NBA THE RUN Is Bringing Arcade Basketball Back, And You Can Play It Free This Weekend

Basketball fans won't have to wait much longer to hit the court in NBA THE RUN. Developer Play by Play Studios, alongside the NBA and NBPA, has announced an open beta for the upcoming 3v3 streetball title, giving players their first chance to jump into the action on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. The free test runs on Saturday, May 30, from 10 am to 6 pm PDT, with no codes or registration required.

The beta also marks the first time NBA THE RUN will be playable on consoles, complete with full cross-play support. Players can either control one athlete on a three-person team in Knockout Squads or manage an entire lineup solo through Knockout Solos.

A sizable roster of NBA stars will be available during the test, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Victor Wembanyama, alongside fictional streetball legend Destiny "DJ" Jackson. Players will also get access to advanced dunks, taunts, and stylish dribble moves like crossovers, Shamgods, and Slip ‘N Slides.

At the center of NBA THE RUN is the "Run the World Tournament," a global knockout competition where teams compete across famous streetball-inspired courts for bragging rights and championship status. The game promises fast-paced, arcade-inspired gameplay backed by rollback netcode to keep online matches smooth and responsive.

The full game launches June 9 in both Standard and Deluxe editions, with the latter including bonus NBA player variants, in-game currency, and extra cosmetics. Developed by veteran creators with experience on major sports franchises, NBA THE RUN aims to channel the spirit of classic arcade sports games while modernizing the formula for today's players.

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This story was originally published May 31, 2026 at 9:33 PM.