'NBA2K17' release date news: Standard game and Kobe-themed 'Legend Edition' arriving this September

(Facebook/NBA2K)"NBA 2K17" arrives later this year with a special edition honoring Kobe Bryant's NBA career.

"NBA 2K17," the 18th installment of the "NBA 2K" video game series, will be released this September. While there's still a few months before the official launch of "NBA 2K17," 2K Sports has already released a few details that preview the upcoming installment.

Last April, 2K announced plans to release the "NBA 2K17 Legend Edition" to commemorate the basketball legacy of 18-time NBA All-Star athlete Kobe Bryant. Bryant recently retired from the NBA after 20 years in the professional basketball league.

"It's a great honor to partner with 2K on the "NBA 2K17 Legend Edition.' As I walk off the NBA court for the final time, it's exciting to know my fans can continue to celebrate my lifelong career as a Los Angeles Laker," the athlete said.

The "NBA 2K17 Legend Edition" will come with special Kobe-themed items and in-game content. Physical items include a limited-edition Kobe poster, two Kobe Panini trading cards, and a Black Mamba game controller skin. Meanwhile, digital content includes 30,000 Virtual Currency, a MyTEAM Bundle that includes three packs with guaranteed Kobe cards, the Nike Kobe 11 retirement shoes, the Kobe #8 Mitchell and Ness jersey, and a Kobe hoodie. More goodies will also be announced closer to the official release date.

The "NBA 2K17 Legend Edition" is now available to pre-order for $79.99. Meanwhile, the standard "NBA 2K17" can be pre-ordered for $59.99.

2K has also announced that the cover stars for the standard "NBA 2K17" will be unveiled during the "NBA 2K16 Road to the Finals" $250,000 champion event this June.

More details on the upcoming "NBA 2K17" will be revealed in the coming months.

"NBA 2K17" will be released in September 2016. It will be available to play for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and the Microsoft Windows PC.

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