NBA 2K21 Reviews
NBA 2K21's current-gen version isn't necessarily the biggest step forward the series has taken, nor should it be expected to be. But what's there is still fun, even if it is more of the same. 2K's reliance on microtransactions still feels incredibly out of place, and the game still doesn't necessarily respect the player's time. If you're a fan of the series, chances are you're already playing the game. If you're on the fence, it may be worth waiting to see what the next-gen version offers.
Even though the core gameplay is solid, most game modes are riddled with micro-transactions that prioritizes grinding and monetization over enjoyment.
As it is, there are some strong components, but it doesn’t feel like a completely new game in as many aspects as usual.
NBA 2K21 entertains with a strong gameplay, but the new shooting system lacks precision and may feel frustrating.
Review in Italian | Read full review
It's hard to escape the feeling that the current-gen version of NBA 2K21 is merely a rushed appetizer before the next-gen main course. Yes, NBA 2K21 can still be a great time, but stagnant presentation, copy-and-pasted modes and features, and new mechanics that clearly weren't fully worked out combine to make the game feel like a half-hearted buzzer beater throwaway.
This is getting more and more frustrating with each new iteration. NBA 2K21 is not a bad basketball game. It’s robust. It’s realistic. It’s really fun if all you want is a quick match with a friend or the CPU. The problem is that very few additions were included when comparing this game to NBA 2K20, with its additional monetization practices getting even more absurd with each new iteration. When will enough be enough?
2K21 is another solid entry in the series that builds upon the great gameplay strides of the last few years. Visual Concepts has some fires to put out and hopefully that happens sooner rather than later so fans can get on to enjoying the grind.
A recycled mess that features the same bugs, financial exploits, and cheats that PC players have had to suffer through for years. MyTeam has seen some great innovations but they are completely overshadowed by NBA 2K21's shortcomings.
However way you enjoy NBA 2K, NBA 2K21 offers it all and still does it better than any basketball game in the market. Now we're just hoping the next-generation version doesn't skip a beat and we see some changes that truly feel like we're in a new generation.
Coronavirus has extended the previous season of the NBA and next-gen is very close, so the timing is not the best for this entry in the franchise, which is very continuist. However, it is still a great basketball game.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
NBA 2K21 does the bare minimum in most areas, but it still offers the best (and only) basketball gaming experience on the market today.
NBA 2K21 executes the fundamentals of basketball to perfection. Add to that a wonderful narrative in Long Shadow, and the package becomes even more appealing - even if MyCareer is linked to an online mode. These modes have a lot of potential, especially My Neighborhood, but some of the ideas still need a year or two of percolation before they're at their true potential.
Excellent gameplay and an impressive amount of pomp and spectacle continues to be let down by off the court problems
NBA 2K21 makes welcome improvements to its MyCareer and MyTeam modes, but the frustratingly inconsistent new shooting system and lack of changes elsewhere make it feel like it's lost its step over other sports games.
While the demo lowered my expectations, admittedly because of the copy and paste presentation, 2K21 is enough of a change from 2K20 to stand on it’s own.
With a solid new story mode, a greatly improved MyTeam mode and the same high quality of presentation that 2K now brings to the series on Switch, NBA 2K21 is now the new definitive basketball game on the system. The unwanted microtransaction ogre continues to loom over most of the package, ever encouraging you to fork out more cash to accelerate your progress, but as long as you're capable of ignoring this and have the patience to slowly improve your player and team organically, the results will be infinitely more satisfying.
It's a shame because once again, the port to Switch is impressive and the amount of things you can do is immense. So much of it just feels like last year's game as we wait for the previous NBA season to finish and next-gen to arrive. Maybe the updated rosters and new schedule for the next season coming down the pipeline will refresh NBA 2K21 on Switch, but maybe it's better to wait and see what that looks like.
Lacking fresh ideas, NBA 2K21 feels like it's just going through the motions and is a placeholder for its next-gen counterpart.
The most memorable things about NBA 2K21 that I’ll connect to it for many years to come are the Black Lives Matter t-shirts and the many tributes to Kobe Byrant. I guess I should thank Visual Concepts for at least remembering Kobe… and probably nothing else.
Perhaps largely thanks to coronavirus, NBA 2K21 is the least essential entry in the long-running sports series yet.