The video game cycle for NBA 2K22 is finally coming to a close as the end of the 2021-22 season means everyone will be awaiting the new game that launches prior to the start of the next season. 2K22 saw Luka Doncic as the cover athlete, with an NBA 75th Anniversary edition featuring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kevin Durant, and Dirk Nowitzki.
NBA 2K23 will see the man that defines the number 23 adorn the cover. Michael Jordan will feature across both editions of the game in 2K23, with the Standard edition (called the Michael Jordan edition) and the Championship edition becoming available for pre-order on July 7.
2K23 will mark Jordan’s fourth appearance on an NBA 2K cover. His first appearance on the cover was in NBA 2K11, which he followed up with a consecutive cover in NBA 2K12. His next cover came when he featured on the NBA 2K16 Special Edition.
The NBA’s press release announcing the NBA 2K23 cover athlete gave some information on what the game is shaping up to look like, with the special Jordan Challenge mode returning from NBA 2K11.
Along with Michael Jordan returning to grace the covers of NBA 2K23 this year, the game will also reintroduce The Jordan Challenge, which encourages players to recreate 15 iconic moments from Jordan’s illustrious career. All ten of the original Challenges from NBA 2K11 have been completely rebuilt from the ground up and will make their return this year – alongside five new iconic Jordan moments – for an entire new generation of players to experience. These Challenges take advantage of more than a decade of technological leaps to provide a completely new way to play through Jordan’s accomplishments, all housed within its own game mode.” (h.t PushSquare)
The game is set to release on consoles on the 9th of September. The Championship Edition will come with a 12-month subscription to NBA League Pass, giving the buyer access to the full NBA season for 2022-23. This is looking to be a fantastic offering, and the game will do its best to live up to the greatness of the athlete on its cover.
