NBA THE RUN Keyart
NBA THE RUN – now hitting the streets
For years, basketball fans have largely had one destination when it comes to virtual hoops. But a new challenger is stepping onto the blacktop, and NBA THE RUN is here to do things a little differently.
NBA THE RUN is available now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC, ditching the traditional five-on-five format in favour of fast, flashy and fiercely competitive 3v3 streetball. Built around online multiplayer, spectacular highlights and iconic outdoor courts, this latest basketball title wants players to leave the arena behind and prove themselves where reputations are really made – on the street.
At A Glance
Game: NBA THE RUN
Developer: Play By Play Studios
Publisher: Play By Play Studios
Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC
Price: £24.99
Genre: Sports / Street Basketball
Forget The Hardwood – The Streets Are Calling
NBA THE RUN takes some of the biggest stars in basketball and drops them into a very different environment.
Instead of packed NBA arenas and full-length matches, players compete in quick-fire 3v3 contests on famous streetball courts from around the globe. From Venice Beach to international locations inspired by real-world basketball culture, every match is designed to feel more personal, more intense and far less predictable than a traditional game.
Expect to find a game in which the focus is firmly on momentum, style and skill, rewarding players who can pull off spectacular plays under pressure.
Built Around Online Competition
At the heart of NBA THE RUN sits a competitive multiplayer structure built around Knockout Tournaments.
Players can jump in solo or squad up with friends as they attempt to climb through online brackets, earning victories, building reputation and chasing GOAT status. Every match matters, with progression tied directly to your success on the court.
but Play By Play Studios is also placing a heavy emphasis on responsiveness, with rollback netcode designed to ensure that dribbles, passes, dunks and defensive plays feel immediate, even in online competition. For a game built around split-second reactions and flashy skill moves, that could prove crucial.
A Different Kind Of Basketball Alternative
It’s impossible to talk about a new basketball game without mentioning the giant shadow cast by the NBA 2K series.
Rather than trying to directly compete with the full simulation experience offered elsewhere, NBA THE RUN is carving out its own lane. Streetball culture, quick matches and accessible 3v3 gameplay create a very different proposition, one that may appeal to players looking for something faster and less structured than a traditional basketball sim.
Whether it can build a long-term community remains to be seen, but the concept certainly offers something fresh for basketball fans looking for a change of scenery.
NBA THE RUN is available now on Xbox Series X|S (through the Xbox Store), PlayStation 5 and PC for £24.99. Our review of NBA THE RUN is on the way.
You won’t find NBA THE RUN on Game Pass at launch, and it doesn’t come complete with Xbox Play Anywhere support either.