NBA 2K27 shows of its new features

Visual Concepts is not interested in taking the easy layuo this year with NBA 2K27. The studio offered a first look at gameplay and now it has revealed a sizeable batch of new features for the upcoming installment in the basketball simulation series, and this isn't just a case of changing the menus, updating the rosters and pretending nothing happened. The new game is taking aim at MyCAREER, The City, MyNBA, MyTEAM and even the fundamentals of life on the virtual hardwood.

So, what's new in NBA 2K27?

One of the most intriguing additions is MyCAREER Eras, which lets players take their custom basketball prodigy on a trip through NBA history. Five different periods are available, including the Magic vs. Bird Era, Jordan Era, Kobe Era, LeBron Era and Steph Era. That means your MyPLAYER can build a career in completely different generations of basketball, potentially creating some wonderfully bizarre "what if?" scenarios along the way.

MyCAREER is also finally getting co-op. A second player can jump into the story as Trace Miller, your Running Mate, during the G League portion of the campaign. Trace can be customized using nine NBA-inspired templates, while both players can earn VC and Season XP. Because apparently becoming an NBA superstar wasn't stressful enough without having your friend shouting at you for missing an open pass.

Players can create female MyPLAYERs and compete alongside male characters across The Rec, Theater, Street Kings, Park, Proving Grounds, Ante-Up and other City activities. The new Crew HQ and Casual Corner will also join the multiplayer hub, while The Rec introduces five rotating environments, including a high school gym, outdoor court and crowded arena.

Also, the MyPLAYER Builder is receiving some serious attention too. Badge Tokens will make it easier to understand how a particular build affects Badge eligibility and costs before committing to it. NBA 2K27 will feature 53 Badges, including 19 newcomers, alongside the new Synergy system. Fuse and Reaction Badges are designed to provide additional boosts and encourage players to think more carefully about how their builds complement one another.

On the court, the developers are throwing plenty of new toys at players. Expanded dribbling options and improvements to finishing are among the offensive additions, while defensive players are getting revamped Hands-Up Shot Contests and new ball-collision mechanics. More than 7,000 new ProPLAY animations are also being introduced, because apparently basketball now requires an animation budget large enough to make Pixar nervous.

Then there is MyNBA Legacy, which sounds like Visual Concepts decided that a normal franchise mode simply wasn't ambitious enough. The new mode stretches across a 100-year basketball universe, allowing players to develop a star while simultaneously taking on the responsibilities of a general manager. Eventually, the virtual basketball dynasty can span generations, creating the possibility of watching one family tree dominate the league for a century.

Traditional MyNBA is also getting deeper management systems, including revamped free-agent negotiations, performance incentives, roster demands and the new GM Trust mechanic. Your decisions in the front office should therefore have more consequences, meaning that ruining your team's future through a disastrous contract might finally feel as satisfying as it does in real life.

MyTEAM is getting its own makeover through an expanded Exchange system. Players will be able to trade almost any Player Card, with Free Agent cards excluded, toward more valuable rewards. Even cards used to complete collections can remain eligible for the Exchange afterward, giving unwanted cards considerably more purpose than simply gathering digital dust.

It looks like Visual Concepts has emptied the contents of its ideas drawer onto the court. Historical MyCAREER campaigns, co-op progression, a shared City and a century-spanning franchise mode give players plenty of new ways to lose track of time in NBA 2K27. The release of the game is scheduled for September 4, 2026. Remember that you can use our comparator to get your copy of NBA 2K27 at the best price for your platform of choice.