NBA THE RUN for Xbox One

So you’re tired of waiting for your friend to join a full-court NBA game, or maybe you just want something that doesn’t take hours to set up? That’s where NBA THE RUN for Xbox One on Ps5 comes in. I’ve played it a few times after seeing people post clips of insane alley-oops and crossover tricks mid-game. It’s not a simulation - it’s pure streetball energy, packed into a quick match that can end in under ten minutes.

The good stuff

The controls are tight, and the way players respond to inputs feels natural. I was able to pull off a behind-the-back pass into a reverse dunk on my second try - no lag, no jank. The rollback netcode actually holds up during matches, which is huge when you’re dodging defenders and trying to finish with flair. And the courts? They’re not just generic gym floors - some are actual city spots like LA’s Venice Beach or Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing, which adds a cool vibe. The visual style is bold and energetic, almost like a highlight reel from the start. You’ll get hooked on those flashy dunks and fake-outs that feel real, even if they’re exaggerated for fun.

The not-so-good

It’s not perfect. The roster of playable NBA stars is pretty limited - only a handful show up, and none of them are recent rookies. If you’re hoping to play as someone like Victor Wembanyama or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, you’re out of luck. Also, there’s no single-player mode beyond practice drills. You either jump into online multiplayer or nothing at all. And yeah, the game is free-to-play, but it does push cosmetic upgrades and “cred”-based unlocks. Nothing paywalled, but you’ll notice the grind if you want to unlock everything. Also, the name says “Xbox One” but it’s on PS5 - weird branding, but whatever.

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a quick, chaotic 3v3 streetball fix without needing a long setup, NBA THE RUN for Xbox One on Ps5 is solid. It’s not deep, but it’s fun and fast. Perfect for hanging out with friends online or killing five minutes between other games. Download it. Play it. Then go dunk on someone else.