It’s been some 25 years since the NBA 2K series first kicked off, and perhaps none of us could have imagined how it would go. From humble beginnings, it’s not the premier basketball franchise on the planet, extremely lifelike, fully detailed. Today the latest iteration comes to town and it’s now time to take to the courts in NBA 2K24. There are a host of different options to take too.
Available across Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC and Nintendo Switch, NBA 2K24 is 2K latest attempt at replicating the excitement of the basketball court, virtually. Building on NBA 2K23? Damn right.
Kobe is king
And as you may expect from a game that is quarter of the century in the making, this one doesn’t just focus on the present. It also spends time considering the past and future too. The brilliance of Kobe Bryant for one.
You should know what ti expect with NBA 2K24 on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and PC, it’s basketball, innit. But what that means is that 2K are bringing in the usual MyCAREER and MyTEAM processes, as well as allowing players to spend time with The W. And building on that base game is important, with stickers and slogans slapped around – ProPLAY, MAMBA MOMENTS, City.
“NBA 2K24 is a special entry for us because we get to celebrate one of basketball’s greatest players of all time – Kobe Bryant – and the 25th anniversary of the series,” said Greg Thomas, President at Visual Concepts. “We’ve ushered in a new era of 2K, thanks to the groundbreaking ProPLAY technology delivering the most authentic and realistic NBA 2K gameplay to date. NBA 2K24 also introduces new updates to our beloved modes with incredible details that will delight gamers and basketball fans alike.”
Cross-play functionality is present for new-gen consoles – Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 – but from there, the feature list of NBA 2K24 is deeply rich.
UNPARALLELED REALISM
NBA 2K24 New Gen introduces ProPLAY, a groundbreaking new technology that directly translates actual NBA footage into NBA 2K24 gameplay. ProPLAY delivers animations and movements via on-court NBA action for a generational leap in authenticity on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
GAME RECOGNIZES GAME
New gameplay innovations in NBA 2K24 deliver an elevated basketball experience for all. Experience next-level gameplay and lifelike visuals as players compete with their favorite NBA and WNBA teams. Showcase your deep arsenal of moves with revamped interior defense and dribble combo controls for more rewarding skill-based actions and effectiveness. Enjoy pure, authentic action with up-to-date rosters and historic teams bringing players even closer to the game like never before.
MAMBA MOMENTS
In the all-new mode, players can recreate some of Kobe’s most dominant and captivating performances during his rise to global superstardom. Revisit his early career triumphs as a young phenom, and progress through his transcendent journey from elite scorer to one of the greatest players of all time.
HOOP IN PARADISE
Explore the brand-new City on New Gen as you flex your skills with non-stop hoops. Take in the vibrant and sun-soaked beachfront views during the day and explore the electrifying and vivid atmosphere as night falls. Step up your game with your MyPLAYER in a new picturesque Neighborhood (for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC) filled with streamlined quests as they rise to the top. Players can take control of their legacy in MyCAREER and ascend from a generational talent to a Hall of Famer as they chase greatness and championships along the way.
MANAGE YOUR MyTEAM
MyTEAM is back with foundational changes delivering one of the most all-encompassing card-collecting modes in the industry. Draw from the past and present using today’s All-Stars and all-time legends to form a squad capable of dominating single player and multiplayer modes. MyTEAM features a collection of innovative improvements, including an all-new salary cap mode, while maintaining its signature competitive feel.
PURSUE GREATNESS WITH THE W
Pick your path in NBA 2K24 and become one of the greatest players The W has ever seen. New Gen players on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles will be able to take on their rivals in the all-new “Pursuit of Greatness” feature and climb the ranks with the GOAT meter that tracks in-game performance. Compete in 3v3 street games, complete challenges, and unlock exciting rewards on the way to becoming a legend on the court.
MyNBA
New to MyNBA will be the LeBron era, beginning in 2011. Players can guide their team against, or even with LeBron and take their franchise to the next level against some of the all-time greats. Also coming to NBA 2K24 is MyNBA Lite, a casual, easier to navigate version of the main mode aimed at players who just want to make a few moves and get on with the action.
Which version of NBA 2K24 should you buy?
So how do you get involved? Well NBA 2K24 comes in various flavours. There’s the Standard Edition of the game for £69.99, complemented by the Black Mamba Edition for £89.99 – that adds a ton of extra bits and bobs, with boosts galore.
For many though it’ll be the limited time only NBA 2K24 25th Anniversary Edition which will excite. It comes at a cost – £129.99 from the Xbox Store – but adds to the Black Mamba Edition with a 12-month NBA League Pass Subscription. We’re not sure about you, but if we’re playing NBA, we may as well watch NBA. You’ve got until September 10th to pick up this one. Is it the best version of NBA 2K24? Probably.
Prices are correct at time of writing for the Xbox edition of the game. Expecxt similar on PlayStation, PC and Nintendo Switch.
Our full review of NBA 2K24 is on the way.
NBA 2K24 on Xbox Game Description
Grab your squad and experience the past, present, and future of hoops culture in NBA 2K24. Enjoy pure, authentic action and limitless personalized MyPLAYER options in MyCAREER. Collect an impressive array of legends and build your perfect lineup in MyTEAM. Relive your favorite eras as a GM or Commissioner in MyNBA. Experience next-level gameplay and lifelike visuals with your favorite NBA and WNBA teams in PLAY NOW.