
It’s been years since basketball gaming truly embraced the spirit of streetball — the laughter, the chaos, and the competition that made every pickup game unforgettable. NBA The Run aims to revive that energy, putting creativity and fun above all else. It’s fast, expressive, and built for players who miss that unfiltered style of arcade hoops.
Developed by Play By Play Studios under founder Scott Probst, the game captures that same accessible, pick-up-and-play joy that fueled the arcade era. Players will compete in 3v3 battles across a world tour of legendary outdoor courts, blending real NBA stars with a lineup of fictional ‘Street Legends’ who bring distinct personalities and signature moves to the asphalt.
The debut trailer set the tone instantly — featuring a cel-shaded visual style bursting with color, movement, and flair. NBA superstars Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, and rising phenom Cooper Flagg headline the action, showcasing explosive dunks, slick passes, and signature swagger on stylized global courts.
Defense is designed to be as fun as offense — with shoves, blocks, and steals tuned for big-moment intensity. Every possession feels like a highlight reel, supported by hand-keyed animations and buttery-smooth controls. The gameplay runs on rollback netcode, ensuring low-latency cross-play that keeps every movement responsive and competitive, whether you’re playing solo or in squad-based Knockout Tournaments.
Each match features dynamic rulesets like ‘Dunkfest’ or ‘Speed Round,’ keeping the pace unpredictable and the replay value sky-high. Combined with expressive visuals, music, and the return of Bobbito Garcia as commentator, NBA The Run pays homage to streetball culture while pushing it forward with modern design and global flavor.
NBA The Run is slated for release in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Play By Play Studios describes it as a game built on connection — a celebration of creativity, competition, and community that defines basketball worldwide.
For players who miss the freedom and flow of arcade hoops, NBA The Run could be the long-awaited revival — a bold, stylized return to the courts where every moment is a highlight.
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