NBA The Run Reviews
NBA The Run is just a fun arcade basketball game and we've been itching for a new one for a while. There's room for improvement for sure and the developer is already looking into adding more modes.
NBA The Run is a fun game that’s hampered by stick-thin features. If you can gather some friends who don’t mind spending $30 for a single mode, you’ll have a fun time. Set up a private lobby, let the AI fill in as needed, and have yourself a ball. However, if you’re going into the experience solo, or with two other buds hoping to conquer an online bracket, I must advise against it. The gameplay is terrific, and I have no doubt future iterations (should Play by Play Studios greenlight a sequel) will only improve on this foundation. But NBA The Run, as presently constructed, just doesn’t have the roster depth needed to go the distance. The bright side: There’s always next year.
All things considered, it's safe to say that Play by Play Studios has crafted a product with a strong identity, filling a void longtime fans have felt for over a decade: a hassle-free, arcade-style gaming experience. NBA The Run is an accessible, spectacular title, supported by an excellent online infrastructure. The obvious limitations of its limited content and a progression system that's far too flat and prone to grind prevent it from reaching the absolute pinnacle of the genre, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of those hoping for a more nuanced and nuanced structure. Despite these structural rough edges, we're faced with an excellent alternative to the classic "heavyweights" of today's sports games, all at a relatively accessible price.
Review in Italian | Read full review
NBA The Run had all the makings of a title that could fill a void in a sports niche that once enjoyed great appeal, and perhaps even serve as a successor of sorts. However, an excessive focus on online matches — even resorting to bots to fill teams — ultimately squandered the opportunity to create something fun and truly impressive.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
NBA The Run is a clear attempt to return to the spirit of NBA Street, with an affordable price and plenty of passion from the development team.
Review in Greek | Read full review
NBA THE RUN aporta algo diferente a los videojuegos deportivos, ya que busca ofrecer una experiencia más dinámica y visualmente atractiva sin tener que preocuparse por un sinfín de reglas del juego.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
NBA THE RUN falls with purpose instead of competing head-on with NBA 2K; it's a faster, more digestible option that basks in the glory of street basketball. It is very effective. The responsive controls, varied player archetypes, realistic NBA roster, and fast-paced action offer a strong foundation that's enjoyable to play.
NBA The Run is a project that knows exactly what it wants to be: it isn’t a simulator, nor does it try to be a forced revival of NBA Street, but rather a competitive arcade game that knows exactly what to offer the player: short matches, a fast pace, clutch moments, intuitive controls and solid gameplay, all set against a streetball atmosphere. The game works because it wholeheartedly embraces its limitations: it doesn’t offer immense tactical depth, and it isn’t designed for those who want to devise sophisticated strategies, but rather for those who want to feel instantly at home on the court. The signature moves, the momentum system, the quick tournaments and the variety of set-ups make the experience replayable (it’s a shame there aren’t any proper single-player modes). The game isn’t revolutionary, but it manages to prove that a forgotten genre can be brought back to life if approached with honesty and the right ambition. NBA The Run is an engaging street basketball experience and is the perfect game to play whenever the mood takes you. For those who love the pace, the spectacle and the competitive edge, it’s well worth the price of admission!
Review in Italian | Read full review
NBA The Run has the potential to be a spiritual successor to games like NBA Jam or NBA Street, but in practice, it drops the ball just a little too often.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
NBA The Run delivers a fast-paced arcade basketball experience fans wanted for years, but it lacks an offline mode, has limited game modes, and offers few rewards, making it feel incomplete. However, these issues could be easily fixed to greatly improve its long-term value.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
NBA The Run is a fast-paced arcade basketball game that embraces chaotic streetball action over realism. Its simple design and instant accessibility make it easy for anyone to jump in, with players learning the basics within just a few matches. The tournament-style mode keeps gameplay fresh through randomized scoring rules that encourage different strategies each run, which can make it feel imbalanced for some. Despite its flaws, the game delivers plenty of fun, especially with friends.
The foundation is here for NBA The Run to become its own legend in the streets for years to come, Play By Play Studios just needs to spend some time giving the game more character and depth for it to get its legend status.
NBA The Run offers a fun few hours, but beyond the same tournament, a purely online structure, and limited game modes, there's little to do if you're looking for more.
NBA The Run is a vibrant, fun, and accessible return to the arcade sports genre that fans of classics like NBA Street will have a ton of fun playing. The action is frantic, the lack of microtransactions feels fair, and the online play really can be a blast. However, it’s worth noting that its always-online nature will also determine how much you enjoy the game. If you just want a quick, reliable online hoops game to play with friends, this is a great choice, but if you are looking for a solo experience that might bring back memories of NBA Street, this won’t be for you.
NBA The Run delivers fast arcade basketball with strong 3v3 action, rotating Knockout rules, and a roster that makes team choice count. Cred unlocks and no microtransactions are welcome, but the online-first design, lack of dedicated offline mode, and repeated tournament cycle leave the game depending on future support. It is best for anyone who wants quick online basketball tournaments more than a deep single-player sports game.
NBA THE RUN is a fun and promising title, which shows evident qualities but which, in its first iteration, still fails to fully express its full potential.
Review in Italian | Read full review
NBA THE RUN succeeds in achieving its primary goal: delivering a fun experience while remaining approachable and accessible to players of all skill levels. Its gameplay is engaging, the roster of NBA superstars is well-rounded, and the randomized rule-selection system proves to be an inspired addition that keeps matches fresh and unpredictable. Unfortunately, the game is held back by a number of shortcomings. The lack of dedicated single-player modes and a traditional Quick Match option is noticeable, while the overall experience offers less pure streetball action than many players might have expected. As a result, NBA THE RUN is far from a revolutionary entry in the sports gaming genre. Nevertheless, it deserves credit for bringing basketball fans back to the playground courts with a dedicated arcade-style experience, a type of game that has been largely absent from the market for quite some time.
Review in Italian | Read full review
NBA The Run is a decent arcade basketball game. It's not trying to replace simulation basketball games but rather provide an alternative experience focused on style, speed, and creativity. It fills a much-needed gap in the genre and shows great promise for future updates and expansions.
NBA THE RUN is a fun, arcade basketball game, and for players who are unable to grasp the complex mechanics of the mainstream NBA titles, it serves as an entry point for them to learn the basics and prepare for the main event. It tones down the mechanics but keeps things interesting with solid gameplay mechanics and a roguelike approach to its main gameplay mode. While it is fun in a lot of ways, it also lacks in a lot of ways. Missing out on single-player or even a couch co-op mode is a big disappointment. If you are looking for a fun, simple, but online basketball game, NBA THE RUN can offer hours of fun with its dynamic rules and cool visuals, but if you want something offline, you are best to hold out for a bit.
NBA THE RUN is a classic instance of style over substance, but that’s not to say it’s totally bereft of the latter. There’s a lot of game to wrap your palm around, it’s just stuck behind the same online infrastructure that so many other games are. Generally, it’s fine, and Play By Play have such a good opportunity to fill it out more with a solid launch and attentive follow-up to make these issues worth the trouble. I’ll return to it as much as I want, but I’ll need to see the value and reasoning for doing so.