The NBA 2K series is routinely high on the charts for video game sales each year. The massively successful basketball sim is loved by millions, as it allows players the chance to live out their dreams of playing on an NBA team. NBA 2K21 is on the way for next-gen consoles, and it will likely come with new content and utilize the horsepower of the new machines for impressive gameplay. But the series would also be wise to peak into its previous iterations and borrow from some of the fan-favorite features and successful game modes of old.
NBA 2K 21 was revealed during the PS5 live stream recently, and the trailer showcased some remarkable visuals. It's clear that the new game will look amazing, but fans would also appreciate a fleshed-out game for next-gen.
It is true that many of the modes and features that have fallen to the wayside in NBA 2K most likely weren't specifically making any money for 2K, as even unskippable ads were placed inside of NBA 2k20 recently for added revenue for the developer and publisher. The bread and butter of the franchise, and the moneymaker, is now the My Career mode. However, for the sake of allowing players some creative gameplay freedom, adding some older modes would be great. Additionally, it would be possible for the developer to add some modes and features of old into My Career itself, thus continuing to make money through these new modes. Everyone can win.
Bring Back Full My Court Customization (Like The Crib)
NBA 2K6 had an awesome customizable loft called "The Crib," a place where players were able to customize music, buy and unlock mini-games (including air hockey and darts), and customize the apartment with framed jerseys, basketballs, pennants, and even snow globes.
In the current state, My Court allows for some customizing, but really it only has to do with the court itself. Players live in a penthouse within My Career, and they can have fun by changing the scoreboard or flooring of the basketball court inside the house. Most My Court customizations are unlocked through challenges and progression in NBA 2k20, but allowing players to expand on that would be wonderful. At the moment, most basketball games take place in the outdoor courts in My Career, but having a personally designed crib would be a reason to bring some battles inside.
NBA 2K20 load times are supposedly incredibly fast, so smooth and fast transitions between the penthouse My Crib, fun mini-games, and the standard MyCareer experience would ensure that players enjoy each feature. And adding cool stuff like foosball or an arcade basketball machine would be a fun and goofy time waster. 2K could even add some player progression to the mix, with players being rewarded with XP for collecting things for The Crib giving. Having it all inside of My Court would also ensure that players are staying within the mode that makes 2K the most money.
Park Affiliations
Keeping it within the My Career, Park Affiliations were a great addition to the game that need to return. Basically, the idea is that players can join different groups and gain rep, progress, and play in tournaments for that affiliation. Whole basketball courts were won for the various teams based on the outcomes of tournaments. As much as players love to be a star for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Park Affiliations gave more reason to care for the outcome of street basketball play, outside of simply leveling up a character.
It would be nice to see some growth to My Career for NBA 2K21, even having a city-like scope instead of a smaller playing space. Upgrading the My Career player and gaining rep for the affiliation at the same time is something that would give the game more significance. If players and affiliations owned different parts of the city based on performance, that would add to the rivalry and importance of each match.
Jordan Challenge/NBA's Greatest Mode
The Jordan Challenge mode was introduced in NBA 2K11, and the mode allowed players to relive the greatest moments of the Chicago Bulls legend. The following year, with NBA 2K12, the NBA Greatest mode was added. This was a continuation of the same idea, allowing players to replay the 15 greatest showdowns in the NBA's history.
A return of NBA's Greatest mode, expanded on and updated, would be excellent. Completing high-end challenges and goals to match the NBA legends and the epic teams of old is something that every kid pretends to do on a basketball court as a child, so attempting the same thing in-game feels natural. More recent big-time moments could even be added, like attempting to score 60 points for Kobe Bryant in his last game or coming back from 3-1 with Lebron James against the 73 win Warriors. One "Great Moment" that would be hilarious and intriguing will be whatever the NBA looks like during the playoffs and finals this season. It will be odd to see two teams going at it with no fans. It would be kind of cool for NBA 2k21 to live up that moment and have a finals game played without a crowd in an NBA stadium.
All-Star Weekend Expanded
Some of the best basketball games of all time have had awesome dunk contests, three-point contests, and more. Currently, All-Star weekend works the same way that an NBA finals would work within My Career. In the case of the NBA finals, if a player makes it through the playoffs they will be able to participate in the Finals. In the case of All-Star weekend, if a player performs well enough in My Career they can make it to the All-Star game. However, the mode deserves more.
All-Star Weekend is one of the best weekends in all of sports, as it certainly takes the prize of best All-Star event among the professional sports. The All-Star Game itself isn't the only reason it is so popular, however. The dunk contest, three-point contest, skills contest, celebrity game, and more are all events that fans enjoy. In NBA 2K, not all of these events are playable. Along with All-Star weekend needing to be expanded within My Career, it would be super cool for players to be able to play a separate All-Star Weekend mode with friends both online and off. Being able to compete in each mode, and seeing who comes out on top in a party game-like setting could be tons of fun.
Situations Mode
As a bit of a niche idea, Sitatutions Mode is one that allows players to set up specific game scenarios. For example, players could try to have it so that they are down by 12 at the start of the fourth quarter, or have it so that someone has the ball left with just 10 seconds left in the game, down by 2. Trying epic game-winning shots and pulling off heart-pounding comebacks by design was something unique and fun. It also worked as a pseudo-practice mode for players that wanted to get better in various situations. The mode deserves another chance.
NBA 2k20 was review bombed by fans online for different reasons but mainly because of microtransactions, so even with the popularity of the series, there is room for growth. NBA 2k21 has the chance to take advantage of next-gen tech, but it could also bring back beloved old features and modes that players would appreciate. The next-gen will assuredly be filled with new potential, but peaking back at older 2K games for inspiration would be wise.
NBA 2k21 is currently in development.