- Publisher: Play by Play Studios
- Release Date: Jun 9, 2026
- Also On: PC, Xbox Series X
- Summary:
- Developer: Play by Play Studios
- Genre(s): Sports, Team, Basketball, Arcade
- # of players: Up to 6
- Cheats: On GameFAQs
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
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Positive: 0 out of 7
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Mixed: 7 out of 7
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Negative: 0 out of 7
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Jun 15, 2026NBA The Run does its best to make up for what it lacks with a high attention to detail that makes it easy to see the love for streetball culture. The gameplay, art style, and overall presentation hosted by the legendary DJ, Bobbito Garcia, feel like it all belongs, and that’s what matters. The love of the game is what’ll keep me playing, and it’s easy to feel the team’s love of the sport. Play by Play made clear its plans for ongoing iteration without annualized releases, so hopefully many of these shortcomings can be rectified post-launch to make it the definitive streetball game it wants to be. As it is, it’s too barebones to wholeheartedly recommend, but there’s a great game of basketball waiting for you if you don’t mind only playing online matches.
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Jun 15, 2026NBA 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.
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Jun 16, 2026NBA: The Run succeeds as a focused arcade alternative to sports sims, even if some rough edges hold it back from greatness.
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Jun 10, 2026NBA The Run is a fast and fun take on the sport, capturing the arcade energy of its influences. While it shines on the court, the lack of content holds the package back. With no single‑player option, the only way to improve is by heading online and competing against others. The on‑court action may be a slam dunk, but off the court, it throws an airball, missing a major opportunity to broaden its appeal.
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Jun 25, 2026Hard to pick up and even harder to master NBA The Run offers a light amount of game in service of a deep level of systems for die-hards to appreciate. The core gameplay performs perfectly, rivalling games of the same sport with a huge budget. However, with a standoff-ish lack of tutorialisation and only three versions of one mode to play, this'll only be for you if you love the sport.
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Jun 15, 2026NBA The Run has the DNA of a true NBA Jam or NBA Street successor, but fumbles too often to truly shine. The gameplay loop is fun at its core, yet frustrating mechanics and always-online requirements constantly get in the way. With its grindy structure and questionable longevity, it’s hard to recommend at launch, especially if you’re looking for a lasting arcade basketball experience.
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Jun 24, 2026NBA 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.