12 Online games like NBA 2K21 that you should try

Games like NBA 2K21 · Find similar →

We filtered the 32 games similar to NBA 2K21 down to the 12 that fit the “Online” category. Need for Speed: Rivals, Goat Simulator 3 and Insurgency: Sandstorm top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to NBA 2K21.

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GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

The best online games like NBA 2K21

12 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to NBA 2K21. Each one has been evaluated across 16 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Need for Speed: Rivals

iRank78

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

MultiplayerSoloCo-opPvPOnlineOfflineMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldThird Person

Steam👍 76%· 10.0KIGDB80· 13OC80· 58

Year 2013Dev Ghost Games · Electronic ArtsOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · PC

✓ If you enjoyed NBA 2K21, expect sports simulation, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: racing gameplay, adventure storytelling and exploration and discovery, while skipping deep simulation

GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

MultiplayerCo-opOfflineOnlineSoloMeleeOpen WorldSkill Tree3D

Steam👍 98%· 15KRAWG👍 79%· 33OC72· 51

Year 2022Dev Coffee Stain StudiosPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are immersive sims — sharing deep simulation, open world exploration and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, sandbox freedom and vibe casual, while skipping sports simulation

Details →

Steam Epic

#3Insurgency: Sandstorm

iRank82

GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

MultiplayerCo-opOfflineSoloOnlineMeleeNarrativeOpen World

Steam👍 85%· 132KIGDB77· 6OC79· 58

Year 2018Dev New World Interactive · Focus EntertainmentOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the immersive sims cluster, with deep simulation, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: shooter, first-person shooting and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping sports simulation

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Steam Epic Xbox

#4Need for Speed™ Payback

iRank65

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

MultiplayerSoloCo-opPvPOnlineMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldThird Person

Steam👍 85%· 31KRAWG👍 43%· 741MC61OC60· 110

Year 2017Dev Ghost Games · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ If you enjoyed NBA 2K21, expect sports simulation, deep simulation and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: racing gameplay, sandbox freedom and adventure storytelling, while skipping competitive edge

GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

MultiplayerCo-opOnlineOfflineMeleeOpen World

Steam👍 97%· 34K

Year 2020Dev RubberBandGamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are immersive sims — sharing deep simulation, open world exploration and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, sandbox freedom and vibe casual, while skipping sports simulation

Details →

Steam Xbox

#6Arma 3

iRank80

GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

MultiplayerSoloCo-opOnlineMeleeOpen WorldThird Person

Steam👍 90%· 293KRAWG👍 75%· 399MC74IGDB73· 5

Year 2013Dev Bohemia InteractivePlaytime ~16hOn PC

✓ Same family of immersive sims: deep simulation, open world exploration and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings first-person shooting, shooter and sandbox freedom, while skipping sports simulation

GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeOpen WorldThird Person

Steam👍 84%· 29KIGDB81· 7OC78· 114

Year 2022Dev Rebellion DevelopmentsOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the immersive sims cluster, with deep simulation, open world exploration and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: shooter, first-person shooting and adventure storytelling, while skipping sports simulation

GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeOpen WorldThird Person

Steam👍 82%· 28KIGDB68· 12OC70· 61

Year 2014Dev Rebellion Developments · 505 GamesOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · PC

✓ Same family of immersive sims: deep simulation, open world exploration and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, shooter and first-person shooting, while skipping sports simulation

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

#9Dragon Ball: Xenoverse

iRank81

GenreActionSubgenreHack and Slash

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeOpen WorldSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 90%· 22KIGDB74· 10OC71· 46

Year 2015Dev Dimps · Bandai Namco EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · PC

✓ Shared with NBA 2K21: open world exploration, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings fighting mechanics, deep RPG systems and adventure storytelling, while skipping deep simulation

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Steam Xbox PS

#10Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

iRank75

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMultiplayerCo-opOnlineMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldSkill Tree3D

Steam👍 77%· 14KIGDB73· 6OC72· 147

Year 2023Dev Massive Entertainment · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn Xbox · PC · PS5

✓ Like NBA 2K21, it's known for strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: adventure storytelling, shooter and first-person shooting, while skipping deep simulation

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#11Far Cry 6

iRank75

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

Co-opMultiplayerSoloOnlineMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldSkill TreeManagement3D

Steam👍 71%· 34KIGDB82· 11OC77· 185

Year 2021Dev Ubisoft Toronto · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Shared with NBA 2K21: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: shooter, first-person shooting and adventure storytelling, while skipping deep simulation

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

Co-opSoloMultiplayerOnlineMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldThird Person

Steam👍 84%· 11KIGDB73· 12OC74· 93

Year 2018Dev Rebellion DevelopmentsOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Shared with NBA 2K21: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, puzzle design and shooter, while skipping deep simulation

Details →

Steam PS Nintendo

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