I get it – you‘re pumped for NBA 2K22 but don‘t want to spend a ton of cash, especially if you just bought NBA 2K21 last year. You may be wondering: is the next-gen version on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S free if I already bought the current-gen version on PS4 and Xbox One?
Let me save you some headaches right off the bat: no, NBA 2K22 next-gen is not free if you own the current-gen version. 2K Sports does not offer any free upgrades to the fancier next-gen editions.
But don‘t sweat it! In this detailed guide, I‘ll break down all your options for getting NBA 2K22 free or cheap, whether it‘s waiting for a sale, scoring a used copy, or "game sharing" with a buddy.
I‘ve got the scoop as a gaming deal expert here to help fellow ballers get their virtual hoops fix without breaking the bank!
Do You Have to Re-Buy NBA 2K22 for Next-Gen Consoles?
Whenever a new generation of consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X arrives, it creates chaos for gamers‘ wallets. Suddenly you need to re-purchase upgraded versions of games you already own!
The launch of NBA 2K22 is no different. Here‘s a quick cheat sheet on which versions exist and how much they cost:
- Current-gen – PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC ($59.99)
- Next-gen – PS5, Xbox Series X/S ($69.99)
- Cross-gen Bundle – Both current and next-gen ($79.99)
Yep, next-gen costs $10 extra! And there is no free upgrade option from current to next-gen editions. 2K Sports clearly wants you to pay up.
The only way to get next-gen "free" in a bundle is springing for the Cross-Gen or special edition bundles upfront.
To summarize:
โ Have to re-buy next-gen at full $69.99 price
โ No free upgrade from current-gen to next
๐ธ Cross-gen bundle only way to get both versions
Kind of a raw deal, but fear not…there are still tricks to score next-gen for cheap or free if you keep reading!
Should You Pay Extra for the Next-Gen Version?
Before we get into the money-saving hacks, it‘s fair to ask…is NBA 2K22 on PS5 and Xbox Series X even worth paying extra for? Or should you just stick with current-gen?
Here‘s a handy comparison of features:
**NBA 2K22 Current-Gen** | **NBA 2K22 Next-Gen** |
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As you can see, next-gen 2K22 takes big advantage of new hardware with 4K resolution, quicker loading, better visuals, and exciting mode expansions.
For $10 extra, next-gen seems a no-brainer upgrade for the boost in immersion alone. Some other perks include:
๐ Higher crowd variety and reactivity
๐ More detailed overlays, menus, and environments
๐ New hoverboard transportation option
The consensus among early reviews is next-gen 2K22 is a jaw-dropping achievement in sports game graphics. If you want NBA action as close to real life as possible, it‘s worth paying a bit more in my opinion.
Not to mention, most online head-to-head play will eventually shift to next-gen once PS5 and Xbox Series X grow their user bases. You‘ll want to upgrade then to find the most matchmaking competition.
But enough rationalizing – you‘re here to get NBA 2K22 cheap! Let‘s break down tips for current and next-gen.
5 Hacks for Getting Current-Gen NBA 2K22 on the Cheap
The good news is current-gen NBA 2K22 on PS4, Xbox One, and Switch is still a fantastic hoops experience in its own right for only $59.99. Here are handy ways to grab it for even less:
1๏ธโฃ Buy a Physical Discounted Copy
โกCheck retailers like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Amazon for discounts. Physical copies often drop to $49.99 within a couple months.
๐ฎPre-owned copies are a great way to save – try GameStop, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace to find gently used copies at around $40 or less.
2๏ธโฃ Rent the Game with GameFly
๐ฌInstead of buying NBA 2K22 outright, you can rent it for 1-3 months from GameFly to test it out for just $15-30.
๐ฎUse promo code "HEROFREE30" for 30 days free if you are new to GameFly!
3๏ธโฃ Wait for Permanent Price Reduction
โฐThe base price for NBA 2K22 current-gen will drop permanently from $59.99 to $49.99 a few months after launch around January.
๐ Waiting until 2023 when it hits $39.99 can save you 35% or more off list price!
4๏ธโฃ Buy During Sale Periods
๐Watch for discounts during peak spending seasons like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, holiday sales in Nov/Dec. Should easily be 33-50% off.
๐ฅถEven better deals emerge during the NBA offseason around May-August.
5๏ธโฃ GameShare with a Friend
๐คIf you know someone who buys NBA 2K22 digital for Xbox One or PS4, set up game sharing with them to download their copy.
๐ฏTotally free way to play as long as you trust the friend and don‘t mind limited access.
See – with a little patience and strategy, you can rep your favorite team in NBA 2K22 current-gen without paying full retail price.
4 Sneaky Ways to Score Next-Gen NBA 2K22 for Free
Scoring the fancy next-gen 2K22 edition on PS5 and Xbox Series X for free takes more creativity, but it IS possible with these clever ideas:
1๏ธโฃ Buy Physical and Upgrade for Free
๐ Some retailers like GameStop offered free next-gen upgrades for the first couple weeks after launch if you bought the physical current-gen disc.
๐ Not available anymore, but worthwhile to watch if promotions like this emerge again.
2๏ธโฃ Trade Your Current-Gen Copy
๐ฟ During launch windows, many retailers let you trade in your physical PS4 or Xbox One copy for big credit towards buying the next-gen version!
๐ Watch trade-in values closely at GameStop, Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart around NBA 2K22‘s launch window.
3๏ธโฃ Wait for Super Sale Discounts
๐ Even next-gen editions see massive discounts eventually. I‘m talking 50-75% off during the NBA offseason or holidays!
๐ต If you can hold out 6+ months, next-gen can ultimately be had for $20-30.
4๏ธโฃ GameShare Next-Gen with Friend
๐ฎ Like current-gen, game sharing with a buddy who owns the next-gen digital copy lets you play their copy for free.
๐ You give up convenience of full access, but still enjoy it at no cost!
See, with some strategic timing and planning, next-gen is not completely out of reach for zero dollars. Having friends to game share with is extra clutch!
How Much Does Each Edition of NBA 2K22 Cost?
Let‘s quickly summarize the pricing options:
NBA 2K22 Current-Gen Editions:
๐ Standard Edition – $59.99 on PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC
๐ Cross-Gen Bundle – $79.99 (includes next-gen for +$20)
๐ WNBA 25th Anniversary – $79.99 (includes next-gen version)
NBA 2K22 Next-Gen Editions:
๐ Standard Edition – $69.99 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S
๐ NBA 75th Anniversary – $99.99 (includes current and next-gen)
As you can see, next-gen costs an extra $10 if buying standalone. But current vs. next-gen pricing gets confusing with the bundles, so consult this guide when deciding!
When Will NBA 2K22 Price Drop?
To help plan your purchase timing, here‘s a quick roadmap of expected NBA 2K22 price drops I predict as a deals guru:
๐ Launch Months: $59.99 base ($69.99 next-gen)
๐ November: 33-50% off for Black Friday sales
๐ January: Permanent current-gen drop to $49.99
๐ March: ~$40 average sale price
๐ May-August: Hits lowest sale prices $20-30 range
So in summary:
โ Buy now if you want to play immediately and don‘t mind paying premium
โ Wait for Black Friday if you want it soon and want to save ~40%
โ Wait until 2023 if you want it cheap and can wait many months!
Follow this timeline to pay the lowest price possible for your preferred edition.
Should You Buy NBA 2K21 or NBA 2K22?
Let‘s wrap up with a quick cheat sheet on whether to buy NBA 2K21 now or go with the new NBA 2K22:
๐ NBA 2K22 Pros
- Latest rosters and player ratings
- New MyCAREER storyline
- Gameplay enhancements and fixes
- More active online player base
๐ NBA 2K21 Pros
- Super cheap price now ($20-30)
- Just as good gameplay and graphics
- Huge sales on VC currency
- Less VC required to upgrade player
In summary:
๐ Go with 2K22 if you want latest rosters and new narrative content
๐ Go with 2K21 if you want to save money and play for cheaper
You really can‘t go wrong either way – both offer hundreds of hours of legendary NBA simulation!
Well, hopefully this info helps you decide exactly how to get your hands on NBA 2K22 without overspending. Let me know if you have any other questions – I‘m always happy to help a fellow hoops gamer get their money‘s worth. Enjoy the professional hardwood action!