NBA: The Run is a fast, fun arcade basketball game that successfully revives the spirit of NBA Street with smooth controls and enjoyable online play. Critics praise its gameplay and presentation, but consistently point out limited content, missing features, and shallow long-term depth. Overall, it’s widely seen as very entertaining in short sessions, but lacking enough variety to fully sustain long-term play.
7.6
Average Score (adjusted)
Confidence: High
Divisive
Reviews: 8
Top Review: ButWhytho (8.8)
Spread: 2.3
⭐ 7 / 10
IGN praises NBA The Run's engaging online arcade basketball and NBA Street-inspired design, but argues that repetitive progression and a lack of variety reduce its long-term appeal.
⭐ 7 / 10
GamingBolt recommends NBA: The Run, praising its fast-paced arcade gameplay, responsive controls, and fun basketball action. Criticisms include limited content, shallow defensive mechanics, and some rough edges in presentation and features. Overall, the reviewer sees it as an enjoyable and promising basketball game despite its shortcomings.
⭐ 8.5 / 10
GameDaily is very positive about NBA THE RUN, viewing it as a successful revival of arcade-style basketball. The review praises its fast-paced gameplay, accessible mechanics, strong online performance, and respect for players through fair monetization. It also highlights the game's ability to capture the spirit of classic street basketball titles while feeling modern and polished. Criticisms are relatively minor, focusing on missing features and limited depth in certain modes. Overall, the reviewer recommends the game and considers it one of the strongest arcade sports releases in recent years.
⭐ 8.5 / 10
GamesHedge views NBA THE RUN positively, praising its arcade-focused
gameplay, smooth controls, and entertaining online matches. The review
highlights the game's accessible design, strong presentation, and
ability to capture the excitement of classic street basketball titles
while introducing modern features. Criticisms focus on the limited
amount of content at launch, the absence of some expected competitive
features, and areas that could benefit from future updates. Despite
these shortcomings, the reviewer recommends NBA THE RUN, considering it a
fun and promising foundation for fans of arcade basketball.
⭐ 88 / 100
But Why Tho? is highly positive about NBA THE RUN, praising its fluid
gameplay, strong online performance, generous roster, and fair
monetization. The review considers the game a worthy successor to
classic arcade basketball titles such as NBA Street and NBA Ballers.
While it notes the absence of features like ranked play, tutorials, and
in-game communication, these issues are viewed as minor and do not
significantly impact the overall experience. The reviewer strongly
recommends the game and sees it as one of the most successful arcade
basketball releases in recent years.
⭐ 7.25 / 10
GameInformer's verdict is that NBA The Run captures the spirit of NBA Street with a strong balance of flashy and strategic 3v3 gameplay, but its always-online structure and lack of modes hold it back. The pros include authentic player kits, fun randomized rulesets that create a "one more game" hook, smooth online matchmaking with rollback netcode, and excellent presentation that shows a genuine love for streetball culture. The cons are significant: no story mode, no create-a-player, no couch multiplayer, a barebones overall package, and the need for friends to overcome unreliable online teammates. GameInformer concludes that while there is a great game of basketball here, the title is too limited to wholeheartedly recommend in its current state.
⭐ 4 / 5
Hardcore Gamer concludes that NBA THE RUN successfully brings the spirit of NBA Street to modern audiences by combining arcade-style basketball with a battle royale-inspired format. Featuring real NBA players, the game could appeal to fans looking for a more casual alternative to NBA 2K. Its $30 price also makes it accessible, while progression focuses on gameplay rather than locking content behind expensive cosmetic purchases. The core experience looks and feels polished, although the game’s speed and dunk distances could use some adjustments. Content is currently limited, but more is expected to arrive. Overall, NBA THE RUN offers a fun, straightforward basketball experience for players seeking something different.
⭐ 6.5 / 10
Multiplayer.it thinks NBA The Run is a fun spiritual heir to NBA Street with well-calibrated gameplay pacing and a solid netcode, but it is ultimately too ephemeral. Its main pros are the engaging arcade rhythm and stable online performance. Its cons are balancing issues among players and an absolute lack of real progression, compounded by the near absence of a single-player mode, meaning only highly competitive players will find lasting motivation.