- NBA and NBPA licenses: real stars alongside Street Legends in a 3v3 arcade game.
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam) with a planned release in 2026.
- Online focused on Knockout: cross-play and rollback netcode for smooth gameplay.
- Iconic locations: Venice Beach and The Tenement; Bobbito Garcia as the voice of the game.
El new NBA THE RUN It lands as a proposal of 3v3 street basketball with official NBA and NBPA licensesDeveloped by Play by Play Studios and planned for 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam)The project focuses on accessibility and spectacle, moving away from pure simulation.
For the community of Spain and Europe, The combination of cross-platform play and the use of rollback netcode promises stable and competitive matches.with fast-paced online tournaments that encourage you to play "one more" without complications or long waits.
What does NBA THE RUN offer?
In this "Above the hoop" arcade game with an emphasis on style and fluiditywhere NBA Stars and Street Legends (fictional characters with charisma and distinctive skills) share the court in matches of three against three focused on skill and imagination.
The design philosophy prioritizes short, replayable gameswith a control that seeks Be quick and expressive so that each play comes from instinct rather than pre-set animations, recovering that “touch” of the classics of the sports arcade.
Platforms, launch, and cross-play
The title is announced for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam)with a launch window in 2026, though a specific date and price have not yet been confirmed. The study assures full compatibility of cross-play from day one to unify the community.
On a technical level, THE RUN employs netcode rollback, a widespread solution in fighting games to minimize the impact of ping and maintain the feeling of immediacy, key in actions such as alley-oops, steals at the limit or blocks in the last second.
Main mode: Knockout Tournaments
The heart of the experience is the Knockout Tournaments, knockout tournaments that can be played solo (controlling all three players) or in a squad (one person per partner) with games of 2 to 5 minutes.
To maintain freshness, each round can activate Random Rules —like “Dunkfest” or “Speed Round”— that change the pace and force you to adjust strategies on the fly: if you win, you advance; if you fall, you receive rewards to prepare your next attempt.
Gameplay: defense and attack at the same level
The defense is designed to be as attractive as the attack, with hard tackles, quick steals, charges and dives for 50/50 balls that can decide a close tie.
On the other half of the track, the game chases the postcard: double alley-oops, poster dunks, step-backs and dribbling combinations linked through "hand-keyed" animations so that every possession looks like a highlights clip.
Clues and street culture
The confirmed courts include Venice Beach y The Tenement (Taguig, Philippines), two stages with distinct personalities and handcrafted atmospheres; some press previews mention iconic locations such as Rucker Park, although the official confirmation For now, he is focusing on the two previous ones.
The audiovisual tone seeks spark and attitude, reinforced by the voice of legendary Bobbito Garcia as a commentator, whose energy and experience in the streetball genre elevate the atmosphere of every match.
Licenses, template and visual style
Play by Play Studios has licenses from NBA and NBPATherefore, current stars can be used—with names like Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Victor Werbanyama, and LeBron James among the most frequently mentioned—along with a roster of Street Legends created for the game.
The artistic section opts for a deliberate arcade style, with accentuated characters and vibrant settings, prioritizing the impact of the gameplay over photorealism to distinguish itself from traditional simulation proposals.
The study and the arcade heritage
The team consists of former EA developers With a background in sports and action franchises, creative director Mike Young brings experience from sagas like NBA Street and Madden, but with an updated vision for social online gaming.
The project was born as The Run: Got Next And, following interest from the NBA, it evolved into NBA THE RUN with official licenses; the idea is to pay tribute to the spirit of the classics without dwelling on nostalgia, building something new for the era of connected gaming.
What to expect in Spain and Europe
With cross-play and short matchesThe player base in Spain and the rest of Europe should find agile matchmaking at any time, whether playing solo or with colleagues in a squad.
The focus is fully online —no offline career mode has been announced—, so network stability and latency will be crucial; the use of rollback netcode is intended precisely to ensure that the experience does not depend on where you play.
A complement to the ecosystem, not a substitute
NBA THE RUN doesn't aim to replicate the simulated 5v5 format; its focus is a fast-paced, stylish, and social arcade game which coexists with simulation games and offers another way to enjoy digital basketball.
Those who miss the spark of old-school arcades will find it here. a risk-and-show approachwhere creativity and competitive edge count as much as the scoreboard.
With official licenses, cross-play, Knockout tournaments, and a very distinctive visual identity, NBA THE RUN It aims to bring the essence of streetball back to the forefront of sports video games, with a planned release in 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
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