NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition, a slimmed-down version of 2K Sports’ annual basketball franchise, heads to Apple’s mobile game subscription service, Apple Arcade, today.
Available on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Mac devices, NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition delivers what 2K calls ‘one-of-a-kind basketball experience’ powered by a new bespoke graphics engine that makes the most of these comparatively under-powered devices to offer the highest possible gameplay resolution, and markedly improved visuals, animations, and AI.
NBA 2K21 on Arcade features four modes from the full-fat version. There’s Arena Quick Match, Online Multiplayer, Blacktop Quick Match, and the story-style MyCAREER mode:
– Play 5-on-5 basketball featuring the latest NBA roster from the 2020-2021 season in Arena Quick Match.
– Experience fast-paced, over-the-top games on street courts in Blacktop Quick Match.
– Join a friend in Online Multiplayer to play cross-platform via the Game Center.
– Start a journey toward NBA legend status in MyCAREER and spend hours navigating through personal story-lines and progression.
The Arcade Edition also benefits from the very same 2021 team roster update. And players still get the same tight controls, slick camera angles, and realistic player attributes (ball-handling, speed, shooting, and defense) from the standard version. Developer Visual Concepts has integrated cross-play to NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition across all compatible Apple devices. It’s even thrown in Xbox and PlayStation controller support.
No Micro-Transactions in NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition
In addition, while the console and PC versions of NBA 2K21 burst with oppressive micro-transactions courtesy of 2K’s lucrative MyTeam cash cow and even un-skippable ads, NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition doesn’t feature a single in-game transaction. A subscription to Apple Arcade grants access to everything the game has to offer. This is thanks to Apple’s zero-tolerance policy for in-game currency, loot boxes, and all other varieties of micro-transactions.
Lastly, alongside NBA 2K21, a slew of other games also hit Apple Arcade today. Notable titles include Fantasian, Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition, Monument Valley, World of Demons, and The Oregon Trail.