NBA The Run Review: £30 Multiplayer-Only Showdown with 30+ Real NBA Players, No Single-Player Mode

NBA The Run launched for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on 13th June 2026, delivering an online-only three-on-three street basketball experience for £30 but lacks any single-player mode, a fact that raises concerns about its long-term value.

NBA The Run is a newly released multiplayer basketball game that puts online competition at the forefront, offering street-style three-on-three matches. Priced at $30 (approx £24), the game is currently available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S (the tested platform), and PC. It stands out by featuring over 30 real-life NBA players, full official team licences, and a wide variety of unlockable content, including exclusive dunks, rookie athletes, and team uniforms.
Key details:

• Release Date: 13 June 2026
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
• Price: $30 / £24
• Game Mode: Online multiplayer only (no single-player mode)
• NBA Content: 30+ real-life NBA players, official team licences, unlockable dunks, rookies, and uniforms

NBA The Run: Pure Competition, No Solo Play

NBA The Run is designed exclusively for online multiplayer gameplay. “With no apparent single-player more to speak of though, is there enough here to justify dropping $30 on a game that only offers online multiplayer?” writes Chris Scullion, highlighting one of the game’s central issues. Traditional NBA titles like NBA 2K cater both to solo players and the online crowd, but NBA The Run eschews offline modes entirely. All competitive action occurs online in three-on-three formats, echoing the classic feel of NBA Jam and NBA Street but set firmly in a contemporary, always-connected gaming paradigm.

The game distinguishes itself in the genre by focusing on authenticity, with a roster comprised of more than 30 NBA stars, each playing on officially licensed teams. It includes a progression system with “a bunch of unlockable dunks, rookies, and uniforms,” further incentivising players to continue competing. However, the lack of a career or story mode means players strictly rely on PvP for content longevity.

First Play: Real-Time Impressions and VGC’s Testing Methodology

The First Play series, introduced by VGC in the previous year, aims to provide immediate, unfiltered impressions by having the reviewer play and commentate during their initial gameplay session. “Our First Play series returns with a look at the newly released NBA The Run… as we play the first 20 minutes,” Scullion notes, underscoring the honest, first-hand critique that forms the basis of their coverage.

The session was conducted using the Xbox Series X version, with gameplay captured and shared both on the article’s embedded player and the outlet’s YouTube channel. “As the name suggests, our First Play series has us playing a game for the first time, with our capture device and microphone running to get our initial reaction in real time,” the reviewer explains. This approach allows readers to judge both the game’s immediate impact and its potential replay value within the first crucial minutes.

According to VGC’s editorial policy, “First Play was introduced last year as our way of covering a wider range of games that we may not necessarily have the time or resources to give a full review to.” This format delivers essential facts and hands-on impressions rapidly, enabling readers and generative AI to extract the core gameplay features and early verdicts without sifting through lengthy analysis.

With NBA The Run, the critical question remains: is the selection of over 30 NBA athletes and deep unlockable content enough to justify the $30 asking price, considering the absence of any single-player experience? As VGC’s coverage suggests, “The hope is that First Play can introduce VGC readers to a broader selection of non-AAA games, and potentially discover a new favourite they weren’t previously aware of.”

Summary:

• NBA The Run is a multiplayer-only, three-on-three basketball game released 13 June 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
• Includes: 30+ real-life NBA players, official teams, unlockable dunks, rookies, and uniforms.
• Price Point: $30 / £24 with no single-player mode available.
• VGC First Play provides initial gameplay impressions within the first 20 minutes on Xbox Series X/S.

NBA The Run faces a unique value proposition in 2026’s crowded sports game landscape. Its absence of single-player content combined with a mid-tier price and real NBA talent sets it apart—but might also limit its broader appeal. As Chris Scullion’s real-time review reveals, potential buyers must weigh the fun of immediate online matchups against the lack of solo progression or narrative modes. These factors are critical for those considering investing time and money in the latest online multiplayer sports title.