Alongside a blog that dives into the changes coming in NBA 2K21, 2K Games revealed that a demo will be dropping on 24th August for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.
There’s you’re typical array of tweaks and modifications to the core gameplay, with an overhaul to the Pro Stick for new dribbling mechanics to come in, the shot meter has changed from a timing bar to a targeting system, there’s new shot types and signature defensive motion styles, and you’ll be able to make “oversized” point guards up to 6’8″, in honour of cover star Damian Lillard.
There’s plenty more to be talked about, with details of MyTEAM, MyCAREER and other current gen changes set to be detailed in the run up to release.
NBA 2K21 will be available for PS4 and Xbox One on September 4th, with the next-gen version to be available when the PS5 and Xbox Series X release.
If you were hoping 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 to the next gen then that hope is dashed. While Cyberpunk 2077 or with EA’s Madden 21 will have a free upgrade, NBA 2K21 will not. 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.
Source: press release, NBA 2K21
