NBA 2K21 Next-Gen Reviews
NBA 2K21 takes some great steps to bring the series into a new generation and impress on the court, but some parts of its game still need work
NBA 2K21 Next Generation is everything that 2K Sports had promised; the gameplay is refined and corrected compared to the version of PS4 and Xbox One, the WNBA is expanded in an incredible way and The City makes street basketball can be enjoyed like never before in the franchise. All this is accompanied by pristine performance and the visual component characteristic of the new generation of consoles.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
NBA 2K21 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S is a big step forward for the franchise and easily the best version of this year's basketball franchise. There might be the feeling that features were shorn from the current gen release to give it more impact, but from the inclusivity of featuring the WNBA in MyPlayer, to the sprawling The City online hub and the stunning graphics and gameplay improvements, this will keep you and your new console happy well into 2022.
Visual Concepts has taken profit of PS5 and Xbox Series X-S in the most realistic sport simulator we have ever seen. It uses some things from the previous generation, but it also adds new features, such as improved graphics, The City and new modes for the WNBA. A new dynasty is coming.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
NBA 2K21 on next-gen delivers a fun and deep hoops package unlike anything else we’ve ever seen. It’s not just about enhanced visuals. There is more under the hood in almost every area. This isn’t a perfect game. There is room for improvement in multiple areas, but what it does excellently far outshines the smaller, and much-easier to absorb shortcomings. 2K has again set the standard on a new console, and everyone else is playing catch-up. The fact that this game was developed during a pandemic is inspiring.
NBA 2K21 on PS5 offers a big improvement to gameplay, and whilst the inclusion of The W is great, The City needs more time to grow. Gameplay is superb when not in The City, and the combination of MyLeague and MyGM is a welcome change to a flagging mode.
Not only does NBA 2K21 Next Generation feature true to life visuals and insanely fast load times, but it also has new and improved game modes for you to check out that makes this the definitive version of NBA 2K21 without any question.
NBA 2K21 makes a solid debut on next-gen consoles, but may fall short of some fans' razzle dazzle expectations. The game looks impressive, if slightly uneven, and new animations make for silky-smooth on-court action, but a lack of unique, worthwhile content holds the overall package back. If you've been waiting for NBA 2K21 on PS5 and Xbox Series X, or bought the Mamba Forever Edition that comes with a free upgrade, this is certainly the best version to play. That said, if you don't have access to the upgrade (or a PS5 or XSX for that matter) you don't need to feel too bad about sticking to the G League this year.
NBA 2K21 is an impressive overhaul of an already excellent basketball simulation. There are times where it over-extends; The City, for example, is an awesome idea in principle, but its sheer scale can leave it feeling deserted. Still, while we have legitimate gripes with the game's implementation of VC, there's no denying that next-gen hooping feels fantastic. And with so many modes and features, as well as industry-leading presentation, there's no doubt that 2K Sports is starting this generation off strong.
NBA 2K21 nails the 3 when it comes to gameplay and performance, all but sending the PS4 version to the annals of history. However, game mode choices and lack of MyPlayer transfer keep the PS4 version relevant when it comes to time investment and previous playtime. With The City being more spread out and barriers put up between modes, NBA 2K21 on PS5 feels disconnected. Consider what your needs and wants are with this game before choosing which version to buy.
A first glimpse of the future on new generation consoles: this is what this next-gen NBA 2K21 offers, with additional content, enhanced gameplay, even better graphics qualitative and a very convincing optimization, with finally non-existent loading times. But the room for progress and work is still important, with technical slag to erase, a lack of risk-taking at the career level for men but also for women. Projects which we can not wait to see the progress for the future. In the meantime, this opus, although being a big preview of the next-gen, does the job.
Review in French | Read full review
A significant improvement in every respect.
NBA 2K21 on PS5 is a significant and stunning next-gen upgrade: this is the best title that fans deserve, and an absolutely great and genuine multiplayer experience.
Review in Italian | Read full review
NBA 2K21 next gen is a much better game than NBA 2K21 current gen. I instantly felt differences in almost every area I checked out. In saying this, there are still some areas of improvement needed. Some of the things were out of everyone's control due to the current pandemic around the world and a tight development schedule. Some areas of improvement definitely sit on the 2K team to correct, and some of them have been areas of concern for several years now. Let's hope that changes for the better are made to improve the next-gen experience for all.
Visual Concepts has maintained the core of how it wants its games to feel with bringing NBA 2K21 to the next generation.
Feel, play, and win like the NBA superstar you always dreamed you were!
NBA 2K21 on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S is definitely an improvement over its current gen partner, and, without a doubt, the best next gen sports upgrade out of them all. The gameplay is night and day, and The City, while it does have faults, fully shows off the power of next gen gaming in its scale to give gamers a completely new experience. There’s something for everybody in this game, and if they work to correct the issues it does have the future of NBA 2K is as bright as ever.
NBA 2K21 for nextgen consoles brings a nice visual boost and additional content. Some areas of the game are still slugish, though. And there are more microtransactions that you can handle.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Still, there’s no doubting that NBA 2K21 on next-gen consoles is the most authentic representation of the sport yet. And even better, it’s got the most expansive and engrossing selection of modes and features. If you’re a basketball fan who’s lucky enough to own a next-gen console, you ought to consider NBA 2K21 a must-buy. The only drawback is that if you’ve already played it on your current-gen console, you won’t be able to carry forward any progress other than that made in MyTeam.
Next-gen NBA 2K21 is the playable version of this game. Renew game systems, change many of its mechanics in depth. But while it improves on many of the things that already were, many of its essential mechanics persist. Without being perfect, this is the game 2K21 fans deserve.
Review in Spanish | Read full review