NBA 2K21

22 Simulation games like NBA 2K21 that you should try

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We filtered the 32 games similar to NBA 2K21 down to the 22 that fit the “Simulation” category. Need for Speed™ Payback, Goat Simulator 3 and Wobbly Life top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to NBA 2K21.

iRank50/ 100

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GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

Tags

CompetitiveNarrativeMultiplayerSolo

Year 2020Dev Visual Concepts

Stores

Steam ↗Epic ↗Xbox ↗PS ↗Nintendo ↗

Quick answer

Within the “Simulation” category, the closest game to NBA 2K21 is Need for Speed™ Payback — scoring 48/100 on our similarity scale. Goat Simulator 3 and Wobbly Life follow close behind.

#1Need for Speed™ Payback48 #2Goat Simulator 385 #3Wobbly Life84 #4Insurgency: Sandstorm82 #5Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis82

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The best simulation games like NBA 2K21

22 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™ Payback

48

Need for Speed™ Payback

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

#2Goat Simulator 3

85

Goat Simulator 3

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

84

Wobbly Life

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

#4Insurgency: Sandstorm

82

Insurgency: Sandstorm

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

Steam Epic Xbox

#5Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis

82

Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis

GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeOpen WorldThird Person

Steam👍 80%· 6.2KIGDB90· 1

Year 2001Dev Bohemia Interactive Studio · CodemastersOn PC

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

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

82

Schedule I

GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

Co-opMultiplayerMeleeOpen WorldManagementSkill Tree

Steam👍 98%· 298KRAWG👍 73%· 41

Year 2025Dev TVGSPlaytime ~6hOn PC

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

≠ Stands apart with adventure storytelling, stealth mechanics and ranged combat, while skipping sports simulation

81

Arma 3

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

#8America's Army 3

81

America's Army 3

GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeOpen World

Steam👍 71%· 2.5KRAWG👍 12%· 34MC70

Year 2009Dev U.S. ArmyPlaytime ~1hOn PC

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

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

#9Space Trader: Merchant Marine

81

Space Trader: Merchant Marine

GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldSkill TreeManagement3D

Steam👍 50%· 641RAWG👍 17%· 29

Year 2008Dev Meridian4Playtime ~1hOn PC

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

≠ Its own twist: ranged combat, setting cyberpunk and setting scifi, while skipping sports simulation

#10Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising

81

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising

GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeOpen World

Steam👍 69%· 2.5KRAWG👍 25%· 172MC76IGDB79· 5

Year 2009Dev CodemastersPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

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

#11Agricultural Simulator 2011: Extended Edition

79

Agricultural Simulator 2011: Extended Edition

GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

SoloMultiplayerMeleeOpen WorldCozy

Steam👍 50%· 183

Year 2011Dev United Independent Entertainment · LibrediaPlaytime ~1hOn PC

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

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, cozy, relaxing feel and vibe casual, while skipping sports simulation

#12I Expect You To Die

79

I Expect You To Die

GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldHardcore

Steam👍 94%· 2.8KRAWG👍 87%· 76MC76IGDB80· 6OC83· 13

Year 2016Dev Schell GamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS

✓ Both are immersive sims — sharing deep simulation, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, adventure storytelling and punishing difficulty, while skipping sports simulation

78

Teardown

GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

SoloMultiplayerCo-opMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldThird Person3D

Steam👍 96%· 130KRAWG👍 85%· 220MC80IGDB83· 3OC80· 35

Year 2022Dev Tuxedo LabsPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS

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

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, puzzle design and precision platforming, while skipping sports simulation

78

Flower

GenreActionSubgenreImmersive Sim

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldThird Person3D

Steam👍 80%· 5.0KIGDB83· 6OC87· 11

Year 2009Dev ThatGameCompany · Annapurna InteractiveOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · PC

✓ Both are immersive sims — sharing deep simulation, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Where it differs: brings adventure storytelling, puzzle design and vibe relaxing, while skipping sports simulation

#15Sniper Elite 5

77

Sniper Elite 5

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

Steam Epic Xbox

Complete list of simulation games like NBA 2K21

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with NBA 2K21, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Sniper Elite III

Sniper Elite III

Adventure · Shooter

Squad

Squad

FPS · Shooter

Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad

Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad

Shooter · FPS

Arma 2

Arma 2

Simulation · Shooter

X Rebirth

X Rebirth

Simulation · Shooter

Thief II: The Metal Age

Thief II: The Metal Age

Simulation · Shooter

Thief: Deadly Shadows

Thief: Deadly Shadows

Adventure · Simulation

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Rankings in the same genre

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