NBA THE RUN from Play by Play Studios brings us a fast-paced online 3v3 streetball game featuring 30+ NBA stars and fictional streetball legends. Learn more in our NBA The Run review!
NBA THE RUN from Play by Play Studios brings us a fast-paced online 3v3 streetball game featuring 30+ NBA stars and fictional streetball legends. You’ll be able to play Solos or Squads, with the first one having you control all three ballers on your own, and the second one will have you playing alongside gamers from around the world. The action will take place in streetball courts around the world, bringing the spotlight on spots such as Venice Beach or The Tenement.
The three game modes available at launch are known as Knockout Squads, Knockout Solos, and Knockout Friends. Knockout Squads is the one in which you’ll be taking control of one of the three ballers in a squad as you try to rise to the top. Knockout Solos will have you picking the ballers for your team of 3, and you’ll be switching between controlling them. As for Knockout Friends, it makes it possible to work on your own private tournament either by playing against the AI on your own, having friends join as you take on the AI, or going head-to-head against other gamers, for up to 48 players.
You’re probably wondering who the NBA players who will be available in the game at launch are, so here’s the list of 32 that are included right away:
Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets)
Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic)
Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors)
Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
Anthony Davis (Washington Wizards)
Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers)
Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets)
Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
Cooper Flagg (Dallas Mavericks)
Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers)
James Harden (Cleveland Cavaliers)
LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers)
Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)
Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)
Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
Amen Thompson (Houston Rockets)
Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)
Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
Trae Young (Washington Wizards)
You’ll be taking control of your baller by using the left analog stick as you pass the ball around by pressing the X button. You can pass to a specific teammate by combining this with the L1 button and the X and Circle buttons, and even pass off the backboard by pressing the L1 and Triangle buttons. The R2 button lets you sprint for a burst of speed. Shoot, dunk, or do a layup by pressing the Square button.
Advanced dunks can be performed by combining the L1, L2, R1, and Square buttons. You can try to protect the ball by using the L2 button. Use a style mode with the Circle button. You can perform an ankle breaker for a nasty dribble to humiliate your opponent by combining the L1 button and the right analog stick in any direction.
Trophy-wise, this release includes a full trophy list with a Platinum trophy for you to add to your collection. The list is split into 10 Bronze trophies, 9 Silver trophies, and 6 Gold trophies for you to work on. What will you need to do for this shiny Platinum? Some of the objectives to complete include reaching Rank 1, winning a Knockout Squads tournament, buying an item from the shop, assigning an outfit to a player, unlocking the fictitious street legends, winning 3 consecutive tournaments, earning 100,000 CRED, scoring 10,000 points, and activating In the Zone 20 times, to name some examples.
NBA THE RUN brings us a fast-paced online 3v3 streetball game featuring 30+ NBA stars and fictional streetball legends. You’ll be able to play Solos or Squads, with the first one having you control all three ballers on your own, and the second one will have you playing alongside gamers from around the world. The action will take place in streetball courts around the world, bringing the spotlight on spots such as Venice Beach or The Tenement.
The game includes 7 different street courts to play on, as well as 4 tournament final variants. With only 3 game modes, right now the game feels a bit barebones and needs to be improved. The announcer is also giving cringe whenever he opens his mouth, no matter how legendary he’s supposed to be. NBA THE RUN is out on PlayStation 5 with a $29.99 price tag. There’s also the NBA THE RUN Deluxe Edition Bundle available for $39.99, which, along with the base game, also includes the following:
Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors ‘09 Rookie Variant
Luka Dončić Dallas Mavericks ‘18 Rookie Variant
Kevin Durant Seattle Supersonics ‘07 Rookie Variant
1000 CRED in-game currency to purchase alternate jerseys, advanced dunks, taunts, and more
Disclaimer
This NBA THE RUN review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Play by Play Studios.
