NBA 2K21 is built from the ground up to fully utilize the power, speed and technology of next-generation consoles and continues to deliver an industry-leading sports video game experience for the current generation of gaming platforms. For players who are interested in picking up current and next-gen versions of NBA 2K21, the NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition provides dual-access by providing buyers with a copy of the standard edition of the game on the other generation at no additional cost, within the same console family.

We’ve pulled together a list of commonly asked questions on NBA 2K21 and dual-access which explains how it works:

When will NBA 2K21 be available?

The current-gen version of NBA 2K21 is available now on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Stadia, and PC platforms.

The next-gen version of NBA 2K21 is available on November 10 for Xbox Series X|S globally and on November 12 for PlayStation 5*.

*PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S required to play the next-generation version of NBA 2K21. The PlayStation 5 console will be available on November 12 in the US, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, and November 19 in all other regions.

What is the difference between the current-gen version of NBA 2K21 and the next-gen version? Are they the same game?

NBA 2K21 is built from the ground up for next-gen and will feature new additions and improvements only possible on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S:

Next-Gen Advancements:

• Next-Gen Graphics, Next-Gen Realism - Experience the NBA game with an enhanced level of realism and immersion possible only on next-gen gaming platforms. The dynamic new Rail Cam presentation transports the player to the hardwood floors, providing a full view of the game and highlights the incredible visual fidelity of the players and arena.
• Lightning-Fast Load Times - By utilizing the built-in solid-state drives (SSDs) of the next-gen consoles, NBA 2K21 now features incredibly short load times that get players directly into the action.
• The Arena Comes to Life - Step into a living, breathing arena with the all-new Lower Bowl presentation. Experience the sights and sounds of the arena floor and crowds powered by more than 150 AI characters: on-camera interviews from reporters, interactions between fans, vendors going about their duties and much more.
• Smoother, Tougher, More Precise - Huge next-gen improvements across all aspects of gameplay blur the line between game and reality. Control the arc of your shot or the pace of your size-ups, execute step-back threes with new foot planting technology, twist and turn in mid-air with the new Impact Engine and more. Feel the game's collisions and new energy/fatigue system on the new DualSense™ controller for the PlayStation 5, made possible by its adaptive triggers and haptic feedback features.

Next-Gen Features and Modes:

• Welcome to the City - Leave the Neighborhood; enter the City. A map that is many, many times larger than previous Neighborhoods, a towering Event Center for all basketball activities and multiple districts and factions, the City invites you to live out a much-expanded, more seamless basketball life - possible only on next-gen gaming platforms.
• Introducing the W - Greatly expanding on the WNBA experience introduced last year, The W is the first-ever WNBA MyPLAYER experience for the NBA 2K Create your own fully customizable WNBA player and take her through a pro career featuring all 12 WNBA teams and the league’s brightest stars. Experience the thrill of competition and go head-to-head in The W Online, featuring intense 3v3 MyPLAYER competition set on a beautiful new court exclusive to the game mode.
• Your Own Basketball Journey - Take your MyCAREER destiny into your own hands with all-new player choices and dynamic career paths. Start your budding basketball career in high school, get the full four-year college ball experience in one of 10 authentic US universities or head to the NBA G League.
• Revamped League Management with MyNBA and MyWNBA - This is your NBA and WNBA, and this is your franchise mode, with an unprecedented amount of control over every aspect of the game. Expand your custom NBA league to 36 teams or reduce it 12, watch and control player growth through the boom/bust system and share your setups and scenarios with the community.
• Industry Leading In-Game Soundtrack - The largest and most definitive collection of music ever assembled in NBA 2K, with more than 350 tracks available to players throughout the life of the game.

How can I get both versions of the game?

Players who are interested in picking up both versions of NBA 2K21 on either PlayStation or Xbox can check out the Mamba Forever Edition, which provides dual-access by providing purchasers with a copy of the standard edition of NBA 2K21 on the other generation, within the same console family.

Will I be able to play the next-gen version of NBA 2K21 on Xbox Series S? What’s different between Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S?

Yes, the next-gen version of NBA 2K21 will be playable on both Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S next-gen consoles. The overall game experience will be the same across both platforms, while the Xbox Series X will take advantage of the additional power of the console and run at 4K/60 fps. NBA 2K21 will run at 1080p/60 fps on Xbox Series S. Overall, NBA 2K21 will be a visual showcase across all next-gen consoles.

If I purchase NBA 2K21 on Xbox Series X, do I need to repurchase the game if I play on Xbox Series S and vice versa?

No. All content and progress transfers seamlessly between Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.

Is there any cross-platform play or transfer between next-gen versions of NBA 2K21 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S?

No.

When do I get my next-gen version of NBA 2K21 when I buy the current-gen version of NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition?

When you purchase NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition for PlayStation 4 or Xbox One digitally, a digital copy of the next-gen version of NBA 2K21 will be added to the same PlayStation or Xbox account. It will be playable once NBA 2K21 has launched on the respective next-gen console later this year.

When you purchase NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition for PlayStation 4 or Xbox One physically, your next-gen copy of NBA 2K21 will be bundled in a code included in the box that contains all of the additional content from the Mamba Forever Edition. Once you redeem the content, a digital copy of the game will be added to the same PlayStation or Xbox account. It will be playable once NBA 2K21 has launched on the respective next-gen console later this year.

When do I get my current-gen version of NBA 2K21 when I buy the next-gen version of NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition?

When you purchase NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S digitally, a digital copy of the current-gen version of NBA 2K21 will be added to the same PlayStation or Xbox account. It will be playable on your respective PlayStation 4 or Xbox One console.

When you purchase NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X physically, your current-gen copy of NBA 2K21 will be bundled in a code included in the box that contains all of the additional content from the Mamba Forever Edition. Once you receive your physical copy, you can redeem the content and a digital copy of the current-gen game will be added to the same PlayStation or Xbox account.

If I buy NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition on current-gen, will I receive a total of 200,000 VC?

When purchasing the current-gen NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition, you'll receive 100,000 VC once you launch the game. When you receive and launch your next-gen copy of NBA 2K21, you'll get an additional 100,000 VC. If you do not launch NBA 2K21 on next-gen, you won’t receive the additional 100,000 VC.

Will I receive a total of 200,000 VC if I buy NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition on next-gen?

No, the additional 100,000 VC received when NBA 2K21 launches on next-generation consoles is an added bonus for people who purchase the Mamba Forever Edition on current-generation consoles.

If I buy NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition for PlayStation 4, could I receive my next-gen version on Xbox Series X?

No, the additional copy will be provided on the same gaming platform that you purchased NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition on.

Is there any cross-progression between current and next-gen for NBA 2K21?

NBA 2K21 will feature MyTEAM Cross-Progression and a Shared VC Wallet within the same console family (PS4 to PS5, Xbox One to Xbox Series X|S). MyTEAM Cross-Progression enables all MyTEAM Points, Tokens, cards and progress to be shared on both current and next-generation versions of NBA 2K21 in the same console family; similarly, the Shared VC Wallet means any earned or purchased VC is accessible across both current and next-generation versions of NBA 2K21 in the same console family.

Will NBA 2K21 on PS4/Xbox One be backwards compatible and playable on next generation consoles?

Through backwards compatibility, your current-gen version of NBA 2K21 for PS4 or Xbox One will be playable on next-generation consoles (in the same family of consoles).

The next-gen version of NBA 2K21 is only playable on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, as it takes full advantage of the power, speed and technology of the next-gen hardware and includes feature additions and improvements only possible on those consoles.

Will the next-gen version of NBA 2K21 be available on PC?

No, the next-gen version of NBA 2K21 is built from the ground up to utilize the power, speed and technology of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Will anything in MyCAREER/MyPLAYER transfer over?

No, your MyPLAYER Inventory and progress will not transfer, as the experience will be different for NBA 2K21 on next-generation consoles. We’ll have more to share later this year.