Arcade basketball will return for fans that are eager to experience something different than a simulation and the grind. NBA THE RUN will release in 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Today, Play by Play Studios released a new teaser trailer for the game that focused gameplay for Los Angeles Lakers Luka Doncic, Houston Rockets Kevin Durant, and Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic. Lamelo Ball is also included in the trailer, who plays for the Charlotte Hornets. This remixed teaser trailer also includes narration from the in-game commentator, Bobbito Garcia, and it shows some of the court designs and environments. You can check out the video below.
What and Who is NBA THE RUN?
NBA THE RUN is an arcade basketball, meaning the action on the court is fast-paced and outlandish in comparison to the real thing. The game will feature 3v3 street basketball that features online play that Play by Play Studios is stating will be, "Packed with posterizing moments, ankle-breaking tricks, and a unique, signature style."
Play by Play Studios consists of a team lead by former Electronic Arts veterans. EA has not released any basketball game since 2018 with NBA Live 19 being the last game. EA was synonymous with arcade games twenty years ago featuring NFL Street and NBA Street. This team worked on NBA Street, Battlefield, Star Wars and God of War (Not EA, obviously).
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NBA THE RUN Brings Back Licensed NBA 3v3
A new era of arcade basketball dunks into the scene, officially licensed and ready to ignite the court.
The History of Arcade Basketball
One of the biggest basketball games, if not the go-to in the 1980s, was Konami's Double Dribble. This was fast paced, but aimed to be simulation basketball. The game that broke out in the arcades was Arch Rivals, which would get a home release. The issues with these early games, much like most sports games of the times, was the lack of licensed teams and players. When moving into the early 1990s, games would feature one or two official players to put on the cover of a game.
Play by Play Studios consists of a team lead by former Electronic Arts veterans.
It all came together for one game that went all in and simply dominated the sports arcade and home space. NBA Jam, while it took the influence from Arch Rivals, provided 2-on-2, fast-paced, over-the-top NBA licensed basketball with graphics that were unseen in a sports game. The series would see sequels with NBA Jam Tournament Edition and NBA Hangtime. Once 3D graphics came about, sports fans moved more towards replicating the real thing with sports games, since the capability was there for more simulation basketball.
EA introduced its BIG series in the mid 2000s, which saw a rebirth of arcade sports titles across the board. NBA Street had multiple releases with 3-on-3 basketball with streetball environments. Competitors such as Ballers were also available, and arcade sports games had returned for a few years. These games still hold up really well today. In more recent times, NBA Playgrounds hoped to recapture that, but there were heavy microtransactions in these games and the longevity wasn't there.
Notable Arcade Basketball Games
Arch Rivals
NBA Jam
NBA Jam Tournament Edition
NBA Hangtime
NBA Street
Ballers
NBA Playgrounds
NBA THE RUN is available to be Wishlisted now on Steam. NBA THE RUN will feature licensed NBA stars along with fantasy creations that are based on street ball legends. The heart of the game will be the Knockout Tournaments, which can be played solo or with a squad. Every match will provide a new court with new rules. Stack wins, earn cred and aim to be the GOAT. The game looks to be online only, but confirmation will be needed to see if an offline way to play is possible. The online element is powered by true rollback netcode, much like what is seen in modern fighting games.