Is NBA 2K22 Free with PS Plus in 2024?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a passionate NBA 2K gamer and content creator, one of the most common questions I‘ve gotten recently is whether the latest entry in the series, NBA 2K22, is still available for free as part of a PlayStation Plus subscription in 2024.

So let‘s take a close look at what the different PS Plus tiers currently offer in terms of free games, and specifically dive into NBA 2K22‘s availability across Essential, Extra, and Premium.

The Short Answer

No, NBA 2K22 is unfortunately no longer a monthly free game with even the highest Premium PS Plus subscription as of January 2023. It was previously offered for free in August 2022 to Essential subscribers, but has since been removed from the monthly lineups after its promotional period ended.

NBA 2K22‘s Performance and Popularity

As context, NBA 2K22 has been a massive success for 2K Games, selling over 10 million copies by May 2022 per Wikipedia. It currently has a 79 Metacritic score across platforms, indicating generally favorable reviews.

Units Sold10+ million
Metacritic Score79

It introduced major updates like a redesigned shot meter and more open-ended City mode with quests. Given its popularity, many PS Plus subscribers likely claimed it during its free release window.

Ongoing Shift in PS Plus Free Monthly Games

Historically, the base PS Plus Essential plan would get 2-3 free monthly games that subscribers could download and play as long as they maintained an active membership. NBA 2K22 was offered last August 2022 under this model.

However, since the launch of the revamped, more expensive PS Plus Extra and Premium tiers in June 2022, there has been an observable decline in quality and quantity for the Essential monthly free games.

As evidenced in January 2023, Essential subscribers now only get 3 games, none of which are big budget titles. Meanwhile, Extra and Premium provide access to 400+ downloadable PS4/PS5 games that seems to be drawing more investment.

So this signals a shift away from the base PS Plus Essential subscription being the main vehicle for free monthly games like NBA 2K22.

NBA 2K22‘s Availability on Extra and Premium PS Plus

The good news is that based on reports, NBA 2K22 seems to still be playable for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium tiers as it remains in the 400+ game catalog.

So existing Extra and Premium subscribers can likely still download and enjoy NBA 2K22 as part of their membership. However, once it‘s eventually removed from this back catalog, it will no longer be accessible.

And those with only the base PS Plus Essential plan lose access to NBA 2K22 unless it‘s offered again for another promotional period.

The Value of Upgrading to Higher Tiers

This demonstrates the additional value gamers now get from upgrading to PS Plus Extra or Premium tiers in 2024. For only $15 more per month, Extra subscribers gain a huge library of games plus day-one access to exciting exclusives like the new Star Wars: Jedi Survivor.

Premium goes even further at $18 per month, adding hundreds of beloved PS1, PS2, and PSP games to download or stream. This includes classics like the original Star Wars: Jedi Knight series.

So based on the declining Essential offerrings and wealth of content with Extra/Premium, PlayStation gamers have more incentive than ever to upgrade in 2024 if they haven‘t already.

The Future of NBA 2K on PS Plus

While we don‘t know if or when NBA 2K22 might be offered for free again in future, its successor NBA 2K23 will almost certainly get a similar PS Plus promotional release window in late 2023 or early 2024 based on past trends.

In fact, I speculate that 2K Games may directly tie in special NBA 2K23 bonuses like exclusive MyTeam card packs or currency for PS Plus members upon launch to drive sign-ups.

We‘ll have to wait and see what gets announced later this year!

The Bottom Line

I hope this analysis gave some more insightful clarity around NBA 2K22‘s current availability on PlayStation Plus in 2024 following major changes to the service‘s structure. While no longer a monthly free title, there‘s still decent value to be had across Extra and Premium tiers for basketball gaming fans.

And with the ever-popular NBA 2K series, we can likely continue expecting occasional promotions that offer the latest entries for free or at a discount to PS Plus members as added incentives from 2K and Sony.

*Data sourced from official PlayStation and 2K blogs, Wikipedia, and Metacritic

Let me know if you have any other PS Plus or NBA 2K-related topics you‘d like me to cover in future, cheers!

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.

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