As one of the premier sports video game franchises for over 15 years, NBA 2K developer Visual Concepts seems constantly challenged to top big changes every year, and NBA 2K25 isn’t much of an obligation now, two years into the release of its transformative history mode called MyNBA Eras and the return of the fan-favorite challenge series, which featured Michael Jordan in 2022 and Kobe Bryant last year.
So what will NBA 2K25 do in its encore? Visual Concepts promises that this year’s edition will focus more on core gameplay than ever before, enhancing the game’s WNBA career suite and bringing back the MyGM role-playing/management mode, which last appeared in NBA 2K21 four years ago.
With all that in mind, here’s everything we know so far about what’s coming in NBA 2K25, and all of the options players will have when it launches less than a month from now.
When is NBA 2K25 released?
NBA 2K25 is Released on September 6thPeople who have pre-ordered the game so far You can join the game from September 4thIf you’ve already pre-ordered the game, this offer applies to that purchase. This applies to online purchases and downloads of the game. Contact your retailer for details on early access for the disc-based edition.
How much does NBA 2K25 cost?
The standard edition of NBA 2K25 will be available for $69.99 on PlayStation 5, Windows PC (via Steam), Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The game is not yet available on the Nintendo eShop, but the Nintendo Switch version of NBA 2K24 is priced at $59.99, a price that is unlikely to change this year.
What platforms will NBA 2K25 be released on?
The ones mentioned above. Xbox Series X and PS5 will be the primary platforms for NBA 2K25but this year, Windows PC version It will be upgraded to the new-gen version and will add all the features available to Xbox Series X and PS5 players, including the ability to play in The City, My NBA Eras career mode, and the game’s WNBA mode, The W. The PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch versions have a more limited feature set.
When will the first NBA 2K25 trailer be released?
There have already been some reviews coming in. Here’s the official gameplay trailer, featuring cover star Jayson Tatum of the world champion Boston Celtics, along with a host of other superstars.
2K Sports has also released a few “Courtside Report” trailers that provide a closer look at NBA 2K25’s modes and components. Here they are, in order:
Gameplay
MyPlayer and MyCareer
MyGM and MyNBA
(This is a franchise mode that includes a time-traveling MyNBA era).
W
(WNBA Mode Suite)
What’s included in NBA 2K25?
The first announcement for NBA 2K25 was Core Gameplay RevisitedThis includes new physics that extend all the way down to dribbling the ball. This “all-new dribbling engine” was built from the ground up, developer Visual Concepts says, and moves the series away from scripted animation pulled from motion capture libraries — essentially rendering the core elements of ball handling in real time.
According to 2K Sports, the dribbling engine “translates ball movement into comprehensive, dynamic movements that match one-to-one with a real player’s dribbling. Stops are tighter, takeoffs are more explosive and runs down the court look and feel smoother.”
The game’s shooting has been tweaked again to allow players to enjoy a variety of authentic shot releases while accommodating different release timings for each player. One of these tools is a new setting called Shot Timing Profiles, which includes a “low risk reward” setting that favors players who get open and take smart shots, rather than punishing the basics with a demanding and fluctuating release window. For those who prefer a more decisive, skill-based shooter, a new down-up shooting motion is available on the right stick, inviting players to try and match the motion of players in the game.
In MyCareer, NBA 2K25’s player development system has been further revamped to offer MyCareer fans more unique hybrid player types while improving balance and still providing a challenge for players looking to maximize their player’s potential. The game’s Takeover and Badge systems also feature a dizzying array of new options. Check out Courtside Report for more details.
Of note for longtime Franchise mode fans is MyGM (essentially a front-office role-playing version of MyCareer). Returning in NBA 2K25There was a quiet hiatus leading up to the introduction of NBA 2K23 and NBA 2K24 and the development of the groundbreaking MyNBA Eras Franchise mode (which has also returned), giving virtual GMs even more role-playing options, including creating origin stories for their executives, which come with perks to help create a winning team.
and W will introduce a story mode Called “Pursuit of Greatness,” the game will be further hyped by the debut of real-life breakout talents Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. To further enhance the role-playing experience, WNBA superstars will answer questions in post-game press conferences. The answers will shape not only the trajectory of their careers, but “the entire league.” No pressure, superstars!
The W Online also introduces the first ever online multiplayer outdoor court (players created in The W will not have access to The City in MyCareer), where WNBA fans can dress up in casual attire and play small-scale 3v3 matches. The new court is set in a shady redwood forest that serves as a beautiful visual backdrop.
Will there be a special edition of NBA 2K25?
Of course. In addition to the standard edition, Fans can choose from:
The GameStop-exclusive WNBA edition is still priced at just $69.99, but comes with a disc and case depicting Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson hoisting the 2023 WNBA championship trophy.
The All-Star Edition costs $99.99 and comes with a ton of extra boosts and content for MyTeam and MyCareer modes, most importantly 100,000 virtual currency, which most players will use to boost their created players beyond the 65 overall rating that everyone starts with.
The $149.99 Hall of Fame Edition includes all of the content in the All-Star Edition, plus a one-year subscription to the NBA League Pass streaming service and the Season Pass, which adds even more unlocks and premium content to NBA 2K25’s season-based live service.
The Standard, All-Star and Hall of Fame editions will also add incentives in the form of extra VC and MyCareer and MyTeam content, a “limited-time trendsetter prize” for those who buy the game before October 17. All three editions will also have a PlayStation Store pre-order bonus that will add a modest amount of content and VC to those who buy the game before the launch date.
Featured image via 2K Sports
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