The three constants in life: death, taxes, and NBA 2K. The next iteration of the basketball simulator from 2K Sports arrives on September 10, 2021, across all major platforms. NBA 2K22 looks to build off last year’s success by improving key game mechanics, such as A.I. defensive capabilities and shot selection, while also harnessing the full power of next-gen consoles from the ground up.
There will be four different editions of NBA 2K22 available:
- Standard
- Cross-Gen Bundle
- NBA 75th Anniversary
- WNBA 25th Anniversary.
While each edition is jam-packed with content, there’s a reason why 2K is offering four different options. Which system you play on and the type of NBA 2K player you are will be major factors in deciding which edition to purchase. Let’s take a look at what each edition of NBA 2K22 brings to the court.
Standard Edition
Just as the name suggests, the Standard Edition is the run-of-the-mill basic version of NBA 2K22. Featuring budding superstar Luka Doncic on the cover, players opting for the Standard Edition, be warned: there is no next-gen upgrade associated with this edition of the game. So, if you’re choosing to purchase the Standard Edition, make sure you either already have a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series. Otherwise, you'll need to remember that you’ll be locked on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
As is the case with most games, there are pre-order bonuses tied with NBA 2K22. These are the pre-order bonuses for the Standard Edition but are only available through September 9, 2021:
- 5,000 Virtual Currency
- 5,000 MyTeam Points
- Ten MyTeam Promo Packs (delivered one a week)
- A Boost for each MyCareer Skill type
- A Boost for each Gatorade Boost type
- Luka Doncic MyPlayer Jersey
- 95 Rated Luka Doncic MyTeam Free Agent Card
Cross Gen Bundle - Digital Only
For players who don’t have a next-gen console just yet, but plan on securing one, the Cross Gen Bundle might interest you. Only available digitally, the Cross Gen Bundle gives you access to NBA 2K22 across current and next-gen consoles. For example, if you purchase the Cross Gen Bundle on PS4 and later purchase a PS5, you will be able to upgrade NBA 2K22 for free.
In addition to the free next-gen upgrade, the Cross Gen Bundle offers a fair amount of quality in-game items to help jumpstart your NBA 2K22 experience. These bonuses are not restricted to a pre-order status and will be rewarded to you once you download the game.
- 10,000 MyTeam Points
- Ten MyTeam Tokens
- Sapphire Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Durant MyTeam Cards
- 22 MyTeam Promo Packs (Receive 10 at launch, then 3 per week for 4 weeks)
- Diamond Jordan Shoe MyTeam card
- Coach Card MyTeam Pack
- Ten Boosts for each MyCareer Skill Boost type
- Ten Boosts for each Gatorade Boost type
- Four Cover Athlete T-Shirts for your MyPlayer
- MyPlayer backpack and arm sleeve
- Custom-design skateboard for MyPlayer
NBA 75th Anniversary Edition
To commemorate season 75 of the Association, the NBA announced all on-court jerseys will feature diamond embellishments and new Classic Edition jerseys from Nike. If the real-life NBA is offering special gear for the anniversary, then you can bet that NBA 2K22 will too. The 75th Anniversary Edition will feature three players on the cover spanning across three major eras of the NBA: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Durant.
The 75th Anniversary Edition offers a next-gen version, and it includes a treasure trove of in-game currency and goodies for you to get ahead when you make your way onto the court. Similar to the Cross Gen Bundle, these bonuses are not restricted to a pre-order status and come included in the game.
- 100,000 Virtual Currency
- 10,000 MyTeam Points
- Ten MyTeam Tokens
- Sapphire Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Durant MyTeam Cards
- 22 MyTeam Promo Packs (Receive 10 at launch, then 3 per week for 4 weeks)
- Diamond Jordan Shoe MyTeam card
- Coach Card MyTeam Pack
- Ten Boosts for each MyCareer Skill Boost type
- Ten Boosts for each Gatorade Boost type
- Four Cover Athlete T-Shirts for your MyPlayer
- MyPlayer backpack and arm sleeve
- Custom-design skateboard for MyPlayer
WNBA 25th Anniversary Edition - Physical Only
The NBA isn’t the only basketball league celebrating an anniversary; the upcoming season will mark season 25 in the WNBA. To memorialize this eventful season, not only will an entire WNBA special edition be available for purchase, but a woman will be featured on the cover for the first time in history.
Candace Parker of the Chicago Sky will grace the cover of the WNBA 25th Anniversary Edition of NBA 2K22. The game will also feature more training sessions and interactions with WNBA players to further your career and improve your game. Unfortunately, there are certain restrictions regarding the availability of this edition.
- Only available on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series
- Only available in the United States and Canada
- Physical copies only
Other than Parker being on the cover instead of Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic, there aren’t any other special bonuses for the WNBA 25th Anniversary Edition. However, it does offer the same pre-order bonuses as the Standard Edition, also available through September 9, 2021:
- 5,000 Virtual Currency
- 5,000 MyTeam Points
- Ten MyTeam Promo Packs (delivered one a week)
- A Boost for each MyCareer Skill type
- A Boost for each Gatorade Boost type
- Luka Doncic MyPlayer Jersey
- 95 Rated Luka Doncic MyTeam Free Agent Card
NBA 2K22: Should You Buy Cross Gen Bundle or 75th Anniversary Edition?
After analyzing what each edition offers, it's time to make a decision. Casual players or people who don't mind the grind should purchase the Standard or WNBA 25th Anniversary Edition. You'll get the base game, maybe some pre-order bonuses, but you also won't have the next-gen version if you're buying on a PS4 or Xbox One. So if you're planning on purchasing either base edition, make sure it's on the right console.
If you're looking to get ahead of the game, the big debate is between the Cross Gen Bundle and 75th Anniversary Edition. Each offers you access to a next-gen copy, so you're secured on the platform front. Ultimately, it boils down to whether you have a major preference between digital and physical, and how much $20 is worth to you. The Cross Gen Bundle is only offered digitally, while you can purchase the 75th Anniversary Edition digitally or physically.
The other major difference is the price. The Cross Gen Bundle is $20 cheaper than the 75th Anniversary Edition but doesn't include the 100,000 Virtual Currency that the latter offers. In NBA 2K21, you can purchase 75,000 Virtual Currency for $20, so if that conversion is the same this year and you plan on buying the in-game currency, it's a better deal to spend the extra $20 for the 75th Anniversary Edition for the extra 100,000 Virtual Currency.