NBA THE RUN has officially entered Wave One, bringing the 2000s Legends DLC along with a healthy batch of updates that make the game more digestible, a little more flexible and... in some areas, a lot more enjoyable.
But let me get something out of the way real quick... no update can make your teammates play better.
Teamwork — and eliminating that ball-hoggish desire to dribble the air out of the ball while somebody is standing wide open... is still very much up to the people trying to pull off that dub (no matter the game).
The new Practice Mode helps, but I'd actually like to see the developers take that idea a little further. If drills aren't going to be part of the experience, there should at least be some advice tucked in there to put certain bad habits on front street.
A drill system could be even better though. Instead of simply running up the court and shooting just to complete an objective, players could be required to run their position correctly, move the ball and make the right... PASS.
It should be obvious, but if your teammate is standing there wide open... Toss him the rock!
The hoop isn't going anywhere, but the attempt could be a waste with an avoidable steal! Now, what better way to tell you about NBA THE RUN's Wave One DLC and updates than to actually show you?
Below is nearly an hour of gameplay and commentary covering the new additions in action.
What's New in Wave One?
2000s Legends
Allen Iverson
Vince Carter
Tracy McGrady
Kevin Garnett
Dirk Nowitzki
Stylized character designs
Signature moves and play styles
Legends can be earned individually with in-game CRED
Full Legends DLC available for players who want immediate access
That's a pretty serious starting five of names to kick this thing off! And if this really is only Wave One, you already know where my mind goes. How deep is this roster eventually going to get? Not sure, but I'm excited about the possibilities. I'd actually make the player selection screen look more like a fighting game selection screen based on the growth of players.
Also, Play by Play Studios... I'm just going to slide this onto the table while nobody is looking:
Dennis Rodman. (Thanks in advance!)
Practice Mode
Play against AI opponents
Select different courts
Select different rulesets
Learn player movement
Practice shooting
Work on positioning
Learn alley-oop setups
Learn how to pass
Did I mention passing? Just checking... because Practice Mode gives players an opportunity to get familiar with the mechanics before stepping online, and that's important in a game where three people need to function like an actual team. Use it! (Please!)
Learn how to get open. Learn how to create a good shot instead of forcing one. Learn how alley-oops work. Learn where you should be on the floor... and for the love of basketball... know how to pass.
New Camera Angles
Drive Cam
Drive Flip Cam
New perspective behind the action
Better view of spacing
Easier look at passing opportunities
Another way to experience the game
The new cameras are one of those additions that may sound small on paper but can make a noticeable difference once you're actually playing.
They give NBA THE RUN another feel depending on how you prefer to see the court, and that makes an already fast-paced game even easier to jump into.
Dyckman NYC
New court
Daytime variation
Tournament variation
More streetball atmosphere
NBA THE RUN already leans heavily into that arcade streetball personality, so adding Dyckman feels right at home.
More courts also mean more visual variety, which is never a bad thing when you're going to be running these games repeatedly.
Custom Matches
Private matches
Play with friends
Play against friends
Choose your court
Choose your ruleset
This is another welcome addition because sometimes you don't want matchmaking deciding the evening for you.
Sometimes you want to grab your people, pick your setup and settle things yourselves.
Preferably with passing.
Gameplay Updates
Reduced goaltending
New standing dunks
New driving layups
Additional advanced moves
Continued player tuning
AI improvements
These changes help NBA THE RUN continue moving in the right direction without changing what the game fundamentally is. It's still quick with that arcade feel.
It's still designed around getting you into the action without requiring the time commitment of a full basketball sim.
Additional Content
New dunks
New taunts
New music
Licensed tracks
Championship Belt rewards
More unlockables and progression
And this is where the replay value starts... creeping up.
You don't necessarily have to spend money out of pocket to unlock everything. You can put in the work, earn CRED and gain access to certain content that way. Other items also require specific levels before you can access them, including different dunks. That means there's actually something waiting for you beyond the next match. So replay value is through the roof (of the stadium).
When Everybody Understands the Assignment
Mainly... It's the feeling you get when everybody understands the assignment. The frustration evaporates and the fun replaces it when people are moving and passing. Somebody makes the extra pass instead of forcing a contested shot.
A teammate cuts... you hit them and a bucket seals the deal of a close game. Now we're playing basketball, even if you take the L... that makes you want to get back in and try again.
I can easily recommend this as a fast-paced alternative to NBA 2K, especially now that the additional camera angles and other updates have expanded the experience. Owning NBA 2K doesn't make NBA THE RUN some sort of waste either.
The same way a game like NBA Playgrounds 2 could exist alongside a simulation, this gives basketball fans another flavor.
If basketball games are primarily what you play, exercise your options within the genre. You don't have to eat the same meal every night just because Tex Mex is your favorite food. Right?
The Players Are Still Here
One thing NBA THE RUN has going for it also is that the player base has been present since launch.
Understand spacing... know how to pass.... know how to pass, and... (I feel like I'm forgetting something), oh yeah, know how to pass!
NBA THE RUN serves up just enough gameplay when you're pressed for time, want a few rounds of arcade basketball before bed or simply don't have the time to sit through a full-fledged basketball simulation.
It doesn't have to be the alternative to another game you have though, if this kind of fast-moving 3-on-3 basketball is simply your thing, that's reason enough to step onto the court.
NBA THE RUN is available on Steam for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with cross-play keeping everybody in the mix. Game on!
+ Sophi
