NBA Playgrounds
- May 8, 2017
- Saber Interactive
- 3h median play time
With plenty of attitude and a decent take on 2v2 arcade basketball, NBA Playgrounds recaptures some of the old magic.
Get on Steam"NBA Playgrounds" is an arcade-style basketball game with over-the-top slams and the ability to unlock legendary players. It features fast-paced 2-on-2 matches with a variety of courts and environments. The game utilizes a lottery system for acquiring new players, adding an element of chance to collecting your favorite players.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Fun and addictive gameplay reminiscent of NBA Jam and NBA Street.
- No microtransactions; players are unlocked through gameplay.
- Great for local co-op play with friends.
- Rebounding and shooting mechanics can be frustrating and inconsistent.
- Limited online multiplayer options and matchmaking issues.
- The game can become repetitive quickly, especially in single-player mode.
- gameplay172 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mixed bag, with many players finding it fun and fast-paced, especially in multiplayer settings, reminiscent of classic arcade games like NBA Jam. However, issues such as repetitive mechanics, frustrating shooting and rebounding systems, and a lack of clarity in gameplay mechanics detract from the overall experience. While some enjoy the chaotic style and animations, others feel the game lacks depth and balance, making it less appealing for solo play.
“Gameplay is fun and fast-paced, leveling up to unlock packs is enjoyable and it's nice to not have to spend money to progress if you don't want to.”
“Definitely a fun game, especially with it being a throwback to NBA Jam but with much better gameplay and a much higher degree of difficulty.”
“Nba Playground is like a combination of both series, with fast-paced gameplay, arcade controls, and a wacky artistic style, which I find pleasing to the eye.”
“The gameplay can get really repetitive, so unless you have a friend to constantly play with, I would just stay away and find a different type of game to play that is less repetitive.”
“The most irritating thing about this game is the shooting, stealing, blocking, and pushing. I have really tried to give this game a chance, but when I have to deal with some frustrating shot mechanics just to shoot or do a layup in an arcade basketball game, something is wrong. This game is confused because it doesn't know what it wants to be: an arcade basketball game or a simulation basketball game.”
“This game is mechanically repetitive and unappealing.”
- graphics55 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many players praising the modern, cartoonish art style and vibrant visuals that enhance the arcade-like experience. While some users noted issues with performance on specific maps and a lack of graphical options, the overall impression is that the game looks great, especially at higher resolutions, and features impressive animations that contribute to its fun and engaging gameplay.
“Things I do like: the graphics are great and modern for this generation in this kind of arcade-like experience.”
“It's a pretty nice arcade basketball game with awesome graphics (supports 4K resolution).”
“The graphics look great at 1440p, which is the resolution I game in.”
“Even with blurred graphics (don't know why it's called 'high' resolution).”
“- Paris playground is somehow laggy and scatters at very high graphics (tried uninstalling but still the same - the only map to do that).”
“- Not many graphical options (resolution and a quality slider, that's it).”
- monetization27 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game currently features no microtransactions, allowing players to unlock over 150 characters through gameplay rather than purchases, which many reviewers find satisfying and rewarding. While there are concerns about potential future monetization strategies, such as DLC or booster packs, the absence of microtransactions is a significant positive aspect for players who appreciate earning rewards through skill and effort. Overall, the monetization model is seen as player-friendly, promoting engagement without the pressure of additional costs.
“There are over 150+ players for you to collect through player packs with no microtransactions. Yes, that means that you will have to actually play the game and gain some knowledge and skill in order to get some of the best players.”
“One of my favorite things about this game is how satisfying it is to unlock your favorite character after an hour or so of leveling. I feel as though putting in any sort of microtransactions would solely kill that feeling altogether.”
“There are lots of different players, even from different eras back to the 60s-70s, to unlock and you simply get them by playing the game, so no microtransactions there.”
“Smells like a cash grab to me, at least.”
“Microtransactions incoming, the player cards are perfect for making this into a booster pack fest.”
“One of my favorite things about this game is how satisfying it is to unlock your favorite character after an hour or so of leveling, and I feel as though putting in any sort of microtransactions would solely kill that feeling altogether.”
- humor22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting the funny commentary, amusing character designs, and entertaining gameplay reminiscent of classic arcade titles like NBA Jam. The cheeky remarks from the commentator and the humorous animations contribute to a lighthearted and enjoyable experience, making it a standout feature for many users. Overall, the game is described as a fun and amusing casual option with plenty of comedic elements.
“The player caricatures are hilarious.”
“I have yet to try the campaign but so far the graphics and style are neat, gameplay is fast and feels like NBA Jam with its crazy stunts and funny commentators.”
“Cool game, very funny, just tried it a few minutes but looks like a funny alternative to another game.”
- music13 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 54 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitiveness and limited variety, leading to a sense of monotony. However, some appreciate the soundtrack's fittingness to the game's art style and overall vibe, suggesting that it may grow on players over time. Additionally, concerns were raised about the loudness and lack of options to adjust music levels.
“The soundtrack and art style of this game are phenomenal, and they only add to the game's zaniness and laid-back attitude.”
“The art style and soundtrack are very fitting.”
“The music is also lame.”
“Music gets repetitive.”
“Repetitive music and announcing, no real need to use the game's extensive roster.”
- replayability12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game offers decent replayability through character improvement and various gameplay mechanics, but some reviewers feel it lacks the depth of its inspirations. While the tight controls and arcade aesthetics provide enjoyable short sessions, the absence of online play at launch and repetitive single-player modes may limit long-term engagement for casual players. Overall, it seems to cater more to hardcore fans seeking to master the game rather than offering broad replay value.
“Tight controls and a lot of replayability.”
“Pretty good replay value too as you can improve every character in the game over time and acquire better dunks, etc.”
“Yeah, I guess so, but I doubt it'll have the replay value of the game it's trying to emulate.”
“It's practically a smartphone RPG gimmick to keep the replay value high for single player and add some level balancing for the online mode.”
“The lack of online play at launch is a big omission and although the game lacks replayability, the arcade aesthetics, easy-to-use controls, and whirlwind gameplay make this game extremely enjoyable in short bursts.”
- stability10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability at launch was severely criticized, with numerous bugs rendering multiplayer unplayable and causing frequent freezes, particularly in the Tokyo level. Players reported issues such as a malfunctioning AI, incorrect shot meter timing, and laggy menus, leading to an overall frustrating experience.
“When the game came out, it was as buggy as it gets; the multiplayer was literally unplayable.”
“The AI is buggy, the shot meter isn't timed correctly, and the stamina bar bugs out.”
“Tokyo level freezes happen every 2-3 seconds; it's not really playable.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization on PC is generally functional, with no significant frame drops, but users report frequent crashes that detract from the experience. The underlying issue seems to stem from the unsuccessful combination of two classic games, rather than outright bugs or poor performance.
“It's not due to bugs or poor performance; it's due to the fact that they took two amazing games of their time (NBA Jam & NBA Street), tried to mash them together, and it just didn't work.”
“Performance issues.”
“Performance issues.”
- story4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game appears to be largely overlooked by players, who prioritize gameplay and social interaction over narrative elements. There is a desire for more creative features, such as a player-created story mode, indicating that players seek deeper engagement with the story if given the tools to do so.
“I could care less about the story or the AI games; I just wanted to mess around with a friend.”
“I would also like to see some form of player creator with a story mode.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, particularly feeling that they are required to grind to unlock characters they have already purchased. This sentiment highlights a perceived lack of value in their purchases and dissatisfaction with the game's progression system.
“I have to keep grinding to unlock players I've already paid for...”
“The grinding feels endless and frustrating, especially for content I've already purchased.”
Critic Reviews
NBA Playgrounds Review
NBA Playgrounds is a conflicted game, it tries to cater to two different audiences at once, but in doing so weakens the overall experience and therefore appeals to neither. It did succeed in making me want to play an NBA game; just not this one.
60%NBA Playgrounds
This NBA Jam-a-like delivers monster dunks and a novel leveling system for people who like their sports games with a whole lot of wacky fun.
70%NBA Playgrounds Scratches That Arcade Itch, But Is No NBA Jam
NBA Playgrounds scratches that arcade basketball itch we’ve had since NBA Jam. The gameplay and progression are simple and fun to mess around with but unbalanced power-ups and a shallow online multiplayer offering keep it from being as consistently fun as the classics.
60%
