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. Radpandabear
    Apr 10, 2023
    8
    I have fond memories of this one. It was the first one that I started a Myteam in and that game mode is pay to win, but a blast for those who like to grind. My second most played 2k game.
  2. beepboop2774
    Aug 31, 2021
    0
    The gameplay on MyCareer was so frustratingly bad that it legitimately made me
    1. make an account on this website to express how bad it is
    2. hate basketball
  3. 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.
  4. 2ksucksbuns
    Jun 26, 2021
    0
    DO NOT BUY THIS GAME !!! This is the worst one of them all , they just put it together and called it a game from the shot meter to having no cut scenes at all just down right the worst game from the 2k franchise
  5. Nba2ksucks
    Jun 3, 2021
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is trash I cannot hit any shots with a 75+ three pointer people make so many whites you can’t get contest when you need them curry slides are annoying you can’t stop the lobs the screens hit to hard vc is too expensive 2k is overall not a fun game the game is recycled from the previous 2k the jumpshot meter sucks no new hairstyles 2k fails to make there game better and I think that it will never be a good game ever again seeing how scripted and broken this game is example there is a badge glitch that requires you to do absolutely nothing and you will be able to do it people use scripts that makes you green every shot 2ks coding is garbage the rec matchmaking is horrible 2k sucks and people are favored to win never will be a fun game… Expand
  6. 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.
  7. jakandjoe
    Apr 22, 2021
    5
    the game is okay the only part i like about 2k is the pack opening and my first pack i got a good card so i like the game lol. but really its the same as any other 2k.
  8. 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.
  9. 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
  10. Ecoboosted
    Mar 30, 2021
    0
    Absolute garbage. At this point 2k has nothing to do with basketball. This is entirely a vehicle for social media and streamers, and micro-transactions. The game is virtually unchanged for years now, updated rosters and slight graphics improvements, coupled with slight changes to controls to mask the fact you're playing the same obsolete game. (Should note beforehand that I know you canAbsolute garbage. At this point 2k has nothing to do with basketball. This is entirely a vehicle for social media and streamers, and micro-transactions. The game is virtually unchanged for years now, updated rosters and slight graphics improvements, coupled with slight changes to controls to mask the fact you're playing the same obsolete game. (Should note beforehand that I know you can adjust sliders, but without hundreds of hours for experementation with how different sliders interact with each other and how they relate to actual in game adjustments it is pointless to even bother with sliders, not to mention a massive headache for a $100 game...)

    Anyways, Myleague has no redeeming qualities.

    The trade and free agent AI makes zero sense. Free agent pool is full of guys wanting tens of millions of dollars who sign for the min in real life. Trade valuations vary wildly, for seemingly no reason. The other teams will only offer garbage for your stars+draft picks, and teams AI doesn't understand roster construction or fatigue. Myleague gameplay is equally awful. The games are scripted to give certain experiences. The game wants you to endure periods of not being able to make a shot while your opponent can't miss, they force you to go down big just to see if you can make it back. There are only a half a dozen or so "experiences", and once you pick up on it, you can't "unsee it" and ruins the game. Beyond the scripted, arcade gameplay, the actual gameplay is really bad. Unless you press buttons (for the players you aren't controlling!) They won't do basic things, like rebound or steal balls that pass through their bodies (watch the replays, it's absurd). Want your center to get an easy outback? Too bad, of you don't time pressing X while your shot is till in the air, it's not going to happen. Moving on to the controls, one can't help but wonder why the same control stick would be used for dribble moves and shooting. It's a terrible design that makes gameplay clunky and boring unless you are a "programer", also known as deadbeat who lives in parents basement pretending they are "professionals". Because there is no rythmm or flow to the game, it's just bad button combos. They turned it from a basketball simulator into an arcade game for their "prosports league" While it's understandable the graphics will be worse on lastgen consoles, steph curry has blonde hair. It's ridiculous. The lastgen version of the game is so disregarded they didn't even bother to update the "start in off-season option". It even had the 2019 dates in the menus until the latest patch. Try starting a game in the off-season. Notice the draft order and schedule are last year's, not this year's. Pretty shameless. Not sure why I expected better. MLB2k12 was the last good game 2k made.    … Expand
  11. 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.
  12. Nathan_Arrais
    Mar 23, 2021
    0
    horrible shooting bar, awful AI and they killed the mid range game, the game only consist on 3pt and layups, worst 2k of all time.
  13. antoniomit
    Mar 14, 2021
    0
    Terrible, matchmaking 70 vs 99, vaya mierda de juego. Es un casino royale, si pagas todo bien
  14. DontShootTyrone
    Feb 9, 2021
    0
    terrible game. the mechanics make no sense, wide open threes have maybe a 10% chance of going in but heavily contested layups wont miss and say wide open everytime. cpu controlled players on defense are completely oblivious that they are playing in a basketball game and nobody makes an attempt to get open on offense unless you run a play (they wont get open either way). basically copy andterrible game. the mechanics make no sense, wide open threes have maybe a 10% chance of going in but heavily contested layups wont miss and say wide open everytime. cpu controlled players on defense are completely oblivious that they are playing in a basketball game and nobody makes an attempt to get open on offense unless you run a play (they wont get open either way). basically copy and paste of 2k20 but somehow worse. cant see myself ever playing this game again or buying a new version.… Expand
  15. 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
  16. Chilario
    Jan 22, 2021
    0
    Absolute garbage, Impossible to score consistently, shot meter sucks, no rookie more is stupid, CPU is ridiculous. Worst money I ever spent.
  17. MikeG102
    Jan 13, 2021
    0
    Unless you are prepared to spend an additional $60 on Virtual Currency to even be able to hold the ball in myCareer / the Neighborhood, do not buy this game. I remember having so much fun in 2k games when I was younger, it’s really sad to see the developers greed with microtransactions ruin a game like this. -5 out of 10
  18. FadedInMN
    Dec 15, 2020
    7
    Average year of 2k again... For me the problem with last years game was the dribbling, this year now the shooting is broken and don't even get me started with the constant lag online. Still a decent play though.
  19. ElSeano89
    Dec 3, 2020
    7
    For the purposes of the review I am reviewing solely MyTeam gameplay because, frankly, that is all that 2K devotes real time towards these days.

    You cannot really argue with 2k's on court product. Players move fluidly and respond very well to input. This is really the first year where if I have a fast guard with ball handling skills that it feels like that is a potent advantage against    For the purposes of the review I am reviewing solely MyTeam gameplay because, frankly, that is all that 2K devotes real time towards these days.

    You cannot really argue with 2k's on court product. Players move fluidly and respond very well to input. This is really the first year where if I have a fast guard with ball handling skills that it feels like that is a potent advantage against the CPU. The graphics have peaked for this era, the presentation is slick and the announcing is vibrant and well recorded. The rosters are endless and deep as are the options for customizing them. Players feel noticeably different from one another. The gameplay side of things are solid. 2k is king of its arena and has no competition in its genre. They put out minimally improved games because they know people will buy it. It works for them however and that is both what is perversely admirable about 2k's ethics as a developer and a detriment to the game itself.

    MyTeam has 2k pose you with the age old question of any game with microtransactions tied into in game progession: How much is your time worth? You could play MyTeam with absolutely zero investment besides buying the game. You earn tokens to buy the same packs people pay for. You are usually given anywhere upwards of 7 or 8 packs a week through special "Locker Codes" they send out. But to get anywhere near what a paying player CAN get would take a phenomenal amount of time and gameplay. An often heard brag online is that some are "NMS" or No Money Spent. But to see what goes into acquiring that boggles the mind. It will come down to do you have 40 or 50 hours available to grind and get a singular player that is very good...or do you want to spend perhaps another 20 bucks and POSSIBLY multiple even better cards? What is your time worth?

    Because honestly, the actual "MyTeam experience" is actually pretty cool. You get elated when you pack a good player and there are constantly updated challenges and plenty to do in the mode. You get to play with a wide variety of different historical and modern players, you can evolve certain players by hitting certain goals with them. The carrot you are chasing is definitely appealing.

    But truthfully unless you want to spend a very long time playing this game (and I play every day but certainly not to the degree people must do to claim the top prize each season) you are gonna have to spend money and even then you aren't guaranteed result.

    This is my biggest gripe with 2k on MyTeam. It's a great idea but they're simply too greedy. To earn the currency required to pull a single pack that gleans 5 items you'd have to play around eleven 20 minute games. Then you pull the pack and you could get absolutely nothing of worth. You could get a duplicate. If they even halved the time to get a pack this would sky rocket in my estimation but they don't because they're greedy and they know that eventually you will probably give in and spend money. I have. Nothing I couldn't afford but I needed to have the self control and step back and actually consider what I was getting for my money. It was a gamble with no real pay-off, even if I won. 2k wins no matter what. They already got your money, you get something intangible as a potential reward.

    The whole thing is geared to encourage frustation. A 20 minute game won't take 20 minutes because there are replays that take maybe 5 seconds to skip, timeouts the CPU calls that take
    maybe another 15 seconds. Even with good players you need to go in expecting something frustrating to happen; an average player being unstoppable. offensive rebounds never going you way, loose balls after blocks always magically going to the CPU. You may as well check your phone whilst they shoot free throws because they're going in 9.5 times out of ten. You need to take a breath and expect the game to stack the deck unfairly against you in some way each game. That is because the whole experience is geared towards raising your frustration to where you spend money.

    But even if you pack the most valuable cards they release newer and more powerful ones so often that the market saturates and then your "valuable card" isn't even a virtual commodity. It becomes this bizarre arms race that culminates every year in unbeatable "galaxy opal" cards with 99 ratings in everything that are relevant for maybe a month before the new 2k comes out and they're worthless.

    But that is the rush of it I suppose. It is really and as is being legally proven in some countries gambling with no age restriction. You could and sadly I imagine that people have spent untold amounts of money here with only the argument that you can't put a price on having fun. I agree you can't but the fact remains that whilst a fun game at its core, the microtransactions and the grind bring it down. It will never change, it makes them too much money and thats sad really because there is potential for brilliance here if they decided to make only slightly less    … Expand
  20. TitusH
    Nov 11, 2020
    0
    Absolute waste of money. The creators of this game simply copy and paste each year with small adjustments, but miraculously manage to make it WORSE each year! It sucks, the online gameplay especially sucks! Do not waste your money on this dumpster fire
  21. jaapoor
    Oct 21, 2020
    0
    Worthless game, adding in ads a month after release so the initial reviews won't be impacted is so insanely scummy that I can't even comprehend who thought this would go over well. 2K is banned for life in my collection.
  22. neohpgfra
    Oct 21, 2020
    0
    No pay no game, no ads no game. 2kgames lies to their customers. That's enough ! Take2 become one of the worst editor in the world like activision or ubisoft. Players open your eyes, don't buy this game !
  23. 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
  24. madethisfor2k
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    Can you guys just sell me an ad reel for $60, sorry $70 now for no justified reason, it's not like you updated anything with this game? Or I'm sorry it's actually $100 for the Mamba Forever edition, you know the one that profits off the passing of a hero for an unjustified price. Oh, and if you want the next-gen upgrade, you gotta shell out more to just buy the base game, because 2k wantsCan you guys just sell me an ad reel for $60, sorry $70 now for no justified reason, it's not like you updated anything with this game? Or I'm sorry it's actually $100 for the Mamba Forever edition, you know the one that profits off the passing of a hero for an unjustified price. Oh, and if you want the next-gen upgrade, you gotta shell out more to just buy the base game, because 2k wants us to but the game 2x. Please do not get me started on the slot machine mechanics in @k either, you guys are just as bad as EA and it's disgusting. Ads only belong in free to play games. Period. Of all game publishers, you guys overcharge for minimal changes between releases, when let's face it you just have an annual roster update, and you gauge us with microtransactions that other publishers include in the base game and now you put unskippable ads in a month after release!!!! DO YOU THINK WE ARE STUPID?! Never buying a 2k game again from these greedy bastards. **** you, 2k, you don't deserve the NBA ip and steal money from children.… Expand
  25. GODSPEED7
    Oct 19, 2020
    0
    ADS IN A GAME YOU PAID FULL PRICE, SNEAKED-IN A MONTH LATER.

    2K IS BLACKLISTED AND I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GAME OF THEM!
  26. TigerAE
    Oct 16, 2020
    0
    2k has continued to go down hill. This year is no different. I understand the whole next gen stuff, but then release the game with next gen, not just a roster update on current gen. Shot meter was also terrible. You are not catering to only the hardcore gamers and even some of those had issues. The My Career mode is once again terrible. Lots of plot holes and very short. I'd rather you2k has continued to go down hill. This year is no different. I understand the whole next gen stuff, but then release the game with next gen, not just a roster update on current gen. Shot meter was also terrible. You are not catering to only the hardcore gamers and even some of those had issues. The My Career mode is once again terrible. Lots of plot holes and very short. I'd rather you spend the money on developing a longer mode with a full storyline, like FIFA did with The Journey, instead of paying money for cameos from real actors. I will no longer be purchasing this game going forward. Just. Not worth my time.

    Just a waste of your money and then the micro transactions want at least double what you paid for the game. Without it, everything becomes an extremely slow grind. My GM used to be fun, now you need to buy everything with VCs. My Career should not be tied to MyPark otherwise you are once again limited by how much VCs you buy. Not worth my time anymore.    … Expand
  27. CRedfield
    Oct 15, 2020
    9
    still the best Basketball Game...2K20 was great and this one improves slightly...no major changes needed.

    I believe we will see the next step on the new consoles.

    Until then...just love the game.
  28. ToXTeR
    Oct 11, 2020
    0
    Microtransaction, copypast. Microtransaction, copypast. Microtransaction, copypast.
  29. 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.
  30. 2kisslavery
    Oct 5, 2020
    0
    They make it impossible on purpose the patch it to be easier no matter your skill. They want to frustrate you not let you have fun.
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Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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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