NBA 2K21

NBA 2K21 is officially landing on current generation consoles this September 4th, 2020. Of course, there will also be a next generation version coming this holiday season with the impending release of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Read on to find out how you can upgrade your copy when next generation consoles release later this year.

NBA 2K21

Fresh faces and a tribute to a legend

This year there will be three separate cover athletes gracing the release of NBA 2K21. First off we have the Standard Edition coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch this September. This version will feature none other than Portland Trailblazers’ superstar Damien Lillard. Lillard comes in with the pedigree of being a five-time NBA All-Star selection.

The Standard Edition will see a fresh face with its 2020 holiday release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X however. Next generation platforms will play host to Zion Williams of the New Orleans Pelicans on the cover. Williamson is an up-and-comer to watch, being the 2019 first overall pick as well as the consensus 2019 College Player of the Year.

Finally, the tragic events of this past January have made for a heart-breaking year in the basketball community. In honour of the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, 2K will rename the Legend Edition to the Black Mamba Forever Edition. Both the current and next generation versions will feature a unique Kobe Bryant cover, spanning both his number 8 and number 24 jerseys respectively.

2K sees the trio as encapsulating every era of the NBA. Lillard is a dominant current era player, while Williamson represents the next generation of superstars. And of course Kobe is one of the greatest to ever play the game.

NBA 2K21

The option to upgrade

Of course 2K realizes that many players won’t want to wait for new consoles to start their NBA 2K21 journey. That said, when next generation does roll around, some may wish to make the switch to the latest and greatest platform. Luckily there is an option to make this transition easier.

First off, players need not worry about losing any progress or in game currency when upgrading platforms. MyTEAM Cross-Progression and a Shared VC Wallet will ensure a seamless transition within the same console family (PlayStation to PlayStation, Xbox to Xbox).

Furthermore, players who pick up the Mamba Forever Edition for current generation consoles will receive the standard edition on next generation consoles at no additional cost. Again, this promotion only works within the same console family. PlayStation 4 owners will receive the upgrade for PlayStation 5. Similarly Xbox One owners will receive their upgrade for Xbox Series X.

NBA 2K21

The future of NBA 2K21

2K is promising a “monumental leap forward for the franchise” with NBA 2K21 this year. We look forward to getting a much closer look in the near future. For now though we will have to wait and see just how 2K delivers on its claim of “extensive improvements upon its best-in-class graphics and gameplay, competitive and community online features and deep, varied game modes, [and] one-of-a-kind immersion into all facets of NBA basketball and culture”.

In the meantime, NBA 2K21 is available right now for pre-order across all current and next generation consoles.

Get NBA 2K21 Standard Edition for PlayStation 4
Buy NBA 2K21 Standard Edition for Xbox One
Get NBA 2K21 Standard Edition for Nintendo Switch

Get NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition for PlayStation 4
Buy NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition for Xbox One
Get NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition Nintendo Switch

Get NBA 2K21 Standard Edition for PlayStation 5
Buy NBA 2K21 Standard Edition for Xbox Series X

Get NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition for PlayStation 5
Buy NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition for Xbox Series X

Play at Best Buy

Make sure to bookmark and visit the Best Buy Blog as well as our Play at Best Buy gaming hub frequently all summer long. Here we will have special offers, including pre-order links to new games, contests, and the latest news.

We also want Play at Best Buy to be an interactive event with you. So let us know what games, news and announcements you are excited about with your likes, comments, and shares!

Click here to see the full line of video game software available at Bestbuy.ca
Click here to see digital video game downloads offered at BestBuy.ca

Dave Neufeld
Dave is an avid gamer, a musician/songwriter/recording artist, and an ardent reader with a degree in the Classics but a love for comics too. When he's not gigging with the band or pulling books at his local comic shop, he can usually be found gaming on any platform, from consoles to PC to his self-built personal arcade cabinet.