so broken that you only try to get layups. Dont bother shooting because you're just going to miss
  26. Jnelrod
    Oct 11, 2020
    0
    This is the worst sports game I’ve ever played. I would rather get kicked in the nuts then ever play this **** game again.
  27. neviusnc
    Sep 7, 2020
    0
    Absolutely a hot pile of trash. If you knowingly buy and support this game then you are truly a cancer to the industry and are encouraging anti consumer practices. You get slapped and turn the other cheek in life
  28. treyofakind
    Sep 10, 2020
    0
    Copy and paste game with worse shooting mechanics certain lines of text aren’t even replaced referring to the protagonist in my career from last years game. This years offense in general is very terrible and they don’t give you the option to select which shot meter you want to use as they did in previous years the only positives are a new park (2kbeach) and the retooled my player builder.Copy and paste game with worse shooting mechanics certain lines of text aren’t even replaced referring to the protagonist in my career from last years game. This years offense in general is very terrible and they don’t give you the option to select which shot meter you want to use as they did in previous years the only positives are a new park (2kbeach) and the retooled my player builder. They still haven’t implemented custom pie charts in the player builder as they said the would before last years fane came out. If they dindt make shooting so badge oriented this would be a very enjoyable game.… Expand
  29. N8block
    Sep 12, 2020
    0
    Terrible experience all around. Been a fan of this series since 99. This might be the last time I ever play the game.
  30. devinlane16
    Sep 13, 2020
    0
    I made an account just to give this game a zero. I understand there isn’t much changes because the new gen consoles are coming out, but godly this game is horrible. In online quick play, you have to get greens just to hit a 3-point. If not, it’s not going in. New layup stuff is trash too. Game is trash.
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Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 24
  3. Negative: 3 out of 24
  1. CD-Action
    Dec 18, 2020
    45
    I wish I could call NBA 2K21 derivative but still good. It looks great as ever, but gameplay balance was ruined completely by the new shooting system, there are no new features, the MyTeam mode is going downhill plagued by microtransactions, and the game as a whole lacks even a tiniest spark of passion. [12/2020, p.67]
  2. XboxAddict
    Oct 30, 2020
    85
    NBA 2K21 is a good, but severely flawed game. Once those flaws get fixed though, there won't be a better basketball game on the market.
    Read full review
  3. GameCritics
    Oct 9, 2020
    70
    In short, NBA 2K21 is a solid entry for the franchise, and is arguably the smoothest on-court performer of this console generation. However, its value will largely depend on how tolerant users are of a corny, repetitive story mode and mostly the same options as in previous editions. According to most of the web, 2K Games is building the next-gen versions of NBA 2K21 from the ground up to match the improved technology. Here’s to hoping they upgrade more than the graphics, while keeping the on-court play intact.
    Read full review
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