The annual release of NBA 2K25 has been met with less optimism each year in recent years by many basketball fans. Another offseason sees NBA 2K25 less than two months away from release, so the lack of information beyond the cover athletes is disheartening. One common fan complaint is that the game is the same every year and offers minimal new features.

Rookies entering the league and players changing teams are commonly the main upgrades, while other aspects of the annual game stay stagnant. However, it is the early pre-order date and a lack of information that is leading to more anger this year. NBA 2K25 must start to correct course on fan service or risk more negative reactions.

What We Know About NBA 2K25 So Far

NBA 2K25 made news by revealing the three cover athletes of the various cover options. NBA star Jayson Tatum, WNBA star A’ja Wilson, and NBA legend Vince Carter are the names that will market the game this year. All three are deserving of the honor due to recent accomplishments like winning an NBA Championship, winning a WNBA Championship, or getting inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

However, not much else was announced with the cover stars beyond a pre-order listing. NBA 2K frequently gets criticized for offering little updates on what buyers can expect before making the game available for purchase. The reception is even worse this year with no game footage, trailer, or teaser information about anything beyond the usual perks.

Video game content creators have called out NBA 2K for not even hiding that the game will likely be very similar to NBA 2K24 and the other recent games before that. The typical NBA 2K modes of My Team, My Player, Play Now, and the other standard options will likely continue with the same elements unless new information is released before the release date.

Most video games try to tempt fans with enticing perks and new features before announcing the pre-sale. NBA 2K decided to make the game available for sale as soon as possible, and it has upset many already frustrated fans within the community. A new game like College Football 25 finding success will put pressure on games like Madden and NBA 2K over the next few months.

Weak NBA 2K25 Pre-Order Perks Upsetting Fans

Virtual currency and microtransactions continue to be polarizing topics within the video game community. Games like Fortnite and Fall Guys require spending on cosmetics or other perks, but users can purchase those games for free or cheap to play before paying for extras. NBA 2K is drastically different as a high-priced game that warrants more spending to get the most out of the game modes.

The pre-order bonuses for NBA 2K25 play into the microtransaction world, but the perks aren’t strong enough. Virtual currency is the first thing mentioned in each tier of pre-order, with the amount of game funds depending on which edition one purchases. NBA 2K’s in-game pricing for items in various modes makes it a harder sell since most high-priority items are beyond any pre-order bonus.

MyCareer is a popular NBA 2K mode that will see multiple pre-order bonuses looking to tempt fans, but many of the items feel pointless. Cosmetic items like skateboard skins, player t-shirts, and jerseys offer little to make one excited about pre-ordering the game. The most valuable Hall of Fame edition offers skill boosts and Gatorade boosts, but that’s a fraction of what’s needed to get the best value out of a MyCareer player in NBA 2K.

Another popular mode with a presence in the pre-order is MyTeam, for NBA 2K players who love the fantasy team element of putting together a dream roster. The biggest pre-order bonuses are an Amethyst coach card and a Jayson Tatum card with an 89 overall. Given how many great cards ranked in the 90s come out for this mode, Tatum’s pre-order card will be outdated rather quickly.

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NBA Fans Want More From NBA 2K25 Before Release

The First Major NBA 2K25 Trailer Must Excite Fans Into Buying Game

NBA 2K25 will eventually release a trailer and give more information before the game is released, but the lack of updates after the pre-order news so far has soured many fans. Fans deserve some upgrades to the actual gameplay; nothing about an individual challenge mode for a player or new game features has been teased at all.

NBA 2K24 had Kobe Bryant’s Mamba Moments as a side option to at least offer some variety in the smaller modes. A lack of updates concerns customers about how many changes will be made when trying this year’s game or if the developers want to make changes. Some believe that NBA 2K is recycling the same game each year with mostly roster updates as the big changes, which ultimately risks losing some of the customer base.

However, basketball is hotter than it’s been in many years thanks to the WNBA and the Olympics adding some major stories outside the NBA season. NBA 2K can improve the WNBA representation and utilize Team USA rosters like in past games. MyCareer and MyGM would be more appealing with much better pre-order bonuses. Even the overlooked play now mode of online head-to-head games with current teams has not been upgraded in over five years.

Every aspect of NBA 2K could be improved or tinkered with to at least provide something new. The fast pre-order announcement and no other news outside the cover names set up a negative combination to worry about the future of the game. Sports video games are getting stagnant, which often spelled doom for past franchises. NBA 2K25 must address the fan concern and deliver a strong trailer with some new features or risk more negative momentum.

NBA 2K25

2K and Visual Concepts’ NBA 2K25 is the franchise’s 2024 entry and includes the staples associated with the annual basketball series. Some of the game modes are MyCAREER, MyNBA, and MyTEAM.

Released

September 6, 2024

ESRB

E For Everyone For In-Game Purchases & Users Interact

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