NBA 2K21

The next-gen version of NBA 2K is a true step forward in both graphical prowess and inclusivity. An improved attitude towards micro-transactions also makes this the friendliest NBA 2K has been in a long time.

NBA 2K21 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S is a big step forward for the franchise and easily the best version of this year’s basketball franchise. There might be the feeling that features were shorn from the current gen release to give it more impact, but from the inclusivity of featuring the WNBA in MyPlayer, to the sprawling The City online hub and the stunning graphics and gameplay improvements, this will keep you and your new console happy well into 2022.

NBA 2K21 on next-gen delivers a fun and deep hoops package unlike anything else we’ve ever seen. It’s not just about enhanced visuals. There is more under the hood in almost every area. This isn’t a perfect game. There is room for improvement in multiple areas, but what it does excellently far outshines the smaller, and much-easier to absorb shortcomings. 2K has again set the standard on a new console, and everyone else is playing catch-up. The fact that this game was developed during a pandemic is inspiring.

NBA 2K21 Next Generation takes full advantage of next-gen hardware, improving graphics and physics but also adding more content and welcome new modes; playing at 4K 60fps with great graphics and truly alive arenas is a real joy. We just wish 2K would pull back a bit on their microtransactions push.

NBA 2K21 feels like a new game on the new consoles. From the graphics to the gameplay, all the way to the new city, it all feels next gen. It still shares the micro transaction greediness with the previous generation, but that aside, it keeps to deliver an excellent basketball game.

Visual Concepts has taken profit of PS5 and Xbox Series X-S in the most realistic sport simulator we have ever seen. It uses some things from the previous generation, but it also adds new features, such as improved graphics, The City and new modes for the WNBA. A new dynasty is coming.

Visual Concepts has made the jump to next-gen and has done so incredibly well for players jumping into NBA 2K21 for the first time, making it seamless for players since its initial launch to transfer to their progress to Xbox Series X|S. Aside from some created players needing a bit of an upgrade graphically, NBA 2K21 Next Generation is a solid sports title that fans will surely enjoy for the gameplay, its visuals and love of the game.

A worthy upgrade on the old gen version for both graphics and contents, but still relying too much on microtransactions.

Next-gen NBA 2K21 is the version of this game you should play. Renewed game systems, changes to many of its mechanics in depth. But while it improves on many of the things that already were in the game, many of its essential mechanics persist. Without being perfect, this is the game 2K21 fans deserve.

NBA 2K21 Next Generation on Xbox Series X is a great addition to an already packed amount of content. It’s visually more stunning than anything that has come before it, with a complete sheen to the gameplay and stunning work in how the players move and react. Everything is just topped off by some amazing work in the audio department.

There’s no doubting that NBA 2K21 on next-gen consoles is the most authentic representation of the sport yet. And even better, it’s got the most expansive and engrossing selection of modes and features. If you’re a basketball fan who’s lucky enough to own a next-gen console, you ought to consider NBA 2K21 a must-buy. The only drawback is that if you’ve already played it on your current-gen console, you won’t be able to carry forward any progress other than that made in MyTeam.

While I appreciate 2K not cutting out anything, I do wish they have toned down these aggressive portions of the game. Still, even with these issues NBA 2K21 on Xbox Series X is mighty impressive. The game is a graphical showpiece and the amount of content is undeniable. If you skipped the previous gen versions, this is the one to get. Those that bought the upgrade version are going to be pleased. This is the most impressive sports game launch on a next-gen console in years, and more than worth the price of admission.

The full-team on-court action plays the best it ever has, and the graphical leap is impressive to boot, but it still comes up short in some key areas.

Not only does NBA 2K21 Next Generation feature true to life visuals and insanely fast load times, but it also has new and improved game modes for you to check out that makes this the definitive version of NBA 2K21 without any question.

It should be no great shock that next-gen NBA 2K21 is the best-looking basketball game ever made. What's perhaps more surprising is that 2K has added two substantial modes (in the new WNBA career mode The W and the massively multiplayer The City) to make it the most feature-packed one ever too. Much of its content still has the weight of microtransactions hanging over it, but as long as you don't mind ignoring that and putting in the grind instead, this is a great purchase for NBA fans: especially if you held fire and haven't played 2K21 on Xbox One yet.

The edition for the new generation of consoles is much better than the old one, especially when it comes to graphics (spectacular!) and loading times (lightning fast). Sadly, despite many improvements, some of the game’s flaws remained unaddressed, which fortunately does not change the fact that NBA 2K21 is now simply enjoyable. Just be careful and don’t buy the old version by mistake! [01/2021, p.75]

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

NBA 2K21 sure has that "next-gen feel", but that's as far as it gets. There are updated, certainly not revolutionary, visuals, and some serious new content that puts last-gen versions -and it's pricing - to shame, but the first next-gen NBA 2K feels like a fastbreak that results in a casual layup, not a dunk.

A first glimpse of the future on new generation consoles: this is what this next-gen NBA 2K21 offers, with additional content, enhanced gameplay, even better graphics qualitative and a very convincing optimization, with finally non-existent loading times. But the room for progress and work is still important, with technical slag to erase, a lack of risk-taking at the career level for men but also for women. Projects which we can not wait to see the progress for the future. In the meantime, this opus, although being a big preview of the next-gen, does the job.

The next-generation version of NBA 2K21 slightly improves from its predecessors in some areas but is not the leap we were hoping to see the series make.