NBA Playgrounds Reviews
Not Good, Not good at all
NBA Playgrounds is fun, of that there is no doubt. It’s just that the fun doesn’t last all that long. After playing a few matches I simply had no motivation to have another without taking a break from it first. If you’re a huge basketball fan and you’re planning on playing a lot of local multiplayer, it’ll be far more appealing to you. If all you want is a game that will ease the itch for an over the top street basketball game in the same vein as NBA Jam then this will satisfy it somewhat. Just don’t expect it to become your favourite ever basketball game, because it has some way to go.
What you have here is a fast and fluid and for the most part fun two vs two arcade style basketball game for up to 4 players. Like Rocket League games are fast, with a 10 minute time period though you can tweak settings via the option menu if you so desire.
NBA Playgrounds is not the new NBA Jam replacement. It adds just enough complication to the basic mechanics so it isn't a game that anyone can pick up and play without experiencing one or two matches. The game is fun once you get used to the quirks, and even if the roster unlocking process isn't optimal, it ensures you'll have a reason to keep coming back. For arcade sports fans, NBA Playgrounds is worth a look.
With the latest update, NBA Playgrounds becomes an enjoyable arcade-style basketball game that is not as arcade-heavy as most of us thought it would be, but that is definitely a much, much better game than it was at launch. With the first massive patch out of the way, the game is probably going to get more patches for the rest of the year to add more players, more courts to play in, and hopefully, even more, improvements to the game's performance and resolution. If you want a basketball game to play at home or on the go, then you can certainly give this one a go.
While I had fun with the single-player, NBA Playgrounds is mostly a mess otherwise.
The Nintendo Switch version of NBA Playgrounds is probably the most inferior. While an entertaining romp with fun mechanics, a lack of content and fundamental patches keep this from being a slam dunk.
NBA Playgrounds plays well to the strengths of the Nintendo Switch, providing a fun multiplayer basketball game, with authentic players and commentary. Difficulty spikes in solo play are too steep to ignore, though, and the current absence of online play greatly diminishes long-term viability. A great game is here, but not yet at the surface.
In summary, NBA Playgrounds is a really fun and quirky title. The lack of online play at launch is a big omission and although the game lacks replayability, the arcade aesthetics, easy to use controls and whirlwind gameplay make this game extremely enjoyable in short bursts. I found the game better on handheld rather than playing off a TV, due to its ‘on the move' vibe, and in that respect, it's undoubtedly a nice game to just unwind with and enjoy for what it is.
NBA Playgrounds is fun with friends...and that's about it, playing this on single player mode is nothing short of disappointing due to the unasked for "players on stickers" mechanic, enormous loading times between matches which also affect the multiplayer mode and the for time still absent online mode make this a game that will not appeal to those looking for an intense and action-packed arcade basketball game.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The smattering of flaws aside, NBA Playgrounds manages to be a fun multiplayer street hoops experience that is at least partially successful in recapturing the charm of NBA Jam. Player decks and lottery pick meter are subtle but effective elements to help give the game a bit of its own character.
NBA Playgrounds is an average arcade game that's best enjoyed in local multiplayer with friends. Otherwise, there's not much to offer compared to the competition.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
The best analogy for NBA Playgrounds is that it's like a leaky ship. The exterior, with its charm and aesthetically pleasing look, hides an interior rife with small missteps and annoyances.
NBA Playgrounds is a game that you will undoubtedly enjoy playing better against your friends than against AI, if you are a BasketBall fan and want to test your skills against your friends give it a try, you may be interested.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
NBA Playgrounds is a game that is instantly playable - but the more you chip away at it, the more you're disappointed by the lack of content at release. It can be fantastic to pick up and play when you’re with a group of friends, but the lack of online multiplayer at launch means you’ll find yourself enjoying Playgrounds less and less very quickly.
NBA Playgrounds is a conflicted game, it tries to cater to two different audiences at once, but in doing so weakens the overall experience and therefore appeals to neither. It did succeed in making me want to play an NBA game; just not this one.
NBA Playgrounds is let down by several little things, but most chiefly by the singular mode on offer. If they launched with some more fun modes to embrace the irreverent tone the game clearly wants to go for, or add them later for some added value, then the game might have some staying power.
If you like NBA Street and NBA Jam, you will enjoy NBA Playgrounds. Just be warned though, that unless you happen to be lucky with your location and can join random opponents in the online matchmaking, you are going to be playing this by yourself until future updates expand the game.
There is no career or story mode, and really no options for customizing a game beyond how long it goes on for or how many points you need to win.
NBA Playgrounds is a fine arcade baller that wears its inspirations clearly on its sleeveless sleeves and helps that it boasts a representative NBA roster for fun mix-and-match court battles.