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- NBA 2K23 launches on September 9 for PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms.
- New features include updated animations, classic NBA eras in franchise mode, and The Jordan Challenge.
- Gamers who buy the $150 Championship Edition will also get one year of NBA League Pass.
NBA 2K23 is the latest iteration of the hit basketball simulator. The game launches September 9 on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC. Buyers can choose between multiple editions with special preorder bonuses and different in-game rewards.
NBA 2K23 introduces lots of new features, including new animations and controls for contact layups, dunks, and dribble moves. There’s also a new option to play through classic NBA eras in the MyNBA franchise mode. Playable time periods include the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird era starting in 1983, the Michael Jordan era starting in 1991, and the Kobe Bryant era starting in 2002.
A new mode called The Jordan Challenge will let players experience 15 of Michael Jordan’s most inspiring career moments, starting with the 1982 NCAA Championship game and continuing through his final championship with the Chicago Bulls in 1998. NBA 2K23 will also expand its support of the WNBA , adding the WNBA All-Star game and Commissioner’s Cup tournament.
Most of the new additions are exclusive to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. PC and last-gen consoles, including Xbox One, PS4, and Switch, will see improvements too, but they won’t have access to all of the new animations or the MyNBA era mode, for example. The Jordan Challenge will be available on all consoles.
NBA 2K23 release date and price
NBA 2K23 will be released on September 9. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of the game cost $70, while the Xbox One, PS4, Switch, and PC versions cost $60. You can preorder the game now through all major retailers.
What do you get for preordering NBA 2K23?
Everyone who preorders NBA 2K23 will receive the following in-game bonuses and rewards:
- 5,000 virtual currency (VC)
- 5,000 MyTeam Points
- Ten MyTeam promo packs delivered over 10 weeks
- Multiple boosts for MyCareer mode
- A Devin Booker jersey to wear in the game
- A 95-rated Devin Booker MyTeam card
What’s included with each NBA 2K23 special edition release?
In addition to regular versions of the game, buyers can choose between a few different special edition copies of NBA 2K23 to snag extra bonuses. Here’s a full rundown of what each special edition includes.
NBA 2K23 WNBA Edition
The WNBA Edition costs the same as the standard game but features stars Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi on the cover and includes:
- Bird and Taurasi’s jerseys to wear in MyCareer mode
NBA 2K23 Michael Jordan Edition
The Michael Jordan Edition costs $100 and includes:
- Both the current- and next-gen versions of the game
- An additional 100,000 in VC
- 10,000 MyTeam points
- Ten MyTeam tokens
- Special Booker and Jordan MyTeam cards
- Twenty-three MyTeam Promo packs delivered over six weeks
- Several special MyTeam cards
- Ten boosts for each MyCareer skill type
- Ten Gatorade Boosts
- In-game t-shirts for Jordan, Booker, Taurasi, and Bird
- A backpack, arm sleeve, and custom skateboard for your MyPlayer
- A coin for double experience in MyCareer mode
NBA 2K23 Championship Edition
The Championship Edition is priced at $150 and includes all of the Jordan Edition bonuses, plus the following extras:
- A Jordan themed go-kart in game
- A 10% experience boost for MyTeam and MyCareer
- A 12-month subscription to NBA League Pass, allowing you to stream out-of-market NBA games live throughout the season
Can you upgrade to PS5 or Xbox Series versions of NBA 2K23?
Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that gamers will be able to upgrade a PS4 or Xbox One copy of NBA 2K23 to a PS5 or Xbox Series version. The developer has not announced an upgrade option, and it did not offer one for NBA 2K22.
If you’re planning to buy a new console over the next year, we recommend investing in the $80 Digital Deluxe Edition to secure both versions of the game.
The more expensive Michael Jordan Edition ($100) and Championship Edition ($150) copies of NBA 2K23 will also include both versions of the game.