NBA 2K21

 Xbox Series X
User Score
4.5

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 51 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 51
  3. Negative: 26 out of 51
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  1. MichaelJordan23
    Jan 19, 2021
    0
    Worst NBA 2K I’ve ever played, right beside NBA 2K20. The physics are gone and no longer realistic. NBA 2K dropped off after NBA 2K18. It started dropping off with NBA 2K17 but it’s gotten significantly worse since then. I still go back and play NBA 2K11 and NBA 2K14 and those are amazing. Still the 2 greatest basketball games of all time. RIP realistic and non greedy basketball games.
  2. BluFlame
    Dec 20, 2020
    4
    A lot of potential but again they ruined it with the Microtransactions. The gameplay isn't bad but not good, with some tweaks here and there can give a very realistic immersion to the player. The city is just a lifeless, bad created and with very bad performance world. The servers are outdated from the Xbox 360 era and still no improvement. The AI still very bad. Defence and body contactsA lot of potential but again they ruined it with the Microtransactions. The gameplay isn't bad but not good, with some tweaks here and there can give a very realistic immersion to the player. The city is just a lifeless, bad created and with very bad performance world. The servers are outdated from the Xbox 360 era and still no improvement. The AI still very bad. Defence and body contacts under the paint non exist at all. Passes for one more year incredible bad… Expand
  3. chly_
    Nov 27, 2020
    0
    Terrible game riddled with meaningless microtransactions like every other 2k.
  4. uncharted4
    Nov 12, 2020
    10
    wow graphic is amazing, gameplay feel smooth, players movement is realistic with footplanting.. My Career is fun with the city to tour around.. WNBA is fun to play my league
  5. IdiotRavensFan
    Nov 13, 2020
    7
    It's a pretty good game. There are a few bugs and it's kind of obvious 2k copy pasted a lot of the game from previous gen to next gen.

    MYNBA - the mode I've played the most. The new improvements and playable g-league games are very nice MYCAREER - the storyline is identical to the previous gen 2k21 expect the option to play g-league games makes it a whole lot better. There is still    It's a pretty good game. There are a few bugs and it's kind of obvious 2k copy pasted a lot of the game from previous gen to next gen.

    MYNBA - the mode I've played the most. The new improvements and playable g-league games are very nice

    MYCAREER - the storyline is identical to the previous gen 2k21 expect the option to play g-league games makes it a whole lot better. There is still no CAL, which was a great feature in the older games.

    PARK/MYCITY - not bad, I like the idea of the city and THANK YOU 2K FOR BRINGING BACK AFFILIATIONS.

    MYTEAM - pretty much identical to previous gen 2k21

    THE WNBA STUFFS - I didn't really look into it too much but it seems to be a big improvement from before.

    GAMEPLAY - feels like a refined version of 2k21. It's a lot smoother than before but it needs work but I like it a lot better than previous gen.

    GRAPHICS - graphics look amazing on the Series X.

    Overall, it's a step forward and hopefully the game will start to be good again like how it was from 2k11-2k16.    … Expand
  6. Kobe8-24
    Nov 17, 2020
    9
    The graphics are AMAZING, this FEELS like the Next-Generation, The Association is back, 2ktv is better too, Mycareer is solid aside from boring story, The city, while it has some lag, is FIRE
  7. Lane595
    Dec 23, 2020
    8
    It definitely has a different feel to it, nothing is ridiculously broken in my player minus the 6'7 power forward/center builds. Its a lot more fun having creative freedom over your character. Cities huge but the skateboard helps get around. I dig the depth in the story mode. Theirs a few tweaks here and there for gameplay that will most likely be fixed but theirs definitely nothingIt definitely has a different feel to it, nothing is ridiculously broken in my player minus the 6'7 power forward/center builds. Its a lot more fun having creative freedom over your character. Cities huge but the skateboard helps get around. I dig the depth in the story mode. Theirs a few tweaks here and there for gameplay that will most likely be fixed but theirs definitely nothing absolutely wrong with the game. I like the changes and I like the direction its going.… Expand
  8. Deebus
    Jan 3, 2021
    9
    This next gen update for 2k21 is something special. For anyone who likes 2k but has fallen off in recent years due to the lack of innovation, this is it. A Great Leap Forward graphically and mechanically. The City is nothing special, but I thought the story was quite good, especially with the changes they’ve made in the next gen update. Worth it for any basketball sim fan.
  9. MinePlay512
    Nov 11, 2020
    9
    Overall Score: 9.5
    In my review with the Xbox One version, I am not happy that there's no create a legend mode. And new legend mode. Come on now. However, in the Xbox Series version, It's awesome, improved gameplay, the city is great, MyNBA is an W and other things that makes NBA 2K21 a very good game.
  10. YoungCritic007
    Nov 19, 2020
    9
    Like Softdrinktv said(go check out his youtube channel if u like sports reviews)this is the best 2k since NBA2k16. !7 had a terrible launch and they game never bounced back, the people that like NBA2k18 are on some cocaine,2k19 was close but no cigar, and 2k20 was very close but the MyTeam and parts of the my career held it back, but now I think we have a 2k game that finally lives up toLike Softdrinktv said(go check out his youtube channel if u like sports reviews)this is the best 2k since NBA2k16. !7 had a terrible launch and they game never bounced back, the people that like NBA2k18 are on some cocaine,2k19 was close but no cigar, and 2k20 was very close but the MyTeam and parts of the my career held it back, but now I think we have a 2k game that finally lives up to the hype. It does have it's issues u can't excuse the franchise mode being the best out of any sports series. Look at Maddens franchise mode, it booty butt garbage but 2k finally polished a game we knew was great all-along… Expand
  11. Kevion
    Dec 8, 2020
    10
    This game is a 84% best of xbox series x
    and zion williamson young cover.
  12. Kobe0824
    Dec 22, 2020
    9
    Lighting and graphics look great. 2k doesn’t a great job trying to add a few new things each year. Franchise and other modes could use some more depth to them. Fun game to play.
  13. kingnick365
    Mar 5, 2021
    0
    Was playing myCareer, finished a game and it froze. Tried to reboot the game and it said my myplayer file was corrupted. Tried to put in a help ticket and got no response.
  14. Frazierdabest
    Jan 6, 2021
    6
    El juego es una decepción total, animaciones rotas como el año pasado, la ciudad va con una lag tremendo, casi no hay gente para jugar online, muy díficil de farmear y si quieres conseguir algo decente vas a tener que grindear como un loco. El juego acaba siendo a ver quien tiene la carta más rota. La gente abusa jugando online con los triples.
  15. OKdrummer87
    Jun 1, 2021
    3
    Having played the 2k games all the way back since Dreamcast I have fond memories of both this and the football 2K games. But gone are those days and now are the microtransaction days. At every turn this games tries to get you to spend money and some of the mechanics are not even subtle about being gambling. There is a slot machine for peets sake! If I want to play online I am forced to buyHaving played the 2k games all the way back since Dreamcast I have fond memories of both this and the football 2K games. But gone are those days and now are the microtransaction days. At every turn this games tries to get you to spend money and some of the mechanics are not even subtle about being gambling. There is a slot machine for peets sake! If I want to play online I am forced to buy player packs or I cannot be competitive. But maybe I am just becoming an old gamer who thinks you should get the best things in games from putting in the time and effort. Yes the graphics look great and the game works that's why you get 3 points instead of 0.… Expand
  16. TonyFuse
    Jan 27, 2021
    1
    This game is horrific!!!! The movements of your player is clunky and slow. The shot meter is completely ridiculous. The timing changes with every shot, and whether you're using the button or the right stick, there is always a delay for the meter to even show up when you make your move to shoot. You're either an NBA star, or a rookie in the MyCareer part of the game, but you can't make aThis game is horrific!!!! The movements of your player is clunky and slow. The shot meter is completely ridiculous. The timing changes with every shot, and whether you're using the button or the right stick, there is always a delay for the meter to even show up when you make your move to shoot. You're either an NBA star, or a rookie in the MyCareer part of the game, but you can't make a layup or dribble, because you've only played basketball all your life, why would you know how to do those basic things. I would guess anyone writing a review over 5 for this game, is someone working for 2K writing a bogus review. This game is terrible.… Expand
  17. 1Greenbean
    Feb 13, 2021
    2
    It's still disappointing to be playing a sports game and not have your cpu teammates or My career player make simple layups! I'm playing on Hall of Fame with the Hornets and I went 1/9 in a game with my 94 character and when I passed the ball my teammates missed shots that the other team simply made. It's overwhelmingly disappointing when I'm playing with the Hornets and they can't getIt's still disappointing to be playing a sports game and not have your cpu teammates or My career player make simple layups! I'm playing on Hall of Fame with the Hornets and I went 1/9 in a game with my 94 character and when I passed the ball my teammates missed shots that the other team simply made. It's overwhelmingly disappointing when I'm playing with the Hornets and they can't get better as players!!! And to top it off I've only won 4 games out of 20... That's retarded Ronnie 2K… Expand
  18. CmPat
    Mar 9, 2021
    2
    Can’t play most modes without logging into the 2k servers and the 2k servers have constant issues. Having to try logging in for a half hour just to play a basketball game is pathetic and whoever is in charge of the 2k servers need to all be fired. Fun game when it can actually be played but too many issues. Don’t spend a dime on this game only download if you have the game pass and a tonCan’t play most modes without logging into the 2k servers and the 2k servers have constant issues. Having to try logging in for a half hour just to play a basketball game is pathetic and whoever is in charge of the 2k servers need to all be fired. Fun game when it can actually be played but too many issues. Don’t spend a dime on this game only download if you have the game pass and a ton of time on your hands to wait for loading issues.… Expand
  19. Djritchie
    May 28, 2021
    2
    Nba 2k has been apart of my life since I can't even remember. But the next gen game has been an absolute joke, it's turned into a 3 point game, most games are played by sf, pf and C online and all can shoot the three, giving the freedom for all positions has ruined the game. The badges was where you had the extra game but now any one can shoot deep 3s with 5 badges, it's a joke. I had toNba 2k has been apart of my life since I can't even remember. But the next gen game has been an absolute joke, it's turned into a 3 point game, most games are played by sf, pf and C online and all can shoot the three, giving the freedom for all positions has ruined the game. The badges was where you had the extra game but now any one can shoot deep 3s with 5 badges, it's a joke. I had to change from my usual centre build to a permitted defender. I'm sure the next one will be great but don't waste your time, play the 1st gen instead it's still awesome.… Expand
  20. Hdkjsjs
    Jun 19, 2021
    0
    Absolutely terrible, so many issues with the game, go play nba 2k11 or something because thats the last playable 2k
  21. S01idB1itzKR
    Sep 4, 2021
    2
    A lot of potentials, had features that felt great in theory but it did not execute to the real game.
    The game feels messy. The city is way too big, the gameplay feels really slow and sloppy. The dribbling is not ideal at all. It's just repeating the same dribble moves again until you get open. Defense is non-existent in this game. The defender that is playing perimeter defense keeps    A lot of potentials, had features that felt great in theory but it did not execute to the real game.
    The game feels messy. The city is way too big, the gameplay feels really slow and sloppy. The dribbling is not ideal at all. It's just repeating the same dribble moves again until you get open. Defense is non-existent in this game. The defender that is playing perimeter defense keeps sliding no matter what attributes, shot-blocking is absolutely impossible, and Interceptor is too overpowered. The badges are very unbalanced. For example, like the "Hot Shot" badge, this badge allows you to get the takeover (A huge bonus for the player's attributes and abilities for a limited time when you play well). Blinders, which absolutely gives no contest to defenders when they are contesting from the side. The game always comes out uncompleted. The lag and sloppy movements were extreme, it was really unplayable. They "say" they fix those in the patches later on, but the problem still exists. When the game came out, the moving fade 3s were too overpowered and they took a long time to fix the problem. They always fix it too late. The game just feels bad. The player builder is very unbalanced, (Like giving way more badges to a certain position) and everyone has exactly the same builds, heights, weights, attributes, and everything. The game is really bad.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2020
11
#11 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. CD-Action
    Jun 9, 2021
    75
    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]
  2. XboxAddict
    Dec 15, 2020
    86
    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.
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  3. TheXboxHub
    Dec 7, 2020
    80
    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.
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