NBA The Run Review: A Frantic, Flawed Street Ball Revival

Basketball games have long been defined by two distinct paths: the sim-heavy simulation of the 2K series and the high-flying, arcade-style chaos of games like NBA Jam or NBA Street. NBA The Run, which launched on Steam last week from Play by Play Studios, attempts to carve out a spot in the latter category. It is a 3-on-3 throwback that prioritizes flashy dunks, ankle breakers, and a street-ball aesthetic, narrated by the legendary Bobbito Garcia—better known as DJ Cucumber Slice.

However, while the game captures the visual flair of its predecessors, it is currently struggling to balance its arcade sensibilities with a rigid, esports-focused competitive structure. For a game that feels built for fun, it treats its players with the intensity of a top-tier tactical shooter.

The Squads Struggle

The primary way to experience NBA The Run is through its online squad mode. In this format, six players take to the court, each controlling a single character. While this setup can shine on a couch with friends, it is a frequent disaster when playing with strangers. Without a ping system or voice chat, teams often devolve into a chaotic mess where every player is hunting for points, launching half-court shots, and sprinting aimlessly.

It feels like a rejection of the game's own identity. Street ball, by definition, is a casual reprieve from organized structure, yet The Run insists on tracking win rates and rank points at every turn. Because it lacks a tutorial, new players are essentially thrown into these competitive matches without knowing the basics, leading to a frustrating barrier to entry.

Finding the Fun in Solos

If you are looking for a more manageable experience, the 1v1 solo mode is a significantly better way to play. Here, you control the entire team, swapping between players with simple passes. This format allows for actual tactical play: you can park a 7'7 giant like El Gigante in the paint to block shots, then dish the ball out to a sharp-shooting pro like Jaylen Brown. Because you control the entire rotation, the game finally feels like it has some depth.

The game’s saving grace is its changing win conditions. Each match brings new rules—such as making dunks worth three points or limiting the value of jump shots—which forces you to adapt your playstyle on the fly. These gimmicks are the most creative part of the package, though they are often undermined by the game's obsession with competitive performance.

Is it Worth Your Time?

NBA The Run has the tools for greatness. The mechanics for alley-oops, backboard passes, and shoves feel responsive and rewarding. But the lack of an offline "Be a Legend" mode or custom character progression leaves the game feeling hollow for solo players who just want to unwind. It is a frantic, stylish, and occasionally brilliant arcade experiment, but until it leans further into the "street" spirit and away from the pressure of competitive leaderboards, it remains a messy, albeit charming, tribute to a lost era of basketball games.