A month after the full-fledged NBA 2K25 hit consoles and PC, the popular basketball sim is returning to Apple Arcade in a stripped-down but (probably) still intriguing form.

(Update, October 9: Check out our in-depth review of NBA 2K25!)

While the original NBA 2K25 release offered a complete basketball experience for multiple platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch consoles and PC, the upcoming Arcade Edition is once again exclusive to Apple devices. Unfortunately for those hoping for a release outside of Apple’s walled ecosystem, this new development nails the door shut on the prospects of a port for Android devices. Sorry, Android users — better luck next year.

Set to launch on October 3, the NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition will be available to download for Apple Arcade subscribers across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. This year’s cover athlete is Boston Celtics star and reigning NBA champion Jayson Tatum, who also graced the cover of the NBA 2K25 Standard Edition for consoles and PC.

#NBA2K25 Arcade Edition coming soon to @AppleArcade 👀

Pre-register now 📲 https://t.co/oGdj7LT9XL pic.twitter.com/UFFmOGsgg0

— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) September 9, 2024

You may already pre-register ahead of the game’s release

The NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition is compatible on the following Apple devices:

• iPhone: iOS 13.0 or later
• iPad: iPad OS 13.0 or later
• iPod Touch: iOS 13.0 or later
• Mac: macOS 11.0 or later
• Apple TV: tvOS 13.0 or later
• Apple Vision: visionOS 1.0 or later

New to the NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition is The Neighborhood, a cornerstone of the NBA 2K franchise. Making its mobile debut, this dynamic multiplayer hub offers a variety of ways to compete against other players, from one-on-one match-ups to team-based tournaments and activities.

We’re not sure how this mode will play out, or if it will allow you to play with players on previous-gen consoles (probably not!), but it’s likely that The Neighborhood will primarily be accessible through Apple’s Game Center. Previous iterations of The Neighborhood allowed you to compete in basketball games, ride bikes, buy clothing, and more, online with friends.

SEE ALSO: The Apple iPhone 16 series is here: Pricing, availability, and features

Besides The Neighborhood launching for the first time on mobile, the NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition’s new features include updated rosters, upgrades and quality-of-life improvements to MyCareer with new character customizations, and a revamped Greatest mode.

However, based on our experience with last year’s NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition, players can expect a more simplified and toned-down experience compared to the console and PC versions. Think of it as a more casual, mobile-friendly take on the hit basketball sim.

And at no additional cost for Apple Arcade subscribers, it’s a relatively affordable option compared to the hefty price tag of the console versions. For better or worse, it won’t be like the App Store versions of Resident Evil Village and Resident Evil 4 Remake, which are on a par with their current-gen counterparts and cost up to $60, or roughly P3,385, to own.

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