NBA The Run belongs to the category of unrealistic, but all the more fun titles. It is built on famous players from the overseas league and short sessions, where you either lose and start over, or win a victory in a micro-tournament. You will not find other game modes here, and the absence of local cooperation and the obligation to have a subscription to online services on consoles are also very frustrating.

NBA The Run will live or die based on the adjustments it continues to make post-launch. Several improvements and bug fixes have already made an impact, but there's (always) more to do. The problems are fixable, but they detract from the experience right now. It doesn't feel good to waste time watching a measly 60 XP stack up after a first-round exit when the time is better spent loading into a new run. It doesn't feel good when the game tells you your max-handling player just fell down performing a dribble move with no one around and full stamina. But it feels good to play overall. No matter which player you like most, you're not pigeon-holed only into one playstyle. It simply feels good to learn the moves and counters to get better at the game. Basically, it feels great to play a game, and a little less great to play multiple in a row, especially when you're stacking losses. It's telling that one of my biggest issues with the game is the speed at which it lets me play the next tournament, after all.

NBA THE RUN feels like a modern version of NBA Streets, and I mean that as a compliment. It has a great arcade gameplay, a curated roster of both street legends and NBA stars, but also some impressive courts. The games are short, but intense, and you’ll find yourself trying to attempt some more. It’s also nice to see that all the money you get via playing won’t go to waste. The game’s shop is full of all kinds of accessories and items you can use to fully customize your character. So yes, there’s always a reason beyond how you look, the way you enhance everything, and how it all flows together. Even if you’re not someone who plays NBA 2K or any major basketball game, I think you’ll have a great time here, because the game is very easy to pick up and learn. It’s fun, intense, and it will certainly push your limits, while also being fair.