The NBA 2K franchise is widely popular and fans of the series love to go head-to-head in the basketball simulation game as they score points, play in tournaments, climb the ranks, and even take part in the management side of the sport. NBA 2K players enjoy taking control of their favorite teams, both present and past, and getting more in-depth depictions of all-star athletes like Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan.
The six-time championship winning Michael Jordan is a legend in the world of basketball, and by extension, in the world of NBA 2K. Michael Jordan appears in other games as well, not just in sports simulation games, which shows his reach and popularity. However, by far his most prolific and popular appearance is in the NBA 2K games, in which players are invited to take on the Jordan Challenge.
NBA 2K11 is where the Jordan Challenge originates. It is a groundbreaking sports game mode that allows for NBA fans to relive their favorite and most memorable moments from Michael Jordan’s storied career. More than 10 years have passed since NBA 2K11 and 2K now feels that it is the perfect time to "retell Jordan’s ascension from college standout to NBA legend in NBA 2K23." So, NBA 2K23 is going to include 15 unique game experiences beginning with Jordan’s humble beginnings at the University of North Carolina and culminating with the final shot he ever took for the Chicago Bulls, one that elevated him to a six-time NBA Champion.
Fans are quite aware of games backscaling graphics to achieve a certain purpose, whether that is nostalgia, more era-representative visuals, etc. NBA 2K23 is going to feature an "intricately designed video filter system" to re-purpose the game's graphics in the Jordan Challenge to better represent Jordan's era in the late 80s and early 90s. Also, the game will feature "era-specific broadcast elements" that showcase the way basketball games were broadcast at the time, with big block letters and not too many flashy graphics.
A game's tone is almost as important as its gameplay - it helps immerse the players into its environment and story. Many times, games make distinct choices about tone in order to create a specific feeling for the players, and NBA 2K23's Jordan Challenge is no different. Michael Jordan's career is defined by intense, inspirational tone shifts with many rises and falls that the game hopes to emulate as much as possible so that players can truly feel it all.
Players can look forward to getting their hands on NBA 2K23 next month and taking part in the Jordan Challenge in order to relive some great moments in the career of one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
NBA 2K23 releases September 9 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
