NBA 2K25 Drops 1st Gameplay Innovations Trailer and Reveals Early-Access Release Date

Ahead of the release of the NBA 2K25 video game next month, 2K released a gameplay trailer Thursday, which highlights some of the biggest additions and improvements to the game.

Visual Concepts and 2K heralded the implementation of ProPLAY as a potential game-changer for NBA 2K25, as it allowed developers to include 9,000 new in-game animations and a new dribble engine, both based off of players' real-life movements.

In a press release, 2K called it the "biggest update to the gameplay engine in 15 years," and Visual Concepts Gameplay Director Mike Wang hyped up the changes as well, saying:

"Realism, customization and freedom are the key drivers behind this year's gameplay updates including one of the most impactful updates to our gameplay engine in years. Enhancements powered by ProPLAY inject a sense of energy, immersion, and, most importantly, authenticity to our game while the gameplay puts an unprecedented level of control in the player's hands to fully personalize how they dribble and shoot the ball."

Other innovations include pro stick rhythm shooting, custom visual cues and shot timing profiles, as well as a shot canceling feature, which allows gamers to stop their shot and transition into other moves.

Signature go-to shots are also new to NBA 2K25, adding dribble-into-shot combos based on how players actually do it in the NBA.

Defensively, there is a new cutoff system that allows players to easily maneuver laterally with the right stick, plus the new contest system, which "uses a dynamic weighting system" to determine the impact defense has on the opposition's shots.

Learn 2K mode has also been added to the game, and it allows players to be walked through all aspects of gameplay from the most basic to the most advanced. It includes mini games, drills and practice scenarios.

The official release date for NBA 2K25 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC is Sept. 6, but those who pre-order the game can play up to two days early on Sept. 4 on the aforementioned platforms besides the Switch.