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. keibyakko
    May 12, 2017
    8
    Buen juego en Switch. No veo un fallo en la dificultad de la AI, estoy cansado de juegos tan fáciles, y puedo decir que he jugado 2 horas y he ganado el 70% de los partidos, así que tan difícil no es, para mi esta ajustado. El modo online tampoco es un fallo para mí porque no juego online, juego solo o multijugador local, modos en los que el juego es muy divertido y excitante. El verdaderoBuen juego en Switch. No veo un fallo en la dificultad de la AI, estoy cansado de juegos tan fáciles, y puedo decir que he jugado 2 horas y he ganado el 70% de los partidos, así que tan difícil no es, para mi esta ajustado. El modo online tampoco es un fallo para mí porque no juego online, juego solo o multijugador local, modos en los que el juego es muy divertido y excitante. El verdadero fallo son los tiempos de carga antes del partido, unos 30 segundos mas o menos, se hacen largos pero dicen que están trabajando para mejorar eso. Muchos jugadores, buen balance de dificultad, excitacion pura cuando te salen los mates y los trucos más espectaculares, ilusión cuando abres un sobre y te toca un jugador que te gusta, buen sistema de experiencia, buenos gráficos en modo TV (que es donde lo estoy jugando) y estética muy graciosa, buen gameplay muy intuitivo, divertidísimo y loco tanto en un jugador como en multi. Para mí es un gran 8. (Casi no lo compro por los análisis que leía, menos mal que lo compré, me encanta y estará entre los mejores juegos para jugar 4 amigos en local)… Expand
  2. Revengaa
    May 11, 2017
    8
    Overall I think this is a great game. It's type of game that's easy to learn, but hard to master.
    I actually prefer this NBA Jam, as it's more challenging in terms of the mechanics and the AI - I found Jam far too easy.
    The main reason I picked up this game however, is for online play - which isn't available yet, but apparently is coming soon. If you're looking for a game that's a    Overall I think this is a great game. It's type of game that's easy to learn, but hard to master.
    I actually prefer this NBA Jam, as it's more challenging in terms of the mechanics and the AI - I found Jam far too easy.

    The main reason I picked up this game however, is for online play - which isn't available yet, but apparently is coming soon.

    If you're looking for a game that's a fun 'pick up and play' then this is for you!

    There only 2 things I think could be improved is 1. The load times. 2. The vibration of the joycons is a bit too much at times.    … Expand
  3. kesovitch
    May 10, 2017
    8
    I really like this game. Great fun as both a 1+AI and co-op. A bit of a steep learning curve, but if you read the instructions and play around for a while you'll get the hang of it. Earlier reviewers had problem with scoring shots. As what I get from it is that the sweetspot for shots and dunks depends on the characters abilities and that's why the timing is different for how long to keepI really like this game. Great fun as both a 1+AI and co-op. A bit of a steep learning curve, but if you read the instructions and play around for a while you'll get the hang of it. Earlier reviewers had problem with scoring shots. As what I get from it is that the sweetspot for shots and dunks depends on the characters abilities and that's why the timing is different for how long to keep the buttons pressed. Hints and visuals for shooting is the "too early" (hold down shoot button a bit longer) and "too late" (release shoot button earlier) texts appearing.

    The only thing I can complain about at this time is loading time. But Saber has already replied they're working on that to reddit users.    … Expand
  4. Cesarhawk
    Jul 23, 2017
    10
    Una manera divertida y desenfadada de jugar partidas de basket 2 contra 2. Buenos gráficos, variedad de jugadores, modo online, etc. Sin duda un juego que le viene como anillo al dedo a Nintendo Switch.
  5. BradXKH
    Aug 2, 2017
    8
    This is the first arcade basketball game for a Nintendo system since 2010's NBA Jam for the Wii. I understand that many people have nostalgic feelings for NBA Jam, but I'd rather play NBA Playgrounds to NBA Jam on the Wii any day. I've only got a Wii and a Switch, so NBA Playgrounds was surprisingly good after reading reviews to the contrary. That being said, here are the pluses andThis is the first arcade basketball game for a Nintendo system since 2010's NBA Jam for the Wii. I understand that many people have nostalgic feelings for NBA Jam, but I'd rather play NBA Playgrounds to NBA Jam on the Wii any day. I've only got a Wii and a Switch, so NBA Playgrounds was surprisingly good after reading reviews to the contrary. That being said, here are the pluses and minuses when compared just to that game from my perspective as a Wii and Switch owner:

    + (compared to NBA Jam on Wii)
    > It's more fun! Yes, the single player is longer on the Wii, but you have to play as the same team the whole time and can't mix players from different teams. That makes the Wii version very boring to play alone and you also can't play online. The NBA Playgrounds online feature adds endless play over NBA Jam. Yes, both are fun if you have someone to play with, but if you don't NBA Playgrounds is much better if you play on line.
    > User control is better. NBA Playgrounds lets you choose between dunking and other close up shots by holding ZR or not. NBA Jam feels like the sports equivalent of a "rail shooter." You can't control when you dunk vs. layup, etc.
    > Graphics (the graphics, at least in the newest update that added online) are crisper and clearer than the non-HD graphics on the Wii. The players are not as consistent as NBA Jam, but the backgrounds and animations are much better. I observed this both in console mode and in handheld mode. The issues with handheld mode seem to be fixed since the update.
    > It includes players from 2017 and many different eras of basketball rather than just 2010 and the 90s.
    > I actual prefer the music/sound/commentary overall to NBA Jam. NBA Jam had constant goal tending and shot clock violations with very annoying. NBA Playgrounds keeps the game moving with a 12 second shot clock (or faster if you get the lotto pick that speeds it up), but it doesn't seem to let you goal tend (somehow your player just misses the ball if you're too close to the hoop) and when the shot clock runs out there isn't an annoying buzzer or annoying commentary. Yes, the commentators are quite as iconic, but I like the fresh approach being tired of "boomchacalaka" after years of hearing it.
    > I prefer the Nintendo Switch controllers (all variations) to Wii controls (all variations). The Classic Controller Pro for the Wii was best, but it doesn't compare to the Pro Controller for the Switch.

    - (compared to NBA Jam on the Wii)
    > There are a lot more game modes in NBA Jam (though not all of them all that fun or an add to the main game -- Example: the one where you play until someone breaks a backboard isn't fun).
    > Consistency of how the players look and play is better on NBA Jam.
    > The overall polish of the menus is better on NBA Jam.

    All in all, I'm glad I sold NBA Jam for Wii and bought this because overall it was an upgrade.    … Expand
  6. brownieman182
    Jul 14, 2018
    10
    Brilliant. So easy to pick up and play. Doesn't overcomplicate anything and makes basketball fun.

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.
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  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.
    Read full review
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