Arcade Basketball Is Back on PS5 with NBA Street-Style Revival, Featuring Rollback Netcode

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Finally, arcade basketball is back on PS5!

Play by Play Studios, founded by former EA Big employee Mike Young, announced that their 3-on-3 arcade basketball game, NBA The Run, will be released in June. The game takes inspiration from popular titles like NBA Street and NBA Jam.

I’m so hyped! The good news is, you don’t have to wait much longer to get your hands on it. They’ve opened sign-ups for a closed beta, and it’s starting on May 1st! I’ve already signed up, and I can’t wait to try it out.

Here’s the blurb, which should give you a bit of insight into the game:

When the game launches, players can choose from over 30 NBA stars and five unique streetball legends. Each character has a distinct playstyle and has been carefully designed with its own look and feel. The gameplay is quick, smooth, and feels great to control, thanks to advanced online technology that keeps everything perfectly synchronized for a seamless experience when playing with others. Every move, from crossovers to dunks, will feel responsive and connected.

The game features real NBA stars like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Steph Curry, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

There’ll be three modes in the title at launch, as outlined in its press release:

Knockout Squads
Play on a Squad of three. You control 1 player on the Squad, fill out your team with friends / other players and take on the competition.
Knockout Solos
Build your own Team of three. You control your team and go head to head against other players and their teams of three.
Knockout Friends
Your own Private Tournament. Play alone against the AI, crew up with friends against the AI, or go head to head against anyone you want to invite in (up to 48 players at Launch).

The gameplay trailer might not look perfect right now, but what really matters is how the game feels. As long as the controls are responsive and the dunks are powerful, we’re willing to overlook some slightly unrealistic animations.

YouTuber SoftdrinkTV recently previewed the gameplay and said it feels really good, with playing defense being just as fun as playing offense. He also mentioned that it’s easier to pick up than NBA 2K, but still offers a lot of strategic complexity.

Importantly, the game uses rollback netcode, a technology found in recent fighting games like Street Fighter 6. This should result in smooth, lag-free online matches that feel as responsive as playing in person. The upcoming beta will be key to confirming this works as intended.

Have you been waiting for a game like this? Let us know your favorite play in the comments!

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2026-04-30 04:37