Shaq dominates the NBA 2K18 Legend Edition cover

Boom Shaq-alaka! 2K Sports today has announced that Shaquille O’Neal has been chosen to grace the cover of NBA 2K18 Legend Edition.

The $99 NBA 2K Legend Edition offers a few upgrades over the plain old boring $59 Standard Edition and includes physical and digital items such as Shq-related memorabilia and in-game content. Those who upgrade to the $149 Legend Edition Gold , get even more!  Take a look at the handy dandy infographic for the breakdown. Only the PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch versions will have options for the digital and retail Legend and Legend Edition Gold, though the standard edition will also be available for the PS3 and Xbox 360.  The game is scheduled to launch on September 15th, 2017.

See the details and box shots of both editions and versions below.

Box shots of the Legend and Legend Edition Gold:

2K today announced that NBA 2K will feature Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal on the cover of the NBA 2K18 Legend Edition. This special edition of the top-rated NBA video game simulation series for the last 16 years* gives the court to the big man who needs no introduction, ?The Diesel?The Big Aristotle?Superman?Shaq Daddy?? with special Shaq-themed memorabilia and content, extending his legacy as the most dominant center in NBA history.

?I want to thank NBA 2K for their continuous support of my basketball and broadcast career,? said O?Neal, whose Hall of Fame enshrinement late last year celebrates a storied 19-year career. ?I?m excited to be on the cover of the NBA 2K18 Legend Edition and I hope my fans have a blast playing it up big man style and re-creating my most legendary in-game moments!?

Fans who pre-order the NBA 2K18 Legend Edition and NBA 2K18 Legend Edition Gold at participating North American retail and online vendors receive Early Tip-Off Access, ensuring they receive their copy and in-game bonuses four days early beginning on September 15, 2017.

The NBA 2K18 Legend Edition includes special Shaq memorabilia and in-game content, including:

Physical Items:

• Limited-edition Shaq poster;
• 5 Panini trading cards;
• Exclusive stickers.

Digital Content:

• 100,000 Virtual Currency;
• 20 Weekly MyTEAM Packs;
• Shaq in-game items;
• And more!

Gamers who pre-order the NBA 2K18 Legend Edition Gold will receive even more exclusive Shaq memorabilia and in-game content, including:

Physical Items:

• Limited-edition Shaq Poster;
• Lenticular;
• 10 Panini trading cards;
• Exclusive stickers.

Digital Content:

• 250,000 Virtual Currency;
• 40 Weekly MyTEAM Packs;
• Shaq in-game items;
• And more!

O?Neal?s Legend Edition appearance on NBA 2K18 marks the third NBA 2K cover appearance for the 15-time NBA All-Star and 14-time All-NBA selection. O’Neal, who played 19 NBA seasons, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

The NBA 2K18 Legend Edition and Legend Edition Gold will be available in both digital and physical formats for $99.99 and $149.99, respectively, on PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One. The NBA 2K18 Legend Edition Gold physical edition is available exclusively at GameStop.

Developed by Visual Concepts, NBA 2K18 is not yet rated by the ESRB. NBA 2K18 will be available for PlayStation 4 system and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC platforms on September 19, 2017.

Follow @NBA2K on social media for the latest NBA 2K18 news.

*According to 2000 – 2017 Metacritic.com and Gamerankings.com.