The covers for NBA 2K20 have been released. The game is scheduled to hit PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on September 6. The new covers are pretty sharp. The Dwyane Wade Legend’s Edition is one of the best in the series history, but where does it rank all-time?
I’ve taken the 26 unique North American covers, including special editions, and ranked them from worst to best. Take a look at my countdown.
26. NBA 2K8
I’ve always thought this was one of the blandest covers in 2K history. It’s also one of my least favorite versions of the game. So yeah, it’s at the bottom of the list.
25. NBA 2K7
I loved and still love Shaquille O’Neal, but I remember when this cover was revealed. My first reaction was, “Shaq again?” On top of that, there really wasn’t anything special about the art.
24. ESPN NBA 2K5
I didn’t much like the heavily branded ESPN covers. This only lasted for two years, but mostly, the switch from Allen Iverson to Ben Wallace was a head-scratching decision. It was an odd transition considering the more maverick approach 2K had taken with Randy Moss on the cover of NFL 2K and Iverson on NBA 2K.
23. NBA 2K3
I don’t dislike any of the Iverson covers because he’s one of my favorite players, but this one had the least amount of pizazz.
22. NBA 2K2
At least this one had the graphics in the background, but I didn’t like the 2K logo in those days. It seemed as if the art team was still searching for a visual identity.
21. NBA 2K13
Derrick Rose is my all-time favorite player, and yes he shares this cover with Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin, but it’s still pretty blah. There is almost no personality and it’s my least favorite of the 2K Red designs.
20. NBA 2K9
The Kevin Garnett cover was a huge improvement over NBA 2K8, but still a little lacking compared to the next two or three box art designs in the series history.
19. NBA 2K16
Three different covers were OK, and the background images chronicling each player’s journey was nice. However, I wished the box poses had been a little more exciting.
18. NBA 2K6
Yes, this is a pretty basic setup, but for some reason, I liked the layered look with Shaq in color, posting up Jason Collins, with the latter and crowd in black and white.
17. NBA 2K18 – Legends Edition
This is my least favorite Legends Edition cover, but it still has some cool elements. For the most part, I didn’t like the background concept 2K used this year, but you have to love Shaq dunking on the logo.
16. NBA 2K18 – Standard Edition
There was a lot of drama surrounding this one. Kyrie Irving was originally on the cover as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, but after he demanded and was given a trade, 2K scrambled to get have appear in a Boston Celtics jersey. It worked out pretty well–for the cover, not the Celtics.
15. NBA 2K17
There was a bit of sentimental value to this cover. It’s not the busiest, but considering the gruesome injury Paul George had come back from and his rise to stardom with the Indiana Pacers, this was a cover with substance.
14. NBA 2K14
This NBA 2K will always have a special place in my heart, even though it had some catastrophic server issues. It introduced the series on the current generation of video game consoles, and graphically the leap was astounding. I also loved the reveal. The trailer was the best they have ever done, and 2K was the first video game to give LeBron James his due as a cover athlete.
13. NBA 2K19
The NBA 2K19 Standard Edition cover with Giannis Antetokounmpo paled in comparison to the Legend’s Edition for that year, but it was still strong with meaningful words surrounding the budding superstar.
12. NBA 2K20 Standard and Digital Deluxe Edition
The Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis is now the fifth player to represent the organization on a 2K cover. This design is strong, especially in gold, but it is a notch below this year’s Legend’s Edition.
11. NBA 2K15
The Kevin Durant solo cover had a ton of Easter Eggs in it, and no one knew it was teasing the PARK affiliations. This was just an overall strong cover with no real weaknesses.
10. NBA 2K
This is where it all started and on that alone, it is worthy of high placement. Also, the art design isn’t too shabby considering it is 20 years old.
9. NBA 2K1
This wasn’t the first A.I. cover, but it is one of the best. I always loved the animation look following his hesitation dribble.
8. NBA 2K10
For some, this is the best 2K ever. The concept art was fantastic and it marked the first time 2K started using the blurred effect for the image in the foreground. It’s an iconic Kobe Bryant pose and a great cover.
7. NBA 2K11
This box art is great for a number of reasons. It brought Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time back to video games, and it introduced 2K red to fans for the first time.
6. NBA 2K17 Legend’s Edition
The wave, the color, and the elegant design make this one of the greatest covers ever. The only issue I have with this cover and version is that it didn’t include a Mamba Moments feature. I’ve always felt that was a big wasted opportunity.
5. ESPN NBA 2K4
This wasn’t my favorite version of 2K, but it is my favorite Iverson cover. It’s not about the Philadelphia 76ers or even pure basketball. It’s about culture and attitude.
4. NBA 2K12
Far and away, NBA 2K12 is my favorite version of the game, and these covers represent the best of the blurred effect. It doesn’t hurt that Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird are honored in the same year.
3. NBA 2K20 – Legend’s Edition
I love everything about this cover, except for the fact that Dwyane Wade was mean to several Chicago Bulls teammates during his tenure with my team. Still, this cover is fantastic.
2. NBA 2K16 – Legend’s Edition
The greatest cover ever featuring the GOAT. There is nothing to dislike about the way this one was handled.
- NBA 2K19 – Legend’s Edition
There have been a number of great covers, but last year’s Legend’s Edition was the best. Amidst James’ free-agent decision and everything he stands for off the court, this cover captured it all. For my money, it is still the best 2K cover ever.
