NBA Playgrounds

 Xbox One
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. TrueAchievements
    May 12, 2017
    80
    NBA Playgrounds follows in the footsteps of games like NFL Blitz, FIFA Street, and (of course) NBA Jam. It takes a simple premise — over-the-top arcade sports — and nearly perfects it. It misses an easy layup by excluding invitation options online, but hopefully the promised patch arrives to bring this game closer to an all-time great.
  2. Forbes
    May 9, 2017
    80
    The courts and locations look outstanding. There's no real impact on gameplay from place to place, which is something that might have added some diversity, but the different lighting and filters help each court look unique.
  3. Destructoid
    May 9, 2017
    75
    Playgrounds certainly has its faults. Some of its mechanics are strangely hidden in mystery as I continue to miss layups that no professional should ever miss. But, in terms of off-the-wall two-on-two basketball, it can be a blast.

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2017
16
#16 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2017

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 30
  3. Negative: 11 out of 30
  1. EverydayIDecay
    May 20, 2017
    0
    Shooting is glitched and getting piece of shots do not effect whether go in or not. Meaning there are shots in the game that will go in noShooting is glitched and getting piece of shots do not effect whether go in or not. Meaning there are shots in the game that will go in no matter what even without the power shot and there are plays you play that make every single shot they take. With tremendous disappointment I am telling you the game is broken.… Full Review »
  2. criticadecanto
    May 11, 2017
    10
    Al principio es dificil agarrarle la mano. Y falta una mejor explicacion ddel tutorial. Pero una vez que le agarras la mano, es muy divertidoAl principio es dificil agarrarle la mano. Y falta una mejor explicacion ddel tutorial. Pero una vez que le agarras la mano, es muy divertido y adictivo. Muy buenos los graficos. Lo probe en switch.… Full Review »
  3. DONOTBUY
    Jan 7, 2018
    0
    I had to make an account just to voice my frustration about this game. I'm surprised other gamers have not called out NBA Playgrounds for itsI had to make an account just to voice my frustration about this game. I'm surprised other gamers have not called out NBA Playgrounds for its horrendous progression system that is essentially tied to lootboxes (or card packs).

    I understand people hated EA for added lootboxes in Star Wars Battlefront 2. At least EA backtracked on this and hero characters like Luke Skywalker, Rey etc were still playable offline if you didn't feel like grinding for them in online multiplayer.

    NBA Playgrounds is WORSE because every player is locked behind lootboxes (card packs). You are not even guaranteed to get your favorite player even if you grind for hours on end. Worse still, EVERY mode of the game is tied to lootboxes so I cannot even play as LeBron James or Stephen Curry offline or online.

    The worst part is that grinding for hours also does not guarantee that you will get the better players you want. I played this game for hours and I still haven't unlocked the players I want such as Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and Stephen Curry.

    The only current good player I have in my collection is Kyrie Irving and that's it. Worse still, whenever you open lootboxes (card packs) you can still attain duplicates. I obtained lots of duplicates for players I don't even want to play as.

    This type of progression system is a total disappointment for a game that's not even free to play. If you buy a game with money, you should expect to unlock content rather than hide them in a stupid gambling system. At least EA Sports only does this stuff in online game modes and not the entire game.

    Avoid playing this game. I'm normally a calm person but this game put me over the edge. It's worse than Battlefront 2 at launch and that's saying something!    … Full Review »
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