NBA Playgrounds

 Switch
User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 95 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 48 out of 95
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 95
  3. Negative: 26 out of 95

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  1. wake911
    May 11, 2017
    5
    NBA Playground brings back MANY memories of NBA JAM for me.

    Pros: -Fun Game play: Easy to pick up and play. -Ability to play as current and former players is really fun. -Games go pretty quick. -Very challenging, which is fun. -Nearly unlimited options in making your team. Cons: -ALL current players should be available (that were intended to be in the game) Having to play for    NBA Playground brings back MANY memories of NBA JAM for me.

    Pros:
    -Fun Game play: Easy to pick up and play.
    -Ability to play as current and former players is really fun.
    -Games go pretty quick.
    -Very challenging, which is fun.
    -Nearly unlimited options in making your team.

    Cons:
    -ALL current players should be available (that were intended to be in the game) Having to play for hours to "hope" to open up your current home team players is ridiculous and terrible design decision.
    - Questionable AI. sometimes the "bonuses" string together for the AI in ways that are ridiculous, near to "controller throwing" level of frustration. Other times it's like you are playing against a group of little kids in skill level (this is against the same team in a tournament)
    - Unreal how long it takes to load EACH game you play. Wow, it's a set the controller down, go grab a drink, get some snacks, come back and maybe it will be ready to play.

    Overall: Worth the $20, I bought for a new version of NBA JAM, which I half got. but I'm very unhappy with how you get your players to choose from. I would 100% understand if all the current players are available, and through game play you have to unlock the legends and former players. Seems like a terrible model for the game, that I see as a design decision, not a part of the "rushed to market" I've heard about.

    About the Shot mechanics, i've see others mention. They were VERY tough the first few games, but have gotten it down for jump shots. I still struggle with Dunks and Alley Oops, but it is getting easier as it goes on.

    I did not purchase for on-line play, so have no comment on the on-line play aspect.    … Expand
  2. Syl20
    May 10, 2017
    6
    Fun but not GREAT fun!

    I got it on switch cause I tought it would be a fun game to play for a couple of minutes at a time. It is indeed fun but there's some major flaws... First, I didn't play/see it on other consoles but on the switch the graphics are blurry to a point I tought I suddenly had a troubled vision for whatever reason. Loading times are indeed waaaaaay too long...    Fun but not GREAT fun!

    I got it on switch cause I tought it would be a fun game to play for a couple of minutes at a time.
    It is indeed fun but there's some major flaws...

    First, I didn't play/see it on other consoles but on the switch the graphics are blurry to a point I tought I suddenly had a troubled vision for whatever reason.
    Loading times are indeed waaaaaay too long... (Mario Kart can run maps within 10 secs, this game takes like 30-40secs to load a little court...)

    The other thing I didn't see mentioned here that annoys me is the rumble feature which is exagerated and annoying!
    It's so intense that it even gets loud!

    There's no options to tune it down a bit or even remove it.
    (I fear it might end up being a battery life hog in handheld mode...)

    All in all, I'd give the game a 6/10 which could end up being a 7 if they can fix some stuff like washed out graphics/loading times and the possibility to modify rumble feature.

    (And I could have maybe even given it a 8 had it been 10$ less...)    … Expand
  3. DJFANatic
    May 13, 2017
    6
    When I first saw the trailer of NBA Playgrounds I thought to myself, "Oh wow, this is a must buy, it reminds me so much of NBA JAM", boy was I disappointed... At first the game looks fun, some jams are really cool, the AI makes moves that don't even require a ball, but the first fun cool impression collapses pretty fast.
    I'm gonna start with the many, many cons I have encountered so far.    When I first saw the trailer of NBA Playgrounds I thought to myself, "Oh wow, this is a must buy, it reminds me so much of NBA JAM", boy was I disappointed... At first the game looks fun, some jams are really cool, the AI makes moves that don't even require a ball, but the first fun cool impression collapses pretty fast.
    I'm gonna start with the many, many cons I have encountered so far.
    Let's begin with... the options menu, if we may call it that way, where there is absolutely nothing you can change, except the sound volume, surprisingly enough I have a remote control. The other option you can change is commentary on/off. I thought "Why would anyone want to turn off the commentary", after 3 games I wanted to turn it off. The number of lines feels like I'm back to 1994, you can hear all the lines in just one match, oh yes that is true babyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.
    I don't like that there are hardly any modes you can play, after you beat tournament mode, which happens pretty fast, you are stuck with only exhibition, which doesn't offer much. I can't start a solo training, or 1v1 or 21 or any other of the fun modes NBA JAM had to offer. There is absolutely nothing here, no big head mode or other fun stuff.
    Now let's move on to the gameplay. The main problem I have is that in order to execute a successful shot, you need to hold the button for just the right amount of time. The only problem is, you never know the right amount, no one teaches you, and nothing changes in a visual way if you somehow manage to hit that sweet spot and get an extra point. The roulette bonus system is fun, I like it so far, after all this is an arcade game, not a simulator, I don't agree as much with the extra points, who the AI manages to pull every time. I can't begin a training on my own, I can't practice, I can only play against a computer. And to mention, there is some kind of a tutorial which is pretty bad, and you can get to the training through the options menu :) You have to unlock new players by opening packs, which is a weird decision, I don't dislike it very much so far, I just find it unnecessary. In general the game feels like it was made in just few days without much depth, not even into the game play not even into the modes the game could offer. I was looking forward for this and hoping for a new NBA JAM, a game that may be 7 years old now, but damn, I would prefer playing JAM anytime than this. The game just feels cheap. Anyway I am still looking forward for the online mode, I believe I will be having much more fun against real players, and I am hoping to see more modes released over time, but let's get real, this is not gonna happen, the game is released just to collect some money and I doubt that it will receive any kind of further support.    … Expand
  4. MIDP
    May 14, 2017
    7
    This game is a lot of fun but has a few problems, some of which can probably be fixed soon.

    Pros: The game has a lot of good players, both old and new(I still haven't unlocked them all). The game is fun 2 on 2 Basketball, which should always be a fun time. Cons: So Shaq shooting 3's like there is no tomorrow needs to be fixed. Players who can't shoot 3's shouldn't be able to sink    This game is a lot of fun but has a few problems, some of which can probably be fixed soon.

    Pros:
    The game has a lot of good players, both old and new(I still haven't unlocked them all).
    The game is fun 2 on 2 Basketball, which should always be a fun time.

    Cons:
    So Shaq shooting 3's like there is no tomorrow needs to be fixed.
    Players who can't shoot 3's shouldn't be able to sink them so easily.
    Same should go for all players and their strengths-weaknesses. Part of what makes a game like this fun should be that it is easy to pick up, but hard to master. Using players strengths and weaknesses is one of those things which you should be able to use to your advantage when trying to master the game.

    Stealing the ball feels completely random.
    Getting "Perfect Shots" which gives you extra points feels even more random because the players animations change all the time, making it hard to know what a Perfect Shot is.

    Once you beat all tourneys and challenges, there is basically no way to get more player cards other than to grind away with regular games.
    You can speed this process up by playing first to 10 on rookie, but the game shouldn't feel like a chore to unlock players, it should be part of playing and having fun.

    Some players seem to be missing. Hopefully DLC could fix this, but I also understand if it has to do with licensing and whatnot.
    Where is:
    Klay Thompson
    Dennis Rodman
    Michael Jordan
    Manu Ginobli
    Tony Parker
    Tim Duncan
    Eddie Jones
    Ben Wallace
    Rasheed Wallace
    Ed Curry
    Richard Hamilton
    Charles Barkley
    Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
    Kobe Bryant
    Derek Fischer

    I get that they can't have all these, but MJ, Rodman, Kobe, Jabbar and Duncan feels pretty essential for a game like this. So hopefully they can get some DLC.

    Other than these things, the game is pretty fun and for the price it's well worth it if you like basketball games, or even if you don't I'd say.    … Expand
  5. M1N1B34R
    May 12, 2017
    7
    This game does look promising, i was expecting similar experience like NBA jam. however it offers quite different mechanic, it have a rather steep learning curve and could be rather frustrating at first, but you may enjoy a fun local multi player game once you passed the learning curve. Please note that currently the online multiplayer is still unavailable. The games encourage(or ratherThis game does look promising, i was expecting similar experience like NBA jam. however it offers quite different mechanic, it have a rather steep learning curve and could be rather frustrating at first, but you may enjoy a fun local multi player game once you passed the learning curve. Please note that currently the online multiplayer is still unavailable. The games encourage(or rather force) you to play the games to unlock all the player and moves available within it. compared with other switch games like mario kart, it have lower graphic although not bad and slower loading time. it might better to wait for a patch before buying this game.… Expand
  6. mfairhu1
    May 10, 2017
    7
    Boomshakalaka!!!

    An arcade basketball game for the Switch is here! Unfortunately it "throws up a brick" in certain aspects. Not as good as the legendary NBA Jam, but still it is v. satisfying to unlock and play using legends like Magic Johnson, John Stockton etc Only had chance to play solo on this on a docked Switch on a big screen. I think like many I was drawn to the NBA Jam    Boomshakalaka!!!

    An arcade basketball game for the Switch is here! Unfortunately it "throws up a brick" in certain aspects. Not as good as the legendary NBA Jam, but still it is v. satisfying to unlock and play using legends like Magic Johnson, John Stockton etc

    Only had chance to play solo on this on a docked Switch on a big screen. I think like many I was drawn to the NBA Jam comparisons and decided to buy this without reading the reviews. I remember having a lot of fun on the Megadrive playing NBA Jan against mates and absolutely loving the commentary.

    I reckon if you've bought this and intend to play against the AI you are going to be a little disappointed as the random nature of the power ups definitely make for an uneven game - hopefully this gets sorted in any patches that might come later. Some of the mechanics around the of timing dunks and shots are frustrating, but I think mastery will hopefully come in time.

    It takes a while to load between sections which is a bit of buzz killer, but not a deal breaker for me. I think the Switch is born to be a local multiplayer machine and I'm hoping that NBA Playgrounds will really sparkle in that respect. At the price it's being offered with a huge roster of players, I reckon it's a decent stab at the genre.    … Expand
  7. JJTX
    Mar 24, 2019
    7
    NBA Playgrounds' biggest flaw is that it isn't NBA Jam. It's slower and closer to "real" basketball. But it's a perfectly decent arcade-style NBA game on Nintendo Switch, and unless EA revives the Jam series again, it's all Switch players have for now.
  8. Stlouzilla
    Sep 6, 2017
    6
    Playgrounds seems trapped between two worlds. On one hand, it's zany, fun, and relatively accessible compared to the sports-sims games of EA. On the other, it's not as simple or intuitive as the comparisons to NBA Jam may suggest. There is plenty of fun to be had here, and it's a great "pick up and play" game, but with just a little more focus and polish it could have been a much morePlaygrounds seems trapped between two worlds. On one hand, it's zany, fun, and relatively accessible compared to the sports-sims games of EA. On the other, it's not as simple or intuitive as the comparisons to NBA Jam may suggest. There is plenty of fun to be had here, and it's a great "pick up and play" game, but with just a little more focus and polish it could have been a much more rewarding experience.… Expand
  9. Raxumotra
    Jul 29, 2017
    7
    Very enjoyable game, great graphics and play ability, except online where it gets very laggy and not really fun, I only wish they added more career mode or single player campaign, the price is ok for what you get, but do no expect many hours of fun. Please enjoy all video games.
  10. Desrouleaux
    Jul 8, 2017
    6
    The potential is there, but this game was overpriced for what it is. There is a lot of mistakes/glitches regarding the gameplay and the online mode missing makes this game boring after a while when you finished the short campaign. Still the potential is there if they fix the few mistakes (especially online) and add in the players we already know are there on PS, XBOX etc such as GiannisThe potential is there, but this game was overpriced for what it is. There is a lot of mistakes/glitches regarding the gameplay and the online mode missing makes this game boring after a while when you finished the short campaign. Still the potential is there if they fix the few mistakes (especially online) and add in the players we already know are there on PS, XBOX etc such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Klay Thompson etc.… Expand
  11. DrAdamX
    Nov 1, 2017
    7
    Not a bad game overall, graphics and animation are good. Even though, i would except the shooting form a bit better. In general it feels like the sequel to the NBA Jam but is missing "something" to consider it a great game...Still worth playing.
  12. joehi1
    Jan 18, 2018
    7
    NBA Playgrounds is by no means a bad game and the re-release of the special addition was a very nice treat for Saber Interactive to do for Switch owners considering how poorly optimized the original Switch version was. Now I have not played the original NBA Playgrounds but from the rumors, the special edition improves on a fair amount. The gameplay is generally fun and quite reminiscent ofNBA Playgrounds is by no means a bad game and the re-release of the special addition was a very nice treat for Saber Interactive to do for Switch owners considering how poorly optimized the original Switch version was. Now I have not played the original NBA Playgrounds but from the rumors, the special edition improves on a fair amount. The gameplay is generally fun and quite reminiscent of the classic NBA Jam, though definitely not better than it. Gameplay is entertaining although AI responses to perform actions like the alley-oop could definitely use some work because the AI is very unresponsive. Frame rates are fairly smooth with slightly noticeable slowdowns occasionally in handheld mode though they did not take away from the experience. The handheld graphics are definitely blurrier then when the Switch is docked, however, they seem to still be fairly nice which I assume is an upgrade from the original edition. The concept of unlocking every character is a hit or miss to some people. To me, it's enjoyable because I always look forward to unlocking something new when I'm playing a game. With the large character roster and numerous tournament stages, you will definitely get your money's worth of gameplay out of NBA Playgrounds if you like playing some unconventional basketball. As of now, I have not tried out the online mode, so I will edit this review including my opinion of it once I have. The general level up system of the game feels a little too grind heavy, unfortunately, and character progression feels like a wasted addition to attempt to consume more of the players time. NBA Playground does a fairly good job at being a spiritual successor to NBA Jam with some minor technical and gameplay flaws. If you really like basketball or are looking for a fun game with a lot of content you will like NBA Playground, it's a great game that is held back by a few significant flaws.

    Cons
    AI needs some work
    Upgrade system for characters and levels is to grind heavy and feels shallow
    Slight framerate issues in handheld mode    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2017
51
#51 Most Shared Switch Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. NintendoWorldReport
    Jul 12, 2017
    60
    While I had fun with the single-player, NBA Playgrounds is mostly a mess otherwise. The basic gameplay requires specific timing that is never well articulated. Load times on the Switch version are nearly indefensibly long. For those hoping for some kind of modern-day NBA Jam-like experience from Playgrounds, look elsewhere. This is just a convoluted footnote in the modern arcade sports landscape.
    Read full review
  2. GamingTrend
    Jun 30, 2017
    50
    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.
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  3. Pocket Gamer UK
    Jun 27, 2017
    50
    NBA Playgrounds is a half-baked arcade basketball game that's lacking in content and features. Only the die-hard fans need apply.
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