However, the 2016 release saw the track count double. Prior to 2K16, previous installments included 20 or so songs, which made each place more critical and poignant. However, the 2K13 soundtrack also included a select number of songs from other genres, which saw groups like U2 and Coldplay somehow end up on a decidedly American basketball simulation game. Not only does the playlist include a healthy serving of Jay-Z, but it also works hard to delve into the gritty underground of hip-hop that made previous iterations major hits, 2K11 included.
Paired to coincide with the opening of the Brooklyn Nets newly-built Barclays Center, Jay-Z truly outdid himself by celebrating the Atlantic Ave development when he also produced the 2K13 soundtrack. Not to mention, it introduced gamers of a new generation to some of the classic music that helped develop basketball culture in the 80s and 90s, which made the soundtrack stand out as a lesson in basketball.ĭevelopers 2K Sports pulled out all the stops with this soundtrack. This means that anyone who spent more than a few hours playing 2K11 will immediately associate any song from the game with that game specifically.īoth genius branding and semi-Pavlovian experimenting have cemented 2K11 as the game’s premier soundtrack. While the latest iterations of the video game franchise have integrated top hits from major artists, 2K11 stuck to underground hits, particularly in the realm of hip-hop.īecause developers chose to include sleeper songs that not many would know, they effectively created a soundtrack that couples exclusively with the game. Widely hailed amongst fans as the greatest 2K soundtrack to accompany the game, many are under the opinion that even future soundtracks won’t be able to compete.
Let’s take a look at the best soundtracks in their 2K series to date.
However, making a top-notch playlist to accompany the game has never been an issue for 2K Sports. Graphics, advancements to gameplay, and (real) playoff series aside, 2K21 has managed to put together a solid soundtrack. The (real-world) NBA Finals are set to end shortly, which means fans still have time to wager on NBA games this season before diving into NBA 2K21 and playing with one of the Championship Final teams, the LA Lakers and Miami Heat. Since its release, the video game has sparked a lot of interest between video game pundits and diehard fans of the simulation series.ĭespite quite a lot of kickback regarding issues with gameplay and the MyLeague, MyPlayer, and MyTeam settings, 2K21 managed to stun audiences with their graphics and Next-Gen gameplay experience.įor instance, the latest iteration includes a Rail Cam simulation that fans will be familiar with from the NBA Playoff Bubble at Disney World. Human (Rudimental Remix) - Rag' n' Bone Man feat.In early September, 2K Sports released its latest installment in the 2K series with NBA 2K21.Wrote My Way Out - Nas, Dave East, Lin-Manuel Miranda, & Aloe Blacc.Stand Back - PnB Rock / A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.Don't Threaten Me With A Good Time - Panic At The Disco.They Reminisce Over You - Pete Rock & CL Smooth.Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See - Busta Rhymes.Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - C + C Music Factory.Kyrie Irving is 2K18's cover star (unless you're in Canada), while Shaq fronts the special edition. In addition to the usual array of platforms- PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS3, and Xbox 360-it'll also be available on Switch. NBA 2K18 launches on September 19, but those who pre-order will get their hands on the game four days early, on September 15.
You can check out the full tracklist below.
In previous years, it's attributed them to the likes of LeBron James, Pharrell Williams, and Imagine Dragons. There's a mixture of more contemporary artists and older ones-you've got songs by everyone from Kendrick Lamar to Drake and Quavo to Nas and Lin-Manuel Miranda to A Tribe Called Quest to Outkast.ĢK didn't make any special note of who was responsible for curating the soundtrack. This is an important bit of news for 2K18 fans, as it represents the list of songs you'll listen to ad nauseam while contemplating trades and managing the salary cap. It's comprised of 49 songs, one fewer than that of NBA 2K17.
2K Sports has announced the lineup of songs that will be present in its pro basketball game this year, NBA 2K18.