2K Games has announced some details about NBA 2K21 including the cover stars, the different editions, and the prices. First things first is the price of the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of the game with that set at an RRP £64.99. The current-gen version has an RRP of £59.99 though the game is usually found for less than that at most stores.
You would be forgiven for thinking that there would be some kind of free upgrade path through something like Xbox’s Smart Delivery, where there is no extra charge for upgrading Cyberpunk 2077, or with EA’s Madden where a free upgrade will be available until the release of Madden NFL 22. However, 2K is charging for the upgrade through the Mamba Forever edition of NBA 2K21 which will cost £84.99, and that will grant access to current-gen and next-gen versions of the game. While there is a cost to access both versions all progression will be shared across platform families, so you will not need to start again should start NBA 2K21 on PS4/Xbox One and then migrate to PS5/Xbox Series X.
The cover stars will be Damian Lillard for the PS4 and Xbox One versions, while Zion Williamson will be the cover star for the PS5 and Xbox Series X. The Mamba Forever will have Kobe Bryant who passed away in a helicopter crash earlier this year along with his daughter and seven others.
Alfie Brody, Vice President of Global Marketing at NBA 2K, said:
Starman
If they’re all going to start creeping up the prices more then it’s about time they lowered the digital prices and passed on the savings. £65 just looks greedy.
cam_manutd
For a sports game which is redundant after 9 months or so, £65 does seem a bit steep. Though to be fair the costs and labour involved in making games are increasing at an alarming rate. For as long as I can remember, games have been hovering around the £40-£50 mark ($60). So it’s the most obvious way to recoup profits against rising development costs.
If it’s the norm for games to be more expensive, I hope developers turn away from insidious tactics such as micro transactions and loot boxes in full priced games.
Nate
Lovely for them to honour and respect Kobe’s name and the family loss by using him to sell the premium version of the game.