Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 70 | 88 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 69% | 66 | 470 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 66% | 64 | 34 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Aug 10, 2026) · 28 reviews sampled · 34 total reviews in window · weighted 15.5 up / 7.8 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (44)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“Take your favorite NBA stars to streetball courts worldwide in this fast-paced 3v3 experience that nails arcade basketball fun. That’s the TBB Curator blurb and it’s accurate about what the game is at its best, but the “nails it” framing needs the launch caveat attached. NBA THE RUN has the visual identity, the licensed talent, the rollback netcode, and the defensive design to be the arcade basketball game the genre has been missing. It does not currently have the offline content, tutorial, keybind support, or camera options its price point should include. The community consensus aligns with that tension: people who went in with the right expectations, competitive online 3v3 arcade basketball with friends, are largely having a great time. People who went in expecting NBA Street, solo content, or a game that fully explains itself on day one are bouncing off. Both reactions are fair given what launched. If you have people to play with and can live with the current rough edges while the roadmap plays out, NBA THE RUN is worth the money. The Summer Heat Season update is already confirmed, and the bones here are good enough that a few solid content updates could meaningfully shift the recommendation. At $29.99, it’s a conditional buy now and potentially an easier one later.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“NBA The Run is a fun game that’s hampered by stick-thin features. If you can gather some friends who don’t mind spending $30 for a single mode, you’ll have a fun time. Set up a private lobby, let the AI fill in as needed, and have yourself a ball. However, if you’re going into the experience solo, or with two other buds hoping to conquer an online bracket, I must advise against it. The gameplay is terrific, and I have no doubt future iterations (should Play by Play Studios greenlight a sequel) will only improve on this foundation. But NBA The Run, as presently constructed, just doesn’t have the roster depth needed to go the distance. The bright side: There’s always next year.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“NBA THE RUN is a fun, arcade basketball game, and for players who are unable to grasp the complex mechanics of the mainstream NBA titles, it serves as an entry point for them to learn the basics and prepare for the main event. It tones down the mechanics but keeps things interesting with solid gameplay mechanics and a roguelike approach to its main gameplay mode. While it is fun in a lot of ways, it also lacks in a lot of ways. Missing out on single-player or even a couch co-op mode is a big disappointment. If you are looking for a fun, simple, but online basketball game, NBA THE RUN can offer hours of fun with its dynamic rules and cool visuals, but if you want something offline, you are best to hold out for a bit.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“NBA The Run is decently paced and visually striking. It also forces an online-only connection, suffers from poor camera angle choices, and is an immense progression grind.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“NBA The Run delivers a fast-paced arcade basketball experience fans wanted for years, but it lacks an offline mode, has limited game modes, and offers few rewards, making it feel incomplete. However, these issues could be easily fixed to greatly improve its long-term value.”
read full review ↗ - 77
“NBA THE RUN is exactly the kind of game arcade basketball fans have been waiting for for years. It recaptures the spirit of NBA Street without trying to directly compete with NBA 2K and creates its own identity based on accessible gameplay, quick matches, and an extremely solid online experience.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“NBA The Run is a classic example of a title with its heart in the right place, but lacking the legs to truly run. Play by Play Studios has achieved the challenging feat of crafting an aesthetically pleasing product, enriched by a roster that will make any fan's heart skip a beat thanks to nostalgic gems like KD in a Sonics jersey or LeBron as a Miami Heat. DJ Bobbito's voice and the court design create the street atmosphere we were desperately looking for to fill the post-playoff void. The problem arises when you look at the scoreboard at the end of the game. The complete lack of a single-player mode undermines its longevity, while gameplay that's far too chaotic and reliant on randomness - more than genuine controller skill - prevents NBA The Run from living up to the legacy of NBA Street. Add to this an uninspiring reward system and excessive grinding to unlock classic versions of players, and the initial excitement quickly fades. Is it the perfect game to unplug and have a laugh with friends over voice chat for ten minutes? Absolutely. Is it the ultimate basketball arcade game we've been waiting for? Unfortunately, no.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“NBA The Run is a fast-paced arcade basketball game that embraces chaotic streetball action over realism. Its simple design and instant accessibility make it easy for anyone to jump in, with players learning the basics within just a few matches. The tournament-style mode keeps gameplay fresh through randomized scoring rules that encourage different strategies each run, which can make it feel imbalanced for some. Despite its flaws, the game delivers plenty of fun, especially with friends.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“NBA The Run succeeds where many sports games fail by offering a fun experience. Its accessible controls, fast-paced matches, and excellent atmosphere help recapture some of the magic of the classic arcade basketball games of yesteryear. Not to mention that the online community is, for now, quite enjoyable. Unfortunately, the lack of game modes and the heavy reliance on multiplayer prevent the game from reaching its full potential. Players who love online competition will likely find plenty to enjoy for several weeks. Others, however, may realize fairly quickly that they’ve already seen most of what the game has to offer.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“All in all, NBA The Run is a solid entry to a genre that needed a revival. The Streetball league needs love from its glory days and it could very well be this title if the right moves and love is shown to it. Right now, it doesn’t provide enough or have enough to really justify the purchase beyond huge fans of the game. I would say give this a little time to cook or get it on sale.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“As much as I hoped that NBA The Run was going to rekindle that magic from the early NBA Street days, I am sad to say that it just fumbles the ball.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“NBA The Run is a clear attempt to return to the spirit of NBA Street, with an affordable price and plenty of passion from the development team.”
read full review ↗
TheBigBois
The Punished Backlog
GamesHedge
Jump Dash Roll
ReGame It
Pizza Fria
Gamesource Italia
Prima Games
Geeks & Com
Life is Xbox
ZTGD
Enternity.gr…and 32 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- August Game Update: Leaderboards, Player Updates, Tuning and More Available NowAug 10, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- July Game Update - Dybantsa, Peterson & Boozer Join NBA THE RUNJul 21, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- NBA THE RUN - June 25th Patch NotesJun 25, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- What’s Coming Next in NBA THE RUN – Summer Heat Season & Upcoming RoadmapJun 25, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Quick Patch - See you on the Court this Weekend!Jun 12, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- August Community Update - Feedback WelcomeAug 29, 2024