Start playing 'NBA 2K17' a week before release date through MyCareer mode

Bryan Wiedey

Start playing 'NBA 2K17' a week before release date through MyCareer mode image

"NBA 2K17" doesn't release for another week, but a free download now available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will let you start the story mode and carry progress made over to the full game.

MORE: The top rated players in "NBA 2K17"

"The Prelude" is the beginning portion of the MyCareer story and involves the introduction of the main character and the college portion of the mode. There are 10 universities licensed to appear in "2K17."

Here's a look:

The new mobile companion app called "MyNBA2K17" is also out now and one of its features is face-scanning which can be taken advantage of immediately. Users can upload their own likeness into the game to utilize as the MyPlayer character that appears in MyCareer and other modes including MyPark, MyGM, and Pro-Am.

After mixed reception to Spike Lee's MyCareer in "2K16," the development team at Visual Concepts turned to one of the writers of Creed to script and direct the interactive story in "2K17." Aaron Covington is reunited with the star of that film, Michael B. Jordan, who here has a featured role alongside the user's created character

MORE: Watch the awesome "NBA2K17" trailer

"NBA 2K17" will be the second-earliest release ever for an NBA-licensed game  when it comes out Sept. 16. Paul George is on the cover of the standard edition, and Kobe Bryant is celebrated with the Legend Edition. The game will have a new feature allowing for league expansion in the Franchise modes. Amazon Prime members can pre-order any version of "2K17" for 20 percent off.

Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the Press Row Podcast, and be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.

Bryan Wiedey

Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is a regular participant in the Press Row Podcast and Press Row Hangout shows, and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.