For WWE 2K22, in terms of units sold in the United States, it had the best first month of any title in the WWE 2K franchise (based on The NPD Group’s March 2022 data). Over 5.6 million hours of content has been viewed on Twitch while more than 140 million matches have been played in-game. NBA 2K22 was also a big winner for Visual Concepts, selling 10 million copies till date.

Net revenue for the fourth quarter hit $930 million, which is up by 11 percent, while net income was $111 million, down by 49 percent. Bookings for the quarter hit $846 million, an eight percent increase. Net revenue for the full year hit $3.51 billion, which is a four percent increase, while net income was at $418 million, dropping by 29 percent. However, the year’s net bookings were $3.4 billion, dropping by four percent, while recurrent consumer spending fell by six percent.

As for Q1 FY 2023, Take Two Interactive projected $700 to $750 million in net bookings. It expects Grand Theft Auto 5, GTA Online, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, Red Dead Redemption 2, Red Dead Online, NBA 2K22, WWE 2K22 and The Quarry to be the biggest contributors.

The PS5 dominated proceedings for hardware, being the best-selling console of the month in terms of both, revenue and units sold. This ends a 33-month streak that saw the Nintendo Switch leading the charts in terms of units sold, starting in December 2018, right up until August 2021. The PS5 is still the best-selling console of the year in dollar sales, while the Switch still leads in unit sales.

On the software side of things, it was a pretty eventful months, with a number of new releases seeing impressive debuts. Madden NFL 22 is still on No. 1, where it was last month. It is the fourth best-selling game of the twelve-month period ending September 2021, and the second highest-selling game of 2021. Beyond that, however, there’s plenty of new releases to speak about.

Tales of Arise, for instance, debuts at No. 4, and in the process, sets a new record for launch month dollar sales for the series. Bandai Namco has already confirmed that the RPG has gotten off to a solid start where sales are concerned, so this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Meanwhile, Life is Strange: True Colors at No. 10 does the same for its own series.

In the charts, we also have FIFA 22 (No. 2), NBA 2K22 (No. 3), Diablo 2: Resurrected (No. 5), Deathloop (No. 6), and Sonic Colors: Ultimate (No. 13). WarioWare: Get it Together! also comes in at No. 15, and sees the best launch for a WarioWare game since 2007’s Wii title, WarioWare: Smooth Moves.

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The most substantial mode changes from last year appear in MyCareer, which is not only revamped with its annual new story but completely redesigned in structure. The story this year involves your MyPlayer, uncreatively called “MP,” who isn’t a normal rising star in the basketball world. Instead, he’s a social media sensation with hundreds of thousands of followers who has only played organized basketball for a few years before deciding whether he wants to go to college or play in the G-League Ignite League. I chose the college path to ultimately play in the NCAA Tournament, where my 8^th seed UConn Huskies lost in the opening round, after which I decided to enter the NBA Draft. There is a good amount of variety even in these opening choices, as you can decide to go back to school or skip it entirely before getting drafted, and there’s a full-fledged story being told both before the draft and once you enter the NBA with some decent voice acting for the series and what feels like many more cutscenes than usual, including some interesting cameos.

"With 2K22, Visual Concepts has upped its game a bit more than in past years with a host of very noticeable improvements primed for the first native release for the next-gen consoles, even though it doesn’t hit on every attempt."

Unfortunately, the story in a lot of places feels even more contrived and unrealistic than usual. There’s a point soon after you’re drafted that you sign with an agency and your first decision is whether to complain about your playing time, which, though you can technically choose not to do, the game almost bullies you into doing. Keep in mind, my MP was drafted in the 2^nd round and was getting about 10 minutes a game out the gate, so you’d think he’d be ecstatic about his playing time for a 60-something overall. There are a few of these storylines that border on the absurd, and the story takes itself way too seriously to be self-aware about it, though it’s easy to ignore or look past if you’re just trying to play some basketball.

Where previous 2Ks have had their own independent Neighborhood modes where you can play pickup against other players and wander, 2K22 bakes a brand-new Neighborhood or City into MyCareer for past-gen and current-gen consoles, respectively. I played on Xbox Series X and experienced the City, which turns MyCareer into an effective open-world basketball game, where you can play just the critical path or run around focusing on non-basketball activities like music or fashion or playing pickup against other real players. I didn’t find too much enjoyment in the open world, which doesn’t capitalize on the strengths of what open worlds allow and instead causes a lot of tedious running or, bafflingly, skateboarding from point to point without much to do in the meantime if you don’t want to play a pickup game. There are some side quests that you can complete, but I never found much motivation or reward in doing so and ultimately ignored a lot of them. With that said, I’m interested to see how Visual Concepts can build on this idea in future installments, but for now I found myself ignoring a lot of the extracurriculars and wishing we were back in the linear structure of past games.

Gameplay on the court seems to have gotten a similar level of attention, and it pays off in most ways, as this is the smoothest, most fluid and dynamic gameplay 2K has ever had. Defending feels tighter and more precise to give better defenders more of an edge, though it’s still just as easy to accidentally press too hard to one side and create an open lane to the basket. On the offensive side of the ball, everything feels a touch quicker and more responsive. There is a noticeable number of new animations that make every stepback or dribble move feel somewhat different from the last and easily transition between each other. As usual, the shot meter has changed and this time is more dynamic to increase or decrease the size of the optimal release point depending on stamina, skill, and coverage. Also as usual is that it takes a while to get used to, especially since it feels less defined and harder to see where the optimal point is, but eventually I began to get the hang of it. A change I like less is the inclusion of timing for dunks and alley-oops, which caused me to miss more than my fair share of open shots. It feels like an unnecessary inclusion that makes a seemingly easy part of the game much more difficult and brings in a much smaller margin for error that gives a much higher risk for something that rarely happens in real life.

"While the integration of the City into MyCareer isn’t executed perfectly, I appreciate the innovation and the attempt to create something more exciting than a simple basketball story."

To correspond to the new consoles, the game’s presentation has gotten both an improvement and a bit of a facelift in some areas. Character models look as crisp and lifelike as ever, including both the real stars and the fictional ones in the story. Load times are significantly improved despite some framerate drops within loading screens, and it’s as painless as ever to navigate through menus, which have been revamped in a lot of areas to consolidate some game modes and make things look a little sleeker and streamlined. Other modes, though, are disappointingly unchanged from past years when compared to the huge revamping of MyCareer. There are Seasons again that affect the City or Neighborhood in MyCareer as well as MyTeam but are effectively the same idea as they were when introduced last year, though luckily it’s mostly free of microtransactions. MyTeam itself has a couple of upgrades, such as an online Draft capability, but is overall a very similar experience to previous years, and it’s disappointing that there’s no cross-save between console families and that the microtransactions are as prevalent as ever. And while the menu changes are enough to make other modes like Blacktop and MyNBA feel fresh for a bit, underneath the hood they’re the same experience as before with few changes to their formulas.

It’s probably better to think of NBA 2K22 as a revamp of the series rather than either a fully new experience or a simple roster update. The changes it does make to both its gameplay and MyCareer mode are substantial and offer at the very least some new and interesting ideas. While the integration of the City into MyCareer isn’t executed perfectly, I appreciate the innovation and the attempt to create something more exciting than a simple basketball story. And on the court, where it matters most, gameplay feels as smooth and satisfying as ever, even if I do miss the occasional breakaway dunk. 2K is still a world-class basketball sim that offers some of the best sports gameplay the industry has to offer, and while not everything new is on target, 2K22 brings out some new tricks that complement its best-in-class balling.

This game was reviewed on the Xbox Series X.

In second place is Tales of Arise, Bandai Namco’s recently released and acclaims action RPG. It has sold more than twice as much at launch as fellow Bandai Namco action RPG Scarlet Nexus did when it launched earlier this year. 58% of Tales of Arise’s sales came on the PS5, 28% on the PS4, 13% on Xbox Series X/S, and 1 on PC. 

There are a couple more new releases charting high in the top 10. NBA 2K22, for instance, comes in at No. 3, which has sold about half of what NBA 2K21 did at launch last year, though that may, of course, be offset by digital sales. 46% of its sales are on PS5, 27% on PS4, 13% on Xbox One, 10% on Xbox Series X/S, and 2% on the Nintendo Switch. 

Finally, there’s also Life is Strange: True Colors, which debuts in sixth place with 54% of its copies sold on PS5, 28% on PS4, and 18% on Xbox Series X/S.

You can check out the full top 10 for the week ending September 11 below.

As shared by @PowerGotNow on Twitter, on the PS5, NBA 2K22 requires a massive 109 GB (108.897 GB to be precise). Things on the PS4 are better, but only slightly so, with a download size of 99.137 GB (a little surprising, since the PS5’s compression has actually allowed its games to be smaller than their PS4 counterparts). Of course, things are pretty much the same on the Xbox side of things as well, with a download size of 116 GB on Xbox Series X/S and 84 GB on Xbox One.

If you plan on getting the game digitally and want to jump in the moment it unlocks, it’s probably best you begin pre-loading at the earliest.

NBA 2K22 is launching tomorrow, September 10, for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

NBA 2K22 is is 99.137 GB for PS4 (Current Gen) & 108.897 GB for PS5 (Next Gen). Playstation players will be able to download and pre-load the game 48 hours before. So now for NZ & Australian players and tonight at midnight EST for American players. pic.twitter.com/rK2Po1xt3s

— Power DF (@PowerGotNow) September 7, 2021

The City in the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions will be different from the other platforms, like last year’s game, and this trailer focuses exclusively on the next-gen consoles. The City this year will feature a new layout and architecture, new minigames like bicycle races, side activities like producing records, different vehicles to use like go karts, bicycles, and skateboards, various cosmetics such as name plates, animations, emotes, and more. There’s also a new building called Club 2K, where players can listen to new music added to the game with new seasons. Check out the trailer below.

NBA 2K22 is out on September 10 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

https://youtu.be/-KDasyD5m1g

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous

As the follow-up to Pathfinder: Kingmaker, Wrath of the Righteous promises much higher stakes as the player ventures to the Worldwound to fight off hordes of demons arriving through the rift. Along with leading an army to battle with new tactical options, there are 10 unique companions that will fight alongside you. This is on top of 25 classes, 12 races and tons of different abilities and customization options that the classic Pathfinder combat that fans know and love (this time with a turn-based option at launch). Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous releases on September 2^nd for PC.

WRC 10

Despite Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown being a year away, Nacon has WRC 10 releasing on September 2^nd worldwide (September 7^th for North America). Along with the Croatia Rally and Rally de Catalunya, the sequel will feature numerous historical cars like the Audi Quattro and Lancia Delta Group A to celebrate the World Rally Championship’s 50^th anniversary. Considering the jump in quality that last year’s iteration offered, it may be worth checking out WRC 10 when it releases for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4 and PS5 in the coming days.

F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch

Set in Torch City following the Machine Legion’s invasion several years ago, players control Rayton, a former soldier trying to rescue his friend. At his disposal are a mechanical Power Fist, Whip and Drill which can be used to pull off some crazy combos. With a grungy but beautiful aesthetic and tons of areas to explore, F.I.S.T.: Forged in Shadow Torch should be worth checking out for genre fans when it releases on September 7^th for PS4, PS5 and PC.

Sonic Colors: Ultimate

It’s not everyday that a good Sonic game gets a remastered re-release but 2010’s Sonic Colors is thankfully getting another opportunity to shine. The Ultimate version is out on September 7^th for Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC and PS4, and sees Sonic and Tails traveling to Doctor Eggman’s Incredible Interstellar Amusement Park to rescue the mysterious Wisps. Along with offering a mix of 2.5D side-scrolling and fast-paced 3D platforming, various mechanics like Boost and drifting are available. On top of this, Sonic can use eight different abilities from the Wisps, like drilling through the ground and transforming into a laser. In terms of improvements, expect a higher frame rate and resolution, the Jade Ghost Wisp, a re-recorded OST and Rival Rush for racing against Metal Sonic

The Artful Escape

First showcased in March 2017, The Artful Escape is finally nearing release after seeing numerous delays throughout the years. The musical platforming adventure sees one Francis Vendetti set to make his debut under the shadow of his legendary uncle and thus struggling to find his own identity. Thus does he embark on a psychedelic new journey through various musical landscapes, using his guitar to platform and battle foes. With a gorgeous art-style and sound-tracked effused with epic themes, The Artful Escape could end up being an underrated classic when it launches on September 9^th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC and iOS.

Life is Strange: True Colors

Life is Strange returns and this time, empathy is your superpower. It’s a little more complicated than that for True Colors’ protagonist Alex Chen who reunites with her brother Gabe in Haven Springs. The scenic beauty and spirit of the community is ultimately unsettled when Gabe passes away from an accident. With the ability to read people’s emotions as different colors, Alex goes about investigating his death. Life is Strange: True Colors is a full release instead of being broken into episodes and is out on September 10^th for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC and Google Stadia.

Lost in Random

Lost in Random appears, at first, to be an action adventure title with a Tim Burton-esque aesthetic, centering on Even as she explores the Kingdom of Random to save her sister Odd. However, everything in Random is determined by games and Even must take part in game board-style battles to prevail. She’ll have Dicey on hand to help though – attacking enemies will power its abilities and unleash unique cards, whether it’s explosives or barriers. Out on September 10^th, Lost in Random will be available for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC.

NBA 2K22

Another year, another NBA 2K title and while I’m personally not a fan of the series microtransaction-laden gameplay, there is quite a bit that’s new in NBA 2K22. Gameplay-wise, precision jump shots, blocking and more are being changed; MyNBA returns with its customizable features (only on Xbox Series X/S and PS5 though) while MyWBNA is being introduced; and MyCareer’s The City is even larger while Hidden Talents provides alternate ventures like fashion and hip-hop. PS4, Xbox One, Switch and PC players aren’t being swept aside entirely either thanks to the addition of the 2K Cruise, which offers unique Excursions and events in various locations. NBA 2K22 launches on September 10^th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch so we won’t have to wait long to see how much it improves.

Tales of Arise

The Tales series returns with its biggest, most epic title to date in Tales of Arise. The story sees the denizens of Rena subjugating Dahna, enslaving its people and exploiting their resources. As Alphen, a Dahnan man without any memories, players team up with Shionne of Rena and embark on a journey to free the oppressed. Along with meeting other party members and traveling the world, players will utilize new skills like Boost Strike and Counter Edge in the revamped combat system. Activities like fishing, farming and more are also available along with the return of skits. Tales of Arise releases on September 10^th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PC and PS5, and promises to be about as long as Tales of Berseria (which is a good thing).

Deathloop

Ever get that feeling of deja vu? For hitman Colt Vahn, it only felt like yesterday when he arrived on Blackreef to take out the Visionaries, a mysterious group harnessing the island’s technology to party eternally. It’s up to Colt to kill all of his targets before midnight, utilizing a mix of stealth, abilities and firearms before the loop resets. In the midst of all of this is agent Julianna, either controlled by AI or another player, who seeks to protect the loop (and mess with Colt as much as possible). With Arkane’s unique brand of sandbox gameplay and a rocking aesthetic, Deathloop promises to be a fun spin on the roguelite genre when it releases on September 14^th for PS5 and PC.

Aragami 2

Much like the original, stealth and shadow control are key in Lince Works’ Aragami 2. This time around though, players have more freedom and opportunities to sneak around the world, playing alone or in three-person squads in co-op. A variety of powers and abilities are available while combat has been improved to be more skill-focused (though it’s still inherently riskier than stealth). Extensive customization, improved visuals and a more effective story should make Aragami 2 a cut above its predecessor when it releases on September 17^th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC.

Kena: Bridge of Spirits

Numerous delays haven’t dulled the beauty of Ember Lab’s upcoming action adventure title and it’s finally releasing on September 21^st for PS4, PS5 and PC. Kena: Bridge of Spirits follows spirit guide Kena as she travels to a decrepit village and looks to ferry the spirits of its deceased to the afterlife. Along the way, Kena will meet small spirits called the Rot who will help solve puzzles and fight off enemies. With a soothing animated aesthetic and solid gameplay, Kena: Bridge of Spirits is looking very appealing.

Lake

Lake, an indie adventure from developer Gamious, looks to take players on a more grounded kind of escape when it releases on September 1^st. As Meredith Weiss, you venture to Providence Oaks in Oregon for two weeks, taking a sabbatical from your old software development job to deliver the mail. Talk to and hang out with the different residents, or simply stay at home to read; experience branching storylines and ultimately determine your path in life. If a chill adventure game sounds good to you, then Lake may be worth checking out when it comes to Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC.

Diablo 2: Resurrected

After the failure of Warcraft 3: Reforged (not to mention tons of controversy at Activision-Blizzard), Diablo 2 is next in line to be remastered. The visuals have been improved tremendously while still keeping true to the original’s aesthetic as players explore Sanctuary as one of seven classes to defeat the forces of evil. Support for 4K resolution, cross-progression and quality of life features like auto pick-up for gold and Shared Stash tabs make this a lot more inviting for today’s players but it’s still the classic action RPG that fans grew up with. Diablo 2: Resurrected releases on September 23^rd for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Sable

Another interesting title in the “chill adventure” genre is Shedworks’ Sable, which releases on September 23^rd for Xbox Series X/S and PC. Boasting gorgeous visuals, the story centers on Sable as she ventures out into the world to find a mask and complete her clan’s rite of passage. She’ll traverse dunes on her customizable hoverbike, investigate strange ruins and ultimately learn more about the mysterious world while forging her own path.

Death Stranding Director’s Cut

The journey of Sam and B.B. came to a relatively satisfying conclusion when Death Stranding released last year. However, the Director’s Cut – which launches on September 24^th for PS5 – proves that there’s still room for improvement. It adds numerous new tools, like a Buddy Bot that can carry Sam and thrusters for safe landings when jumping from high places; the new Fragile Circuit for races, complete with time trials and leaderboards; a new Firing Range with practice and Ranked Drills; replays for boss fights; and some new story content that promises more stealth-based action. This is in addition to new graphics modes like upscaled 4K/60 FPS and native 4K, support for the DualSense’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers and an option for PS4 players to upgrade to the Director’s Cut Digital Deluxe Edition on PS5 for just $10.

Lost Judgment

What defines justice? Former lawyer turned private detective Takayuki Yagami seeks to answer this while delving into a strange murder. Lost Judgment sees players venturing to Isezaki Ijincho to go undercover in a school and while there are activities like dancing, drone combat and boxing, themes of bullying and abuse also come to light. Overall, the sequel improves on pretty much every aspect of the original, adding a new combat Style, parkour for platforming, more in-depth stealth mechanics, better chase sequences and much more. It arrives on September 24^th for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and Xbox One.

New World

Even with so many delays over the years – including a recent one from August to September – enthusiasm for Amazon’s New World is still strong. The MMO takes a somewhat different direction from its competition, focusing on the interactions between the three factions on Aeternum Island. Though the island has its own unique mysteries and PvE content, players will spend time creating settlements, battling those from other factions and establishing their own foothold. It’s out on September 28^th for PC with a beta on September 9^th but whether it can maintain its momentum after launch remains to be seen.

Hot Wheels Unleashed

Milestone’s Hot Wheels Unleashed may not be the most realistic-looking racer but it is looking to be the best possible Hot Wheels title ever made. With over 60 cars, from real-world vehicles to fantasy offerings like the Batmobile and Knight Rider, it offers a variety of twisting, turning tracks set in real-world environments. Players can also partake in the track builder and create their own unique courses, or go on online to challenge players (though offline split-screen is also available). Hot Wheels Unleashed arrives on September 27^th for Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Xuan Yuan Sword 7

Released last October for PC, Xuan Yuan Sword 7 is coming to PS4 in September and offers hack and slash RPG action with the backdrop of Chinese mythology as Taishi Zao battles monsters and  seeks to unravel the mystery behind a strange bamboo slip. Along with creating unique techniques, players can improve their armor and weapons while leveraging the fast-paced combat to dominate foes. As a somewhat off-beat option, it may be worth checking out when it releases on September 31^st.

This year’s edition offers some new modes, like MyWNBA, while expanding on features like The City. MyCareer Mode is also spruced up with the likes of Hidden Talents for pursuing alternate career paths like hip-hop and fashion, and customizing one’s own home. Unfortunately, these are both exclusive to the Xbox Series X/S and PS5 versions of the game.

Previous-gen and PC players will get access to the 2K Cruise though, which ferries players to different locations and offers different events. NBA 2K22 is out on September 10th for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. Like last year’s iteration, it will retail for $70 on current gen platforms.

Three new activities for the off-day and three new modes are also being introduced to further immerse players in the WNBA experience. These include Scrimmages for practicing with teammates in shorter games to build chemistry along with earning and upgrading badges. Contact workouts are useful for new skills and you can also challenge starts like Candace Parker, A’ja Wilson and Nneka Ogwumike in 1v1, 2v2 or 3v3 games.

As for online features, “The W” now allows for playing online with friends as a team and earning season XP from games. Leveling up bestows new prizes, like two new historic contacts from the Houston Comets and New York Liberty (which are playable in contact workouts) and much more. NBA 2K22 is out on September 10th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch. Stay tuned for more details en route to launch.

Cover Stars

Some big stars adorn the various editions of NBA 2K22. The first is Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, a two time NBA All-Star who’s present on the Standard Edition’s cover. There’s also the 75^th Anniversary Edition illustrated by artist Charly Palmer and features three big icons – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Durant – who have influenced the sport over its 75 year history. Finally, six-time All-Star and two-time MVP Candace Parker of the Chicago Sky will be the first female cover athlete, decorating the WNBA 25^th Anniversary Special Edition, which can be purchased at GameSpot and EB Games. It’s only available in the US and Canada but represents some much-needed recognition for the league.

Gameplay Changes

With a new NBA 2K title comes gameplay changes, both big and small. This year’s edition is leaning into precision jump shots, dunking in traffic and the new signature moves and combos being more skill-based. On the defensive side, shot contest and blocking are being revamped, allowing defenders to have an even greater impact on the game. Last year saw some controversial changes to the Shot Meter so it should be interesting to see how the gameplay is shaken up further.

MyNBA and MyWBNA

In NBA 2K21, Visual Concepts consolidated MyGM and MyLEAGUE into MyNBA on Xbox Series X/S and PS5. The main difference is that while you could still control an NBA franchise and make decisions like trades, drafting and so on throughout a season, certain features like Conversations, Skills, Tasks, Morale and Chemistry, and Scoring could be toggled on or off. This allowed for a much more customizable experience for, say, those who liked having Skills and Tasks but didn’t want to do a lot of reading. MyNBA will be returning along with the introduction of MyWBNA and while the various changes and features of both have yet to be detailed, team management is still key. Unfortunately, it’s still exclusively for current-gen versions of the game. Sorry, Xbox One, PC and PS4 players.

MyCareer – Hidden Talents

MyCareer will once again be the place for creating a custom character and working one’s way up the ladder into superstardom. The Neighborhood became The City last year and that will be making a return (more information on that shortly) but one of the more interesting new features is Hidden Talents. Available exclusively for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, this provides players with other ventures on the side like careers in hip-hop and fashion, each providing their own returns. Of course, one can expect a traditional narrative as well, which PS4, Xbox One, Switch and PC players can experience.

MyCareer – No Place Like Home

Another new feature exclusive to current-gen players in MyCareer mode is No Place Like Home. Described as “central” to the narrative and progress of one’s career, it will evolve based on your journey. Again, how this will work remains to be seen but it serves as a nice way to showcase one’s hard work and milestones throughout.

The City

As for The City, it’s seeing several new features for Xbox Series X/S and PS5 players. Along with a new layout filled with NPCs and MyPLAYERs, there’s a new quest system that provides rewards and XP for leveling up. Matchmaking has also been added, allowing you to enter select facilities in The City and start playing against others in a variety of game modes with progress going towards the MyPLAYER profile. More details are yet to be revealed but thankfully, previous-gen and PC players won’t be left out to dry this year.

2K Cruise

While Xbox Series X/S and PS5 players get The City, those on Xbox One, PS4, PC and Nintendo Switch get the 2K Cruise. It’s essentially the Neighborhood but on a cruise ship with basketball courts that travels through various exotic locations. Players can also make Excursions to the shore and partake in events off of the ship. The benefits of The City may prove superior but at the end of the day, previous-gen players do get a boat out of the deal.

MyTEAM: Draft Returns

A returning feature for players on all platforms is MyTEAM: Draft, once again allowing you to choose from a pool of players that keeps updating over time and create a line-up to play in online matches. MyTEAM Collection rewards can also be earned in the process.

Seasons

But that’s not all – MyTEAM will also be expanded on throughout the year with Seasons. Each Season will bring new challenges, events and rewards to earn for MyTEAM. Additional modes can also be expected with a new original one set to debut this holiday season. Though 2K Games and Visual Concepts haven’t confirmed the start date for the first season, it will likely be sometime around the game’s launch, if not on the same day.

Pre-Order Bonuses, Standard and 75th Anniversary Editions

Three different editions means a multitude of cover athletes but those wise to the franchise’s antics will know that it also means different bonuses. First up are the bonuses that everyone receives on pre-ordering. These include 5,000 Virtual Currency or VC; 5,000 MyTEAM Points; 10 MyTEAM Promo Packs which are doled out once per week; boosts for each Gatorade Boost and MyCAREER Skill type; a MyPLAYER jersey for Luka Doncic; a MyTEAM Free Agent Card for Doncic rated at 95; and for those who pre-order through the PlayStation Store, two more MyTEAM Promo Packs. The Standard Edition will cost $60 on PS4, PC, Switch and Xbox One and $70 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

The 75^th Anniversary Edition costs $100 for Xbox Series X/S and PS5 (and includes Xbox One and PS4 versions respectively). Its bonuses include 100,000 VC; 10,000 MyTEAM Points; 10 MyTEAM Tokens; Sapphire MyTEAM Cards for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Durant; 22 MyTEAM Promo Packs with 10 doled out at launch and 3 each week for the next four weeks; a Diamond Jordan Shoe MyTEAM Card; a Coach Card pack for MyTEAM; ten boosts to all of the MyCAREER Skill Boosts and Gatorade Boost types; and four Cover Athlete t-shirts, a backpack, arm sleeve and custom-designed skateboard for MyPLAYER.

Paid Upgrades and Cross-Gen Progression

Of course, that’s not the end of the price gouging. Those who want to upgrade from PS4 or Xbox One to PS5 or Xbox Series X/S respectively will need to pay for the cross-gen bundle which costs $80 (or the 75^th Anniversary Edition). Fortunately, you can transfer progress between consoles in the same platform line (from previous to current gen and vice versa). This includes MyTEAM, MyTEAM Points, VC Wallet and MyTEAM Tokens.