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Difference between revisions of "NBA 2K21"

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(56 intermediate revisions by 17 users not shown)
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{{stub}}
+
{{disambig|the Windows version|the Apple Arcade version|[[NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition]]}}
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
 
|cover        = NBA 2K21 cover.jpg
 
|cover        = NBA 2K21 cover.jpg
Line 10: Line 10:
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|September 4, 2020}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|September 4, 2020}}
 
|reception    =  
 
|reception    =  
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|nba-2k21|rating}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|nba-2k21|67}}
{{Infobox game/row/reception|OpenCritic|link|rating}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/reception|OpenCritic|9806/nba-2k21|68}}
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|nba-2k21|rating}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|nba-2k21|77}}
 
|taxonomy    =
 
|taxonomy    =
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | }}
+
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase, Ad-supported |ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://stevivor.com/news/nba-2k21-inserts-unskippable-ads-pre-game-loading-screens/|title=NBA 2K21 inserts unskippable ads into pre-game loading screens|date=2020-10-19}}</ref> }}
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
+
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | Currency, Infinite spend }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | }}
+
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | }}
+
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | Bird's-eye view }}
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | }}
+
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Direct control }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Sports }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Sports }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | Basketball }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | Basketball }}
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | }}
+
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | Realistic }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | North America }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | NBA 2K }}  
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | NBA 2K }}  
 
|steam appid  = 1225330
 
|steam appid  = 1225330
Line 28: Line 29:
 
|gogcom id    =  
 
|gogcom id    =  
 
|gogcom id side =  
 
|gogcom id side =  
|official site=  
+
|official site= https://nba.2k.com/
|hltb        =  
+
|hltb        = 82997
|igdb        = nba-2k21
+
|igdb        =  
|mobygames    =  
+
|mobygames    = nba-2k21
 
|strategywiki =  
 
|strategywiki =  
|wikipedia    =  
+
|wikipedia    = NBA_2K21
|winehq      =  
+
|winehq      = 20295
 
|license      = commercial
 
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
Line 43: Line 44:
 
|current state    =
 
|current state    =
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
'''Key points'''
 +
{{--}} Based on the PlayStation 4/Xbox One release.
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
Line 49: Line 53:
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
{{Availability/row| GamersGate | DD-NBA-2K21-ROW | Steam | {{store link|GamersGate|DD-NBA-2K21-MAMBA-FOREVER-EDITION-ROW|Mamba Forever Edition}} also available. | | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| Epic Games Store | nba-2k21  | unknown |  |  | Windows | unavailable }}
{{Availability/row| Gamesplanet | 4650-1 | Steam | {{store link|Gamesplanet|4650-2|Mamba Forever Edition}} also available. | | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| GamersGate | DD-NBA-2K21-ROW | Steam | {{store link|GamersGate|DD-NBA-2K21-MAMBA-FOREVER-EDITION-ROW|Mamba Forever Edition}} also available. | | Windows | unavailable }}
{{Availability/row| GMG | nba-2k21-pc | Steam | {{store link|GMG|nba-2k21-mamba-forever-edition-pc|Mamba Forever Edition}} also available. | | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| Gamesplanet | 4650-1 | Steam | {{store link|Gamesplanet|4650-2|Mamba Forever Edition}} also available. | | Windows | unavailable }}
{{Availability/row| Humble | nba-2k21 | Steam | {{store link|Humble|nba-2k21-mamba-forever-edition|Mamba Forever Edition}} also available. | | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| GMG | nba-2k21-pc | Steam | {{store link|GMG|nba-2k21-mamba-forever-edition-pc|Mamba Forever Edition}} also available. | | Windows | unavailable }}
{{Availability/row| Steam | 1225330 | Steam | Mamba Forever Edition also available. |  | Windows }}
+
{{Availability/row| Humble | nba-2k21 | Steam | {{store link|Humble|nba-2k21-mamba-forever-edition|Mamba Forever Edition}} also available. | | Windows | unavailable }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Steam | 1225330 | Steam | Mamba Forever Edition also available. |  | Windows | unavailable }}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Version differences===
 +
{{ii}} '''Mamba Forever Edition''' includes 100,000 virtual currency, 10,000 MyTEAM points, 10 MyTEAM tokens, 60 MyCAREER skill boosts, 30 Gatorade boosts, 40 MyTEAM promo packs (10 at launch, then 3 per week), Sapphire Damian Lillard and Zion Williamson MyTEAM cards, 5 pair MyCAREER shoe collection, MyPLAYER backpack, Kobe Bryant digital collection.
 +
 
 +
==Monetization==
 +
===Microtransactions===
 +
{{Microtransactions
 +
|boost              =
 +
|cosmetic            =
 +
|currency            = Packs of Virtual Currency are available to purchase with real money.
 +
|finite spend        =
 +
|infinite spend      = Virtual Currency can be bought with no limit.
 +
|free-to-grind      =
 +
|loot box            =
 +
|player trading      =
 +
|time-limited        =
 +
|unlock              =
 
}}
 
}}
{{ii}} All versions require {{DRM|Steam}}.
 
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{P|appdata}}\2K Sports\NBA 2K21\VideoSettings.cfg}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{P|appdata}}\2K Sports\NBA 2K21\}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
{{Game data/saves|Windows|}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{P|programdata}}\2K Sports\NBA 2K21\}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 
{{Save game cloud syncing
 
{{Save game cloud syncing
|discord               =  
+
|discord                   =  
|discord notes         =  
+
|discord notes             =  
|epic games store       =  
+
|epic games launcher       = unknown
|epic games store notes =  
+
|epic games launcher notes =  
|gog galaxy             =  
+
|gog galaxy               =  
|gog galaxy notes       =  
+
|gog galaxy notes         =  
|origin                 =  
+
|origin                   =  
|origin notes           =  
+
|origin notes             =  
|steam cloud           = true
+
|steam cloud               = true
|steam cloud notes     =  
+
|steam cloud notes         =  
|uplay                  =  
+
|ubisoft connect          =  
|uplay notes           =  
+
|ubisoft connect notes     =  
|xbox cloud             =  
+
|xbox cloud               =  
|xbox cloud notes       =  
+
|xbox cloud notes         =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Video==
 
==Video==
 +
{{Image|nba2k21_video_settings.png|In-game video settings.}}
 +
{{Image|nba2k21_advanced_video_settings.png|In-game advanced video settings.}}
 
{{Video
 
{{Video
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|wsgf link                  =  
Line 98: Line 122:
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|ultrawidescreen            = true
 
|ultrawidescreen            = true
|ultrawidescreen notes      = {{Term|Hor+}} menus and gameplay, {{Term|Pillarboxed}} {{Term|FMV}}s.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SQqcipkjKg|title=NBA 2K21 - PC Ultra Quality (3440x1440)|date=2020-09-04}}</ref>
+
|ultrawidescreen notes      = {{Term|Hor+}} menus and gameplay, {{Term|pillarboxed}} {{Term|FMV}}s.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SQqcipkjKg|title=NBA 2K21 - PC Ultra Quality (3440x1440)|date=2020-09-04}}</ref>
 
|4k ultra hd                = true
 
|4k ultra hd                = true
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
 
|4k ultra hd notes          =  
|fov                        = unknown
+
|fov                        = true
|fov notes                  =  
+
|fov notes                  = Different camera angles, zoom and height levels can be set during the match.
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed notes            =  
 
|windowed notes            =  
 
|borderless windowed        = true
 
|borderless windowed        = true
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
|anisotropic                = unknown
+
|anisotropic                = true
|anisotropic notes          =  
+
|anisotropic notes          = Up to 16x.
|antialiasing              = unknown
+
|antialiasing              = true
|antialiasing notes        =  
+
|antialiasing notes        = Up to 8x [[MSAA]]. '''Anti-aliasing Quality''' controls the number of extra coverage samples (driver-dependent). [[TAA]] toggle. <br> [[SSAA]] can be enforced independently by editing {{code|VideoSettings.cfg}}.
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =  
 
|vsync                      = true
 
|vsync                      = true
|vsync notes                =  
+
|vsync notes                = On, Off, Half-rate, Dynamic. '''Dynamic''' enforces Half-rate Vsync during cutscenes.
 
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps                    = true
|60 fps notes              =  
+
|60 fps notes              = The game was designed for 60 Hz refresh rate.<ref>Developer notes found in {{P|appdata}}\2K Sports\NBA 2K21\{{code|VideoSettingsHelp.txt}}</ref>
 
|120 fps                    = true
 
|120 fps                    = true
|120 fps notes              =  
+
|120 fps notes              = Capped at 240 FPS.
|hdr                        = unknown
+
|hdr                        = false
 
|hdr notes                  =  
 
|hdr notes                  =  
|color blind                = unknown
+
|ray tracing                = false
 +
|ray tracing notes          =
 +
|color blind                = false
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
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==Input==
 
==Input==
 
{{Input
 
{{Input
|key remap                = unknown
+
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|key remap notes          =  
|acceleration option      = unknown
+
|acceleration option      = false
 
|acceleration option notes =  
 
|acceleration option notes =  
|mouse sensitivity        = unknown
+
|mouse sensitivity        = false
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
|mouse menu                = unknown
+
|mouse menu                = true
|mouse menu notes          =  
+
|mouse menu notes          = Certain actions cannot be performed with a mouse.
|invert mouse y-axis      = unknown
+
|invert mouse y-axis      = false
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|touchscreen              = unknown
 
|touchscreen              = unknown
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|full controller          = true
 
|full controller          = true
 
|full controller notes    =  
 
|full controller notes    =  
|controller remap          = unknown
+
|controller remap          = true
 
|controller remap notes    =  
 
|controller remap notes    =  
|controller sensitivity    = unknown
+
|controller sensitivity    = false
 
|controller sensitivity notes=  
 
|controller sensitivity notes=  
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
+
|invert controller y-axis  = limited
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
+
|invert controller y-axis notes= Can be done through key bindings and will only be inverted during gameplay.
|xinput controllers        = unknown
+
|xinput controllers        = true
|xinput controllers notes  =  
+
|xinput controllers notes  = <ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlRayes BRN|date=2020-09-04|comment=Tested the game with Microsoft's Xbox One controller connected through a USB cable}}</ref>
|xbox prompts              = unknown
+
|xbox prompts              = true
 
|xbox prompts notes        =  
 
|xbox prompts notes        =  
|impulse triggers          = unknown
+
|impulse triggers          = false
 
|impulse triggers notes    =  
 
|impulse triggers notes    =  
|dualshock 4              = unknown
+
|dualshock 4              = true
|dualshock 4 notes        =  
+
|dualshock 4 notes        = <ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlRayes BRN|date=2020-09-04|comment=Tested the game with Sony PlayStation DualShock 4 V2 controller connected through a USB cable}}</ref>
|dualshock prompts        = unknown
+
|dualshock prompts        = true
 
|dualshock prompts notes  =  
 
|dualshock prompts notes  =  
|light bar support        = unknown
+
|light bar support        = true
 
|light bar support notes  =  
 
|light bar support notes  =  
 
|dualshock 4 modes        = unknown
 
|dualshock 4 modes        = unknown
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|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 
|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 
|tracked motion prompts notes =  
 
|tracked motion prompts notes =  
|other controllers        = unknown
+
|other controllers        = true
 
|other controllers notes  =  
 
|other controllers notes  =  
 
|other button prompts      = unknown
 
|other button prompts      = unknown
 
|other button prompts notes=  
 
|other button prompts notes=  
|controller hotplug        = unknown
+
|controller hotplug        = true
|controller hotplug notes  =  
+
|controller hotplug notes  = <ref>{{Refcheck|user=AlRayes BRN|date=2020-09-04|comment=Tested the game by hot-plugging two different controllers}}</ref>
|haptic feedback          = unknown
+
|haptic feedback          = true
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
|simultaneous input        = unknown
+
|simultaneous input        = true
 
|simultaneous input notes  =  
 
|simultaneous input notes  =  
 
|steam input api          = unknown
 
|steam input api          = unknown
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|steam cursor detection notes =  
 
|steam cursor detection notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
 +
<gallery>
 +
nba2k21_keyboard_offense.png|Default key bindings - offense.
 +
nba2k21_keyboard_offense_off-ball.png|Default key bindings - off-ball offense.
 +
nba2k21_keyboard_defense.png|Default key bindings - defense.
 +
nba2k21_keyboard_defense_off-ball.png|Default key bindings - off-ball defense.
 +
nba2k21_controller_offense.png|Default controller layout - offense.
 +
nba2k21_controller_offense_off-ball.png|Default controller layout - off-ball offense.
 +
nba2k21_controller_defense.png|Default controller layout - defense.
 +
nba2k21_controller_defense_off-ball.png|Default controller layout - off-ball defense.
 +
</gallery>
  
 
==Audio==
 
==Audio==
 +
{{Image|nba2k21_audio_settings.png|In-game audio settings.}}
 
{{Audio
 
{{Audio
|separate volume          = unknown
+
|separate volume          = true
|separate volume notes    =  
+
|separate volume notes    = Commentary, PA, Sound Effects, Crowd, Player Chatter, Menu Music.
 
|surround sound          = unknown
 
|surround sound          = unknown
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|surround sound notes    =  
|subtitles                = unknown
+
|subtitles                = true
 
|subtitles notes          =  
 
|subtitles notes          =  
|closed captions          = unknown
+
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
|mute on focus lost      = unknown
+
|mute on focus lost      = always on
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support              =  
|eax support notes        =  
+
|eax support notes         =
 +
|royalty free audio       = unknown
 +
|royalty free audio notes  =  
 
|red book cd audio        =  
 
|red book cd audio        =  
 
|red book cd audio notes  =  
 
|red book cd audio notes  =  
Line 218: Line 260:
 
  |language  = Simplified Chinese
 
  |language  = Simplified Chinese
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
  |audio    = false
+
  |audio    = true
 
  |subtitles = false
 
  |subtitles = false
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
Line 227: Line 269:
 
  |language  = Traditional Chinese
 
  |language  = Traditional Chinese
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
  |audio    = false
+
  |audio    = true
 
  |subtitles = false
 
  |subtitles = false
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
Line 292: Line 334:
 
{{Network/Multiplayer
 
{{Network/Multiplayer
 
|local play          = true
 
|local play          = true
|local play players  =  
+
|local play players  = 4
|local play modes    =  
+
|local play modes    = Versus, Co-op
 
|local play notes    =  
 
|local play notes    =  
|lan play            = unknown
+
|lan play            = false
 
|lan play players    =  
 
|lan play players    =  
 
|lan play modes      =  
 
|lan play modes      =  
 
|lan play notes      =  
 
|lan play notes      =  
|online play          = true
+
|online play          = false
|online play players  =  
+
|online play players  = 10
|online play modes    =  
+
|online play modes    = Versus, Co-op
|online play notes    =  
+
|online play notes    = The official multiplayer service was shut down on December 31, 2022.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://support.2k.com/hc/en-us/articles/9120102362003-NBA-2K21-SERVER-SHUTDOWN|title=NBA 2K21 SERVER SHUTDOWN - 2K Support|date=2022-11-12}}</ref>
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
}}{{Network/Connections
 
}}{{Network/Connections
|matchmaking        =  
+
|matchmaking        = true
 
|matchmaking notes  =  
 
|matchmaking notes  =  
 
|p2p                =  
 
|p2p                =  
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|dedicated          =  
 
|dedicated          =  
 
|dedicated notes    =  
 
|dedicated notes    =  
|self-hosting      =  
+
|self-hosting      = true
 
|self-hosting notes =  
 
|self-hosting notes =  
 
|direct ip          =  
 
|direct ip          =  
Line 320: Line 362:
 
|udp  =  
 
|udp  =  
 
|upnp =  
 
|upnp =  
 +
}}
 +
 +
==VR support==
 +
{{VR support
 +
|gg3d name                  =
 +
|native 3d gg3d award        =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision gg3d award =
 +
|tridef 3d gg3d award        =
 +
|iz3d gg3d award            =
 +
|native 3d                  =
 +
|native 3d notes            =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision            =
 +
|nvidia 3d vision notes      =
 +
|tridef 3d                  =
 +
|tridef 3d notes            =
 +
|iz3d                        =
 +
|iz3d notes                  =
 +
|vr only                    =
 +
|vorpx                      = hackable
 +
|vorpx modes                = G3D
 +
|vorpx notes                = User created game profile, see [https://www.vorpx.com/forums/topic/no-3d-in-nba-2k21/#post-204654 vorpx forum] profile introduction.
 +
|htc vive                    =
 +
|htc vive notes              =
 +
|oculus rift                =
 +
|oculus rift notes          =
 +
|osvr                        =
 +
|osvr notes                  =
 +
|windows mixed reality      =
 +
|windows mixed reality notes =
 +
|keyboard-mouse              =
 +
|keyboard-mouse notes        =
 +
|3rd space gaming vest      =
 +
|3rd space gaming vest notes =
 +
|novint falcon              =
 +
|novint falcon notes        =
 +
|trackir                    =
 +
|trackir notes              =
 +
|tobii eye tracking          =
 +
|tobii eye tracking notes    =
 +
|play area seated            =
 +
|play area seated notes      =
 +
|play area standing          =
 +
|play area standing notes    =
 +
|play area room-scale        =
 +
|play area room-scale notes  =
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 325: Line 412:
 
===API===
 
===API===
 
{{API
 
{{API
|direct3d versions      =  
+
|direct3d versions      = 11
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
Line 347: Line 434:
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
|windows 32-bit exe    = unknown
+
|windows 32-bit exe    = false
|windows 64-bit exe    = unknown
+
|windows 64-bit exe    = true
 +
|windows arm app        = unknown
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 
|windows exe notes      =  
 
|mac os x powerpc app  =  
 
|mac os x powerpc app  =  
 
|macos intel 32-bit app = unknown
 
|macos intel 32-bit app = unknown
 
|macos intel 64-bit app = unknown
 
|macos intel 64-bit app = unknown
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|linux powerpc app      =  
 
|linux powerpc app      =  
 
|linux 32-bit executable= unknown
 
|linux 32-bit executable= unknown
 
|linux 64-bit executable= unknown
 
|linux 64-bit executable= unknown
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 
|linux executable notes =  
 
|linux executable notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
Line 382: Line 472:
 
|OSfamily = Windows
 
|OSfamily = Windows
  
|minOS    =  
+
|minOS    = 7
|minCPU  =  
+
|minCPU  = Intel Core i3-2100 3.1 GHz
|minRAM  =  
+
|minCPU2  = AMD FX 4100 3.6 GHz
|minHD    =  
+
|minRAM  = 4 GB
|minGPU  =  
+
|minHD    = 110 GB
 +
|minGPU  = Nvidia GeForce GTS 450
 +
|minGPU2  = AMD Radeon HD 7770
 +
|minVRAM  = 1 GB
 +
|minDX    = 11
 +
|minaudio = DirectX 9.0x compatible
 +
|minother = CPU supporting SSE 4.2 and AVX.
  
|recOS    =  
+
|recOS    = 8.1, 10
|recCPU  =  
+
|recCPU  = Intel Core i5-4430 3 GHz
|recRAM  =  
+
|recCPU2  = AMD FX 8370 3.4 GHz
 +
|recRAM  = 8 GB
 
|recHD    =  
 
|recHD    =  
|recGPU  =  
+
|recGPU  = Nvidia GeForce GTX 770
 +
|recGPU2  = AMD Radeon R9 270
 +
|recVRAM  = 2 GB
 +
|recother = Dual-analog controller.
 
|notes    =  
 
|notes    =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
{{References}}
 
{{References}}

Latest revision as of 14:04, 18 September 2023

This page is for the Windows version. For the Apple Arcade version, see NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition.

NBA 2K21
NBA 2K21 cover
Developers
Visual Concepts
Publishers
2K Sports
Release dates
Windows September 4, 2020
Reception
Metacritic 67
OpenCritic 68
IGDB 77
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase, Ad-supported[1]
Microtransactions Currency, Infinite spend
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Bird's-eye view
Controls Direct control
Genres Sports
Sports Basketball
Art styles Realistic
Themes North America
Series NBA 2K
NBA 2K21 on HowLongToBeat
NBA 2K21 on IGDB
NBA 2K21 on MobyGames
NBA 2K21 on Wikipedia
NBA 2K9 2008
NBA 2K10 2009
NBA 2K11 2010
NBA 2K12 2011
NBA 2K13 2012
NBA 2K14 2013
NBA 2K15 2014
NBA 2K16 2015
NBA 2K17 2016
NBA 2KVR Experience 2016
NBA 2K18 2017
NBA 2K19 2018
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 2018
NBA 2K20 2019
NBA 2K21 2020
NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition 2021
NBA 2K22 2021
NBA 2K22 Arcade Edition 2021
NBA 2K23 2022
NBA 2K23 Arcade Edition 2022
NBA 2K24 2023

NBA 2K21 is a singleplayer and multiplayer bird's-eye view sports game in the NBA 2K series.

Key points

Based on the PlayStation 4/Xbox One release.

General information

Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Epic Games Store (unavailable)
DRM details are not known
Windows
GamersGate (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Mamba Forever Edition also available.
Windows
Gamesplanet logo.svg (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Mamba Forever Edition also available.
Windows
Green Man Gaming (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Mamba Forever Edition also available.
Windows
Humble Store (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Mamba Forever Edition also available.
Windows
Steam (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
Mamba Forever Edition also available.
Windows

Version differences

Mamba Forever Edition includes 100,000 virtual currency, 10,000 MyTEAM points, 10 MyTEAM tokens, 60 MyCAREER skill boosts, 30 Gatorade boosts, 40 MyTEAM promo packs (10 at launch, then 3 per week), Sapphire Damian Lillard and Zion Williamson MyTEAM cards, 5 pair MyCAREER shoe collection, MyPLAYER backpack, Kobe Bryant digital collection.

Monetization

Microtransactions

Type Notes
Currency Packs of Virtual Currency are available to purchase with real money.
Infinite spend Virtual Currency can be bought with no limit.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows %APPDATA%\2K Sports\NBA 2K21\
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/1225330/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %PROGRAMDATA%\2K Sports\NBA 2K21\[Note 2]
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/1225330/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Epic Games Launcher
Steam Cloud

Video

In-game video settings.
In-game video settings.
In-game advanced video settings.
In-game advanced video settings.

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
Hor+ menus and gameplay, pillarboxed FMVs.[2]
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Different camera angles, zoom and height levels can be set during the match.
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Up to 16x.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Up to 8x MSAA. Anti-aliasing Quality controls the number of extra coverage samples (driver-dependent). TAA toggle.
SSAA can be enforced independently by editing VideoSettings.cfg.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
On, Off, Half-rate, Dynamic. Dynamic enforces Half-rate Vsync during cutscenes.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
The game was designed for 60 Hz refresh rate.[3]
Capped at 240 FPS.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.
Ray tracing (RT)

Input

Audio

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Commentary, PA, Sound Effects, Crowd, Player Chatter, Menu Music.
Surround sound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Spanish

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
Local play
4 Versus, Co-op
LAN play
Online play
10 Versus, Co-op
The official multiplayer service was shut down on December 31, 2022.[7]

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
Self-hosting

VR support

3D modes State Notes
vorpX
G3D
User created game profile, see vorpx forum profile introduction.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 11
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

No middleware information; you can edit this page to add it.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 7
Processor (CPU) Intel Core i3-2100 3.1 GHz
AMD FX 4100 3.6 GHz
System memory (RAM) 4 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 110 GB
Video card (GPU) Nvidia GeForce GTS 450
AMD Radeon HD 7770
1 GB of VRAM
DirectX 11 compatible
Sound (audio device) DirectX 9.0x compatible
Other CPU supporting SSE 4.2 and AVX.
A 64-bit operating system is required.

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/1225330/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (1225330) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.
  2. When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

References

  1. NBA 2K21 inserts unskippable ads into pre-game loading screens - last accessed on 2020-10-19
  2. NBA 2K21 - PC Ultra Quality (3440x1440) - last accessed on 2020-09-04
  3. Developer notes found in %APPDATA%\2K Sports\NBA 2K21\VideoSettingsHelp.txt
  4. Verified by User:AlRayes BRN on 2020-09-04
    Tested the game with Microsoft's Xbox One controller connected through a USB cable
  5. Verified by User:AlRayes BRN on 2020-09-04
    Tested the game with Sony PlayStation DualShock 4 V2 controller connected through a USB cable
  6. Verified by User:AlRayes BRN on 2020-09-04
    Tested the game by hot-plugging two different controllers
  7. NBA 2K21 SERVER SHUTDOWN - 2K Support - last accessed on 2022-11-12