NBA 2K21 is one of the first video game franchises set to release on all current and next-generation platforms including the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Google Stadia, and publisher 2K has officially revealed details on the game’s soundtrack, which will surprisingly feature significantly more tracks on the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions.
The latest edition of the long-running NBA 2K series from developer Visual Concepts is set to release in just a few months for current-generation platforms on September 4, 2020, and 2K has revealed quite a bit of information on the game as it nears its release. 2K recently unveiled the athletes set to grace the covers of the game’s different editions. Damian Lillard is set to be the cover athlete for current-generation platforms including the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Google Stadia. The game’s PS5 and Xbox Series X releases will have Zion Williams on the cover. And lastly, the late Kobe Bryant will be the cover athlete for the game’s Mamba Forever Edition for both current and next-generation platforms, each with a different cover featuring the late NBA legend.
The soundtrack of NBA 2K21 on current generation platforms will release with 52 tracks, including two tracks by Damian Lillard, under the moniker “Dame D.O.L.L.A.” As for the soundtrack for the game’s PS5 and Xbox Series X release, it will not only feature a whopping 202 tracks at launch but it will also receive additional songs afterwards. According to 2K, the new songs coming to the soundtrack for next-generation platforms will span across multiple genres including hip-hop, R&B, electronic, pop, and rock.
2K showed off the artist list for NBA 2K21’s soundtrack in a new graphic and the 52-song soundtrack for current-generation platforms is already available on Spotify. Damian Lillard stated his excitement over being part of the game’s soundtrack in a press statement saying, “To be on the cover alone is a big deal to me, but to be on the cover and also have my music be a part of the game is a huge accomplishment as well. Personally, I've been introduced to new artists, songs and genres that I might hear on the radio, but I heard it first on NBA 2K.”
Music has always been an integral part of the NBA 2K experience and it looks like NBA 2K21 is doubling-down on that with this year’s soundtrack. It’s unclear why 2K decided to have a disparity between the soundtracks for current and next-generation platforms but it could be due to the company wanting to take full advantage of the audio technology that will be featured in both the PS5 and Xbox Series X. It will be exciting to experience how NBA 2K21 and other titles utilize the technology available in both next-generation platforms such as the AI-driven technology on the PS5.
NBA 2K21 is will be available for the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC September 4, 2020. It will alunch for PS5, Xbox Series X, and Google Stadia later in 2020.