But wait, there is more! If you’re willing to wait for next-gen hardware, you can buy the basic edition of NBA 2K21 for $ 69.99 – not $ 59.99 – on PS5 and Xbox Series X. Finally, you can get a version of the Mamba Forever Edition, which is primarily intended for PS5 and Xbox Series X owners, which comes with a special Kobe Bryant cover and access to the standard edition on PS4 or Xbox One. The bottom line, therefore, is that you’ll need to spend at least $ 100 to play NBA 2K21 on two different generations of consoles. The announcement also suggests that the industry could be moving towards a standard price of $ 70 for ‘triple A’ games on next-generation hardware.
Games, at least, will allow you to carry most of your progression in the game. NBA 2K21 It will ship with a feature called MyTEAM Cross-Progression that allows your MyTEAM points, tokens, cards, and progress to move between consoles built by the same manufacturer. Additionally, there will be a shared VC wallet that keeps your virtual cash in sync.
The decision is sure to irritate some fans. EA was criticized, for example, when it offered a free upgrade option for Madden NFL 21 which expired on March 31, 2021, shortly after the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X were supposed to launch. The reaction was so severe that EA quietly extended the offer until the launch of the next installment in the series.
The NBA 2K franchise is known for mixing generally excellent gameplay with frustrating microtransactions. The publisher’s decision to forgo a free cross-generation update, therefore, is not surprising. Still, it’s another example of how inconsistently developers and publishers are handling the problem. Crystal Dynamics, by comparison, has confirmed that the PS4 and Xbox One version of Marvel avengers will include a free console update. In summary, there is no single policy that applies to the PS5 or Xbox Series X ecosystem, which means that consumers will have to research and understand what the situation is with each of their favorite franchises.
