![NBA 2K22 Covers [Source: Gematsu]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/7d61f-16326736419489-800.jpg)
![NBA 2K22 Covers [Source: Gematsu]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%205.625'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
NBA 2K has evolved a lot over the years. Just like any game released globally, the developers need to constantly update the gameplay and graphics to keep gamers interested and excited.
NBA 2K22 has generally received a lot of praise and positive feedback, and many have called it one of the game's best versions in years.
It is easy to say that each year the game is better than its previous version. Naturally, the developers look to remove the shortcomings, and improve the game.
However, certain versions of the game hold a special place in our hearts. For example, most LA Lakers fans would love to own a copy of NBA 2K10, NBA 2K17 Legend Edition and NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition because those are the ones with Kobe Bryant as the cover athlete.
On that note, let's revisit five of the best NBA 2K versions since 2010 as NBA 2K22 is picking up steam:
#5 NBA 2K16
![James Harden, Stephen Curry & Anthony Davis shared one of the NBA 2K16 covers [Source: NBA 2K]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/c1cb4-16327793244597-800.jpg)
NBA 2K16 introduced the MyCareer mode in the NBA 2K series, which is now considered a massive hit and arguably the game's best feature.
It turned the video game from strictly a basketball game to a role-playing one. You get the feel of an open-world RPG, like Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto, but live the storyline of an NBA prospect's journey through the league.
It also featured new parks and playgrounds if users wanted a change from the NBA court. The Pro-Am feature and MVP Stephen Curry's 99 rating made this game incredibly fun to play.
#4 NBA 2K11
![Michael Jordan as seen in NBA 2K11 [Source: 2K Games Store]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/2220f-16327828815161-800.jpg)
One of the best games to come out at the start of the last decade was NBA 2K11 which marked a turning point for the series.
2K Sports decided to honor the legends of the past, so who best to put on the cover than Michael Jordan? The NBA 2K series was starting to stagnate by the late 2000s, so the game introduced the Jordan Challenges, which were much beloved by the gaming community.
The Jordan Challenges on NBA 2K11 were a set of challenges that were essentially highlights of Michael Jordan's career. For example, the first challenge titled 'The Arrival', was one where one had to recreate the 1986 NBA playoff game between the Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls and drop 63 points while shooting 50%+ from the field.
Another challenge was the 'Double Nickel', where one had to recreate Jordan's 55-point showtime performance at Madison Square Garden on 55%+ shooting from the field. Some of the other challenges were 'Flu Game', 'The Shrug' and 'Michael's Last Dance', among others.
Gamers could walk in His Airness' shoes and revisit some of the iconic moments from the Hall of Famer's career.
#3 NBA 2K13
![The Dream Team as shown in NBA 2K13 [Source: screenrant]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/f0c20-16327839353291-800.jpg)
NBA 2K13 generated hype by introducing Team USA of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics 'Dream Team' and the 2012 London Olympics. The game also featured Jay-Z as the main artist for the soundtrack, production and narration.
NBA 2K13 highlighted sneaker culture, and built on the success of NBA 2K11 and 2K12 by improving on them. They added to the gamer's need of classic teams. and introduced some incredible lineups to play with.
Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose shared the main cover of NBA 2K13, while another edition featured Durant, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant on the cover wearing Team USA uniforms.
#2 NBA 2K22
![NBA 2K22 cross-gen cover [Source: FanSided]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/c34c9-16327844529946-800.jpg)
NBA 2K22 is turning out to be one of the best versions in years. Several features have been given major overhauls and new badges, dribbling moves, jump shots and also entirely new game modes have been introduced. The MyCareer mode looks better than ever, and the introduction of the cruise ship neighborhood along with The City has received lot of praise.
2K Sports has made the game more realistic by introducing in-arena announcements along with commentary.
They've added a MyTeam draft, new challenges and better cards, and gave MyLeague an upgrade. You can see five reasons to love the game here.
#1 NBA 2K17
![The Golden State Warriors as seen in NBA 2K17 [Source: screenrant]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/c4bb5-16327852298149-800.jpg)
NBA 2K16 was so good that NBA 2K17 was tough to follow, but the game developers went up a notch and introduced the MyLeague mode.
For the first time, you could relocate teams, add new cities and change the rules of the NBA, which was unheard of. It gave you an entire experience of the regular season and playoffs while feeling like a general manager, player and also coach.
The ability to move a whole franchise to a different city and practically start a new league with unique teams was incredibly fun when it first came out.
Moreover, it was one of the last games where you could play with international teams in the Play Now mode.
Similar to EA Sports' FIFA, you could pick Real Madrid with 59-rated Luka Doncic and play against the 2017 Golden State Warriors without a hitch. Now there are only NBA and WNBA teams on the Instant Play mode.
Guess the Lakers players!
