Just yesterday, publisher 2K revealed that this annual NBA installment will feature two different cover athletes. The decision was made to differentiate the current-generation version and the next-generation version for NBA 2K21. In that, 2K has chosen Damian Lillard for the current systems and Zion Williamson to pose for the new consoles arriving later this fall.
During the reveal, 2K shared that pre-order details for the coming entry will be shared the following day, today. And now with the details available to view, 2K and Visual Concepts shares that the specialized version of the game will be dedicated to the late Kobe Bryant. Dubbed the ‘Mamba Forever Edition’, marking Bryant’s third time he was featured on the cover for the NBA 2K series.
However, when glancing over the pre-order specifications grid proved from 2K, it reveals that the next-generation version of the game will be more expensive than the iteration crafted for current-generation hardware.

Reading the image shares that the newer version of the game will offer more benefits to the game as you would expect. Additionally, it is stated that there are “new gameplay features” that are also unique to next0generation consoles, but it was not specified what exactly will be unique to the respected versions. “We’re combining all of our experience and development expertise to craft the best game possible and for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, we are building the game from the ground up to take full advantage of next-gen power and technology,” Visual Concepts President Greg Thomas spared on the newer versions of NBA 2K21.
Although there is still no word on cross-buy support for the game or even a proper gameplay trailer for NBA 2K21, 2K does share that cross-progression will be supported for MyPlayer between console generations. However, that can only be provided for transitions between the respected console families, so moving from Xbox to PlayStation or vice versa will not be available.
What version of NBA 2K21 are you planning on picking up?
NBA 2K21 will be available on September 3, 2020 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo and PC; PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions will ship at launch this holiday season.
Source: 2K