The spiritual successor to NBA Street is finally here, and it's ready to take over courts worldwide

After months of anticipation, NBA THE RUN is finally available worldwide for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The new title from Play Play Studios aims to recapture the arcade spirit of classics like NBA Street and NBA Jam, translating it into a competitive online experience based on fast-paced 3v3 matches, dynamic rules, and knockout tournaments. Featuring over 30 NBA stars, rollback netcode, and a show-stopping presentation, the game seeks to carve out a niche in a genre dominated for years by traditional simulators.

Streetball, fast-paced matches, and a format built for instant competition

The main premise of NBA THE RUN is to offer an experience completely different from the massive basketball simulations currently dominating the market. Instead of focusing on long seasons, roster management, or extreme realism, the game revolves around quick 3v3 showdowns on some of the world's most iconic street courts.

Players can build teams using over 30 NBA stars, blending different playstyles to compete both solo and in squads. The ultimate goal is to rack up wins, gain street cred within the circuit, and progress to become the GOAT of The Run—the pinnacle of competition within the game.

The heart of the experience lies in the Run the World Tournament, a four-round knockout bracket where teams advance through various courts across the globe. Each matchup introduces randomized rules that force players to constantly adjust their strategies—a mechanic designed to keep matches unpredictable and reward on-the-fly adaptation.

Play by Play Studios wanted pacing to be one of the project’s defining hallmarks. Matches are brief, direct, and engineered for non-stop action, packed with spectacular dunks, alley-oops, aggressive steals, and high-impact visual plays from the very first second.

An online experience built around rollback netcode

One of the highlights emphasized by the studio during development is the game's competitive infrastructure.

NBA THE RUN utilizesrollback netcode, a technology widely used in competitive fighting games that improves player synchronization and minimizes perceived lag during online matches. According to Play by Play Studios, this tech ensures that moves like crossovers, steals, jumps, and alley-oops execute instantly for all participants.

The studio considers this aspect crucial because the gameplay relies on quick reflexes and split-second decisions. High latency could severely ruin the experience, making seamless connectivity one of the fundamental pillars of the project.

The Standard Edition of the game is now available for $29.99, while the Deluxe Edition is priced at $39.99 and includes three exclusive rookie variants: Stephen Curry (Warriors '09), Luka Dončić (Mavericks '18), and Kevin Durant (SuperSonics '07), plus 1,000 CRED to use in The Shop.

This currency allows players to unlock cosmetic items such as alternate jerseys, celebrations, special dunks, and other customization content that is part of the title's visual progression.

Context and current situation

The launch of NBA THE RUN carries special significance as it marks the commercial debut of Play by Play Studios, a company founded by former Electronic Arts developers with the goal of reviving the arcade basketball spirit that defined a generation.

The project was originally born under the name The Run: Got Next before securing the official NBA license and rebranding as NBA THE RUN during 2025. Since then, the studio has championed a clear philosophy: creating an alternative to traditional simulators focused on instant fun, accessibility, and visual spectacle.

Their pitch inevitably brings to mind historic franchises like NBA Street and NBA Jam—two series that left a deep mark on arcade basketball fans but haven't seen new installments in years. The game's promotional material has fully embraced this comparison, framing NBA THE RUN as a modern evolution of that classic gameplay style.

Initial data on Steam shows a mostly positive reception from users, with early reviews highlighting the fast pace of the matches and the genuine arcade feel of the gameplay.

What this means for players

For basketball fans, NBA THE RUN represents a stark alternative to the experience offered by NBA 2K.

While Visual Concepts' franchise aims to replicate every aspect of professional sports with maximum realism, Play by Play Studios' new title bets on showmanship, speed, and impossible plays. This makes it an incredibly attractive option for those who miss the arcade titles that dominated consoles during the '90s and 2000s.

The quick-match structure also favors shorter, more accessible gaming sessions. Instead of committing to long games, players can complete several tournaments in a short amount of time—a perfect fit for modern online gaming habits.

Furthermore, the inclusion of current superstars like Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, and Kevin Durant bridges the gap between classic streetball vibes and the contemporary NBA, allowing players to build dream fantasy lineups and experiment with vastly different playstyles.

A new opportunity fora arcade basketball

The launch of NBA THE RUN signifies more than just the arrival of a new sports game. It represents the comeback of a philosophy that was practically extinct in the market for years: arcade basketball centered on entertainment, creativity, and instant gratification.

Armed with official NBA licensing, a clear competitive drive, and gameplay tailored for quick sessions, Play by Play Studios is trying to reclaim a space that many fans felt had been abandoned for a decade. It remains to be seen whether it can sustain player interest over the long haul, but its debut makes one thing clear: the blacktops are officially open for anyone ready to prove who truly deserves to be the king of The Run.