NBA 2K25 finally adds early access as pre-order bonus

One of the unspoken norms of modern sports gaming has become the coveted few days of early access as some players get a head start while others may wait until the worldwide release to make a decision on whether this year's game is worth buying. NBA 2K has been an outlier in this realm, as they've stuck to a single simultaneous drop in recent years. NBA 2K25 will finally break that pattern and introduce early access, and they're taking it a step further than everyone else.

NBA 2K25 early access confirmed for all editions

Whether it's Madden, MLB The Show, or WWE 2K, almost every major sports franchise that drops annually has embraced the early access model. MLB The Show has the largest early access window with a full four days provided to players who pre-order any of the special editions, and most other games have given three days of early access.

NBA 2K25 will be busting that pattern as well by making it a shorter two day early access window, but there's one huge difference. NBA 2K25 early access is included with every single edition of the game, and it will not be exclusive to players who get the All-Star or Hall of Fame Edition.

If you've already placed a pre-order for NBA 2K25 on any platform other than Nintendo Switch (which sadly will not have early access), this bonus will automatically be provided. For those who don't want to go digital and prefer a physical copy, NBA 2K25 early access will be available at participating retailers in select areas. 2K has suggested players get in touch with their local retailer to confirm early access for a physical copy.

The worldwide launch of NBA 2K25 is set for September 6, but all players who pre-order will get early access starting on Wednesday, September 4 at 5am ET. If you want to get in the second things go live, it's best to get a digital copy of NBA 2K25 and ensure you've got it pre-loaded in full ahead of that time. For players who go with a physical edition instead, you'll be able to pick it up from participating retailers starting on September 4.