NBA 2K23: Jordan Challenge mode will delight basketball nostalgics

Created: 08/11/2022, 16:00

By: Omer Kayali

2K has revealed new details about the Jordan Challenge mode in NBA 2K23.

This is a love letter to the NBA of the 1980s and 1990s.

With jersey number 23, one man immediately comes to mind for every basketball fan: Michael Jordan.

Matching the year, the developers are therefore dedicating the new "NBA 2K23" to none other than "Air Jordan".

That's why they're bringing back the Jordan Challenge mode, which was first introduced in NBA 2K11 and was very well received by players at the time.

For "NBA 2K23" the mode has been completely revised and equipped with many new features.

Especially fans of the NBA of the 1980s and 1990s will have a lot of fun with it.

The developer studio Visual Concepts has come up with some ideas.

"NBA 2K23": The "Jordan Challenge" will be a celebration for NBA nostalgics

The mode features 15 iconic moments from Michael Jordan's career - from college, Team USA and of course the NBA.

The developers have now revealed more details about the new "Jordan Challenge" in "NBA 2K23".

NBA 2K23: Contemporary rendering

Jordan Challenge mode returns in NBA 2K23.

The slightly pixelated look is intentional.

© 2K

The "Jordan Challenge" mode has a special video filter system, which corresponds to the television broadcast of the time.

Therefore, ultra-high-resolution images are deliberately avoided here.

Instead, the game gets a deliberately pixelated, contemporary look.

Also interesting for nostalgics: In addition to the jerseys and outfits of the players, the logos of well-known brands have also been adapted accordingly.

80's and 90's teams are said to play more physically

The virtual journey into the NBA past is not only noticeable visually.

The gameplay and basketball style of play also corresponds to the respective era.

So teams in the '80s and '90s won't try countless three-pointers like they do today.

Instead, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Co. prefer throws from middle and close range.

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Also, the rules are interpreted differently.

The decades in which Michael Jordan was active as a player are considered to be far more physical and referees took the whistle much slower.

This should be reflected in the gameplay.

Players can look forward to getting to know the "bad boy" Detroit Pistons of the 1980s, who played very hard with their "Jordan Rules" and didn't shy away from nasty fouls.

Interviews with well-known NBA personalities

An interview with a former teammate, opponent, coach, or commentator plays before each match in the Jordan Challenge.

Dennis Rodman, Phil Jackson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Marv Albert, among others, have their say here.

Renowned analyst and expert Mike Fratello will also serve as commentator.

2K also hired Ray Clay, the original '90s announcer for the Chicago Bulls, whose announcements, accompanied by the legendary music of the Alan Parsons Project, will give any '90s Bulls fan the creeps.

NBA 2K23: More gameplay changes

The developers have also added new animations for legendary players.

In addition to Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird will also receive new jump shot, layup and dunk packages.

These should correspond more to their role models.

In addition, the developers have made further adjustments to the gameplay.

Among other things, the "adrenaline boosts" or the revised dunk animations are new.

We have listed all gameplay innovations for "NBA 2K23" in a separate article.

NBA 2K23 is out September 9th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.