Typically, the reveal of a sports games' cover star is a big deal. NBA 2K21 apparently liked the idea of revealing cover stars so much that it decided to have three of them. On the standard edition of the game, the Portland Trailblazers point guard Damian Lillard is the star. On the next-gen version of NBA 2K21, New Orleans Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson gets the prestige. But 2K has now confirmed a third edition of NBA 2K21, the Mamba Forever Edition, featuring the late Kobe Bryant.
The NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition is, naturally, a prestige edition of the upcoming basketball game. So while it's said to celebrate the life and achievements of Kobe Bryant, it's also a higher-priced copy of the game bundled with a variety of DLC and in-game currency. It's an option for both Kobe fans or for fans of the NBA 2K annual series of games.
As for what's included in the Mamba Forever Edition of NBA 2K21, there are a variety of currencies. Most important is the 100,000 VC, which is NBA 2K21's main currency. After that, there are 10 MyTeam tokens and 40 MyTeam packs. These packs are given out at a rate of 10 per week for 4 weeks, with 10 also being made available at launch. Also included are sapphire versions of the Damian Lillard and Zion Williamson MyTeam cards, a sapphire Kobe Bryant that can be upgraded to ruby, as well as a variety of Kobe MyPlayer customizations.
The NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition also features two different covers, much like the standard versions of the game. The current-generation cover features art of Bryant in his early years, wearing the No. 8 jersey, while the next-gen console version of the game features Bryant in his later years, wearing the No. 24 jersey. Regardless of which platform it's bought for, the Mamba Forever Edition will retail for $99.99. That could change, of course.
2K has notably revealed that its next-gen versions of the standard NBA 2K21 game will cost $69.99 rather than $59.99. That could mean that the next-gen versions of the Mamba Forever Edition could be increased in a similar fashion. For now, however, the price is the same. But players should also note that the game will not upgrade for free. While NBA 2K21 will likely be backward compatible on next-gen consoles, the next-gen versions of the game will require players to purchase those copies specifically.
NBA 2K players and sports game players are probably used to the complicated (and expensive) nature of each game's different versions and prices. Adding a memorial deluxe edition of NBA 2K21 featuring Kobe Bryant isn't likely to make the process any simpler.
NBA 2K21 releases September 4 on PC, PS4, Stadia, Switch, Xbox One and mobile devices, followed by PS5 and Xbox Series X as the consoles launch.