Are NBA 2K23 Eras on PS4?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

No, the highly anticipated MyNBA Eras game mode unfortunately does not come included in the PS4 and Xbox One versions of NBA 2K23. It is only available on next-gen consoles – PS5 and Xbox Series X|S – as well as Windows PC.

Why Fans Wanted Eras on PS4

This new mode has created major buzz since its reveal. MyNBA Eras provides gamers nostalgia by letting them play through past eras of NBA history, complete with era-authentic presentation, broadcast style, music, uniforms, players, play styles, and arenas that recreate those time periods.

According to Ronnie 2K, Digital Marketing Director at 2K, interest is sky-high: "I can’t tell you how many people are asking for this feature annually."

The three eras span icons from the 60s onward:

  • The Magic vs Bird Era
  • The Jordan Era
  • The Kobe Era

NBA fans were hugely excited to relieve these classic eras on their consoles. MyNBA Eras offers a unique way for newer generations of fans to experience historical NBA action.

Considering there is still an over 50% share of PS4/Xbox One consoles in the market, lack of support for those platforms is why this news disappointed so many.

The Technical Limitations

Providing such an immersive blast to the past with authenticity across every aspect of presentation, roster accuracy, signature style of play etc. is very resource-intensive.

| Hardware Capability | PS4/Xbox One | PS5/Xbox Series X|S |
|–|–|–|
| GPU Power | Weaker last-gen GPU| 10-12x more powerful modern GPU w/ ray-tracing|
|Max Resolution | 1080p HD | Native 4K, upscalable to 8K|
|Max Framerate| 30-60fps | Up to 120fps, VRR support |

There are simply major technological constraints around graphics rendering, computing performance, memory bandwidth and more on aging last-gen hardware that likely couldn‘t support the ambitious scope of MyNBA Eras.

Loading accurate retro player faces, textures and assets on top of fast gameplay requires strong processing – while basic exhibition basketball can still run decently on PS4, the resources to immerse players into different eras may have challenged those platforms beyond their limits.

Compromising key parts of the experience like visual quality, authentic broadcast elements, stable framerates or input lag to function on outdated hardware does not align with 2K‘s standards for this meticulously crafted mode.

Current vs Next-Gen – The Difference is Clear

While NBA 2K23 still offers enjoyable basketball gaming on PS4, omitting Eras from last-gen likely indicates the level of gameplay is meaningfully better on new consoles.

Digital Foundry technical analysis of the performance gap between generations confirms this – next-gen has a "clear visual advantage" especially in resolution, textures, loading and smoother gameplay thanks to new hardware capabilities more suited to demanding sports titles.

So players sticking with their PS4 will still get modern, updated basketball – but they would miss out on the highest-end NBA 2K23 experience which provides a visual step up that likely does justice to recreating past eras. Without power to match that, compromises had to be made.

What‘s Still Available on PS4?

Lack of MyNBA Eras is no doubt a bummer for PS4 owners who may have gotten their hopes up.

However current-gen players still have plenty of modes allowing for hoops action with all the newest rosters:

  • The full MyCareer story experience building up your custom player
  • MyTeam card-collecting
  • Quick Play Now games
  • Standard MyNBA franchise with today‘s lineups
  • MyGM team management

MyNBA also gives PS4 gamers flexibility to customize settings and mimic historical rules, uniforms etc. So while not the full time machine immersion of Eras, PS4 provides tools to replicate some retro vibes.

The Bottom Line

As an industry expert, I think 2K made a calculated decision that NBA 2K23 platform parity would be difficult given MyNBA Eras was built to leverage next-gen capabilities. With fans clamoring annually for this concept, 2K needed to ensure the mode truly lived up to expectations.

That required focusing resources where the technical prowess enabled executing their vision properly – rather than limiting Eras by having it underperform on aging hardware unable to render the full experience.

At the same time, PS4 and Xbox gamers can still hoop it up with 2K23. But playing Eras on PS5 or Series X may be worth upgrading for to travel through hardwood history.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Do you think 2K should have found a way to get MyNBA Eras working on PS4 too? Or were next-gen consoles the right call?

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

Similar Posts