'NBA 2K18' News: Release Date & Legend Edition With Shaquille O'Neal Cover Announced

by Alexies Fraser / May 12, 2017 07:07 AM EDT

Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers slams home a basket over Greg Ostertag #00 of the Utah Jazz.

“NBA 2K18” is expected to launch in September with spilling details all over the internet with its new improved visuals, game modes and the new annual cover Shaquille O'Neal. The 2016-17 NBA season is far from over, but “NBA 2K18” will launch on Sept. 19 for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS4, PS3, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Apart from the regular game release, the game will also launch special Legend Edition that features Shaquille O'Neal on the cover.

The “NBA 2K18” Legend Edition is the third NBA 2K cover for the Big Aristotle, whose past covers were NBA 2K6 and NBA 2K7. However, it will be his first appearance on a Legend Edition. There are two different covers, capturing Shaq in his signature pose with the two teams he helped to be NBA champions. These two versions are: Lakers version is the Gold and the Miami Heat cover is for the regular Legends Edition.

“I want to thank NBA 2K for their continuous support of my basketball and broadcast career. I’m excited to be on the cover of the “NBA 2K18” Legend Edition and I hope my fans have a blast playing it up big man style and re-creating my most legendary in-game moments!” said O’Neal in a mock acceptance speech during 2K Sports game promotional.

“NBA 2K18” will feature new stats, modes, and increasingly realistic visuals. There will be returning modes, which includes MyGM, MyCareer, and MyLeague as well as a standard range of exhibition options for local and online multiplayer.

MyTeam will also return to “NBA 2K18”, which is a mode that compiles virtual trading card collection of gamer’s favorite players and teams. The will also add further refinements to the existing formula and the details will be available soon. Additionally, 2K has yet to officially reveal the players included in the standard edition cover.

There will be an Early Tip-Off release for NAB 2K18, offering pre-order of the Legend Edition on Sept. 15 that will give players early access to the game alongside new and exclusive in-game content. The regular Legend Edition will cost $100 while the Gold version is $150. “NBA 2K18”’s physical edition of Legend Edition Gold will be available exclusively at GameStop.

“NBA 2K18” regular physical Legend Edition will include limited edition Shaq poster, 5 panini trading cards, and exclusive stickers, while the Digital version will have 100,000 virtual currency, 20 weekly MyTEAM packs, and Shaq in-game items. On the other hand, physical Legend Edition Gold will have limited edition Shaq poster, lenticular, 10 panini trading cards exclusive stickers, and as for the digital content, it will feature 250,000 virtual currency, 40 weekly MyTEAM packs, and Shaq in-game items.