NBA 2K23 Perfectly Simulates 1980s Basketball With the Jordan Challenges
NBA 2K23 is seeking to perfectly simulate the look, feel, and action of 1980s and 1990s basketball by recreating superstar Michael Jordan’s most iconic moments in the Jordan Challenges.
These include Jordan’s game-winner in the 1982 NCAA National Championship, “the shot” over the Utah Jazz that won him his sixth and final NBA title in 1998, plus other signature match-ups from his career against the likes of Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and the Bad Boy Pistons.
The challenges won’t be played on modern NBA courts, or even on classic courts with modern commentary, as each moment features a complete overhaul of the visuals and sound to recreate the broadcast coverage at the time.
Gameplay will also change to match the more physical era of basketball, meaning what feels like a foul in modern-day NBA 2K may not be called as one in these challenges. A heavier focus also falls on the post and mid-range game, and players will seek to make cuts to the basket more instead of spotting up for a three-point shot like they do today.
“The Jordan Challenge is an immersive experience unlike anything NBA 2K fans have seen, completely rebuilding the challenges from 2K11 and adding five new moments,” said Erick Boenisch, VP of NBA development at 2K and Visual Concepts.
“Our team took everything into consideration when constructing this game mode, from the arenas, the players, the uniforms, the broadcast, and the play style of the era have been accounted for in an effort to give fans a truly authentic 1980s playable experience.”
Jordan graces the cover of NBA 2K23’s aptly named Michael Jordan Edition and the limited Championship Edition, while Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird feature on the WNBA edition and Devin Booker appears on the standard.
The game will be released on September 9 for PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series, and Nintendo Switch. It’s also coming to PC, though this is still the last-gen version despite significant fan outcry.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
