Streetball Is Back: NBA the Run Answers a Decade of Waiting.
Written By: Kekoa O’Neil
Contributor | Sideline Society Media
The long awaited wait for a game similar to the classic NBA Street that we saw all the way back on PS2 was finally released on June 9th and it's called NBA the Run, developed by Play by Play Studios. The game is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam, priced at $29.99 for the standard edition and $39.99 for the deluxe, and it features full cross-platform play, so you can run games with friends no matter what system they're on. For a big time video game and a sports fan like myself, I could not have been more excited for a game to be released.
Although NBA2k is a great game with many features that I enjoy, it lacked that true streetball feel that I have been seeking to experience for so long. What makes NBA the Run so unique is that it always consists of a fast paced, 3 on 3 gameplay with multiple game modes that consist of different rules depending on which mode you play. For example, they have modes called Oop City and Dunkfest where you get more points if a dunk or alley oop is performed. The whole thing runs on rollback netcode, the same lag-proof tech fighting games use, so online play stays smooth and responsive.
Once you perform well enough with a certain player in the game, you can activate their "In the Zone" boost which is a special ability that is unique to each player in the game. While the boost is only active for about 7-10 seconds, it truly gives you a chance to dominate and break open the game. With a roster of more than 30 NBA stars plus a handful of streetball Street Legends to unlock, there's plenty to work through. And with none other than legendary NBA mixtape voice Bobbito Garcia on the mic as the in-game announcer, the streetball authenticity is turned all the way up. After playing a few games I can truly say I feel the nostalgia of playing NBA Street all over again. For those who want to see high octane, flashy, creative gameplay with unique player abilities this is the game for them.
What also makes this game unique is the quick tournament style game play they have implemented. Whether you are playing solo or with a squad, if you win 4 games in a row you win a tournament championship. Racking up these championships help you gain XP and coins which can help you unlock new players, jerseys and unique in-game animations that are player specific. With the highest score you have to reach in a game mode being 30, you get quick and competitive gameplay at all times.
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