If you grew up playing NBA Street or NBA Jam, get ready to lace up again. A new basketball game called NBA The Run is stepping onto the court in 2026, and it’s being built by the same kind of minds that made those classics unforgettable. Developed by Play by Play Studios, a team of former EA Sports veterans, the game promises to revive the fast-paced, over-the-top spirit of arcade hoops for a new generation.

Originally announced under the name The Run: Got Next, the game started as a fictional 3-on-3 streetball project before landing an official NBA license. That deal transformed the concept into NBA The Run, bringing real teams, real players, and official branding to its stylized gameplay.

Creative Director Mike Young, who previously worked on NBA Street, says the game blends nostalgic flair with modern depth. The team’s goal is to capture the swagger and energy of streetball without drowning it in simulation complexity. Players can expect big dunks, flashy passes, high-flying alley-oops, and defensive plays that get the crowd roaring.

Unlike traditional sports sims, NBA The Run focuses on fast action and fun. Matches are short, intense, and built for social play, whether online or with friends. The developers describe it as “pick-up basketball meets highlight reel,” where every move has the potential to become a viral clip.

The studio is also designing the game to be easy to learn but hard to master, rewarding timing, teamwork, and flair. Each player archetype—from flashy point guards to rim-dominant centers—will have unique skills and personality-driven animations.

Set for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC, NBA The Run hopes to reintroduce something that has been missing from basketball gaming for years: pure, unapologetic fun. The team’s experience and the official NBA partnership give it the credibility to deliver both style and substance.

With the arcade basketball genre largely dormant, NBA The Run could be the game that finally brings back the trash talk, the swagger, and the highlight dunks that made fans fall in love with the sport in the first place.