Can PS4 play with PS5 NBA 2K23?

As an avid NBA 2K gamer and content creator, this is a question I‘ve been getting a lot. Let‘s settle it once and for all:

No, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 players cannot play against or with each other on NBA 2K23. Cross-platform multiplayer between the two PlayStation console generations is not supported.

However, there is cross-progression in certain modes, allowing you to transfer some (but not all) of your save data when upgrading from PS4 to PS5.

In this guide, I‘ll break down exactly how cross-platform, cross-gen, and cross-progression work in NBA 2K23 – and whether you‘re missing out by sticking with the PS4 version. Let‘s dive in!

NBA 2K23 Cross-Platform Multiplayer

Cross-platform play refers to the ability to play with or against people on different platforms (PS5 vs. Xbox Series X|S vs. Nintendo Switch vs. PC).

Unfortunately, NBA 2K23 does NOT support any form of cross-platform multiplayer. A PS5 user cannot match up with or join the Pro-Am team of an Xbox Series X player.

Below is a crossover chart showing which platforms can play together:

So if you have friends split across different consoles or PC, you unfortunately cannot play NBA 2K23 together.

NBA 2K23 Cross-Generation Multiplayer

Cross-generation (or cross-gen) play refers to playing across different generations of the same console family – like PlayStation 4 vs. PlayStation 5.

And once again, cross-generation multiplayer is NOT enabled in NBA 2K23.

A PlayStation 4 2K23 player cannot match up against or join the Pro-Am Squad of a PlayStation 5 2K23 player. Each console generation has its own distinct community.

Below is an updated crossover chart just for PlayStation players:

So in summary – PS4 and PS5 gamers cannot play NBA 2K23 together in any online competitive or cooperative multiplayer modes.

NBA 2K23 Cross-Progression (Transferring Data)

Cross-progression refers to the ability to transfer certain save data and progress when moving from one platform to another.

The good news is that NBA 2K23 does allow limited cross-progression between PS4 and PS5.

Your MyPLAYER build and VC wallet will carry over to next-gen, along with select MyTEAM content:

• MyPLAYER builds
• Virtual Currency (VC)
• MyTEAM cards
• MyTEAM tokens

However, other modes like MyGM and MyLEAGUE do not transfer from PS4 to PS5. So you‘ll be starting those franchise saves from scratch.

And as we already covered, you cannot move your Pro-Am team or play against PS4 gamers while on PS5. So there are still some barriers when transitioning console generations.

PS4 vs. PS5 Gameplay and Graphics

Let‘s discuss exactly what you‘re missing out on by sticking with the PS4 version of NBA 2K23.

First and foremost, the graphics and presentation are significantly upgraded on PlayStation 5. Lighting, textures, player models – everything looks far more realistic. Side-by-side comparisons make PS4 visuals look almost cartoonish.

4K resolution and a solid 60 FPS framerate contribute to a much smoother and responsive feel on PS5 as well. Gameplay simply handles better when the game can fully leverage the additional horsepower.

Here‘s a quick visual comparison:

PS5 delivers a big leap visually that aligns with the real life NBA‘s broadcast quality. But how much does the on-stick gameplay actually change?

Well according to NBA 2K23 developer Mike Wang, the gameplay physics engine sees some nice improvements too:

• Better foot planting and pivots
• More responsive moves out of triple threat
• Enhanced transition play speed
• Better rim finishes through contact

These upgrades combine to make playing on PS5 feel easier and more seamless. Dribble moves connect more cleanly, passes fire off faster out of animations, and the overall pace better resembles an actual NBA game.

So while PS4 still plays a great game of basketball, PS5 offers a nice quality-of-life bump this year.

Is Upgrading to PS5 Worth It for NBA 2K23?

As a dedicated NBA 2K gamer, I believe upgrading to PS5 is worth it if you plan on investing heavily into MyCAREER, MyTEAM, or online play.

The visual leap adds a layer of immersion that pulls you deeper into the experience. And the tighter controls give you more confidence in executing skills against human competition.

However, if you mainly play offline modes like Play Now or MyNBA, you can probably hold off until later years when the feature gap potentially widens. The core offline gameplay is still extremely solid on PS4.

And considering the ongoing stock shortages, if getting a PS5 at retail pricing feels difficult then VCabsolutely continue enjoying 2K23 on your PS4. After all, you can still transfer over your main MyPLAYER once you do upgrade down the road.

But for serious fans planning to put in thousands of hours across modes, PLAYING the game on PlayStation 5 versus watching it on PS4 offers a heightened level of satisfaction.

The Verdict:

While PS4 and PS5 gamers cannot play NBA 2K23 together online, upgrading to next-gen provides visual, performance, and subtle gameplay improvements well worth it for hardcore fans. But more casual players can stick to PS4 this year without missing much.

Hopefully that gives you the complete breakdown! Feel free to reach out with any other NBA 2K questions. Whether dominating MyTEAM or rising to fame in MyCAREER, I‘m here to provide tips and insights to build up your skills and knowledge.