Platforms
- PCMay 09, 2017NAplayscoreNA0 Critics7.31.06K Players
- PlayStation 4May 09, 20177.3playscore6.512 Critics8.52.15K Players
- Xbox OneMay 09, 20176.6playscore6.69 Critics6.4604 Players
- Nintendo SwitchMay 09, 20176.8playscore6.414 Critics6.366 Players
41 critic reviews · 1 community reviews across all platforms
Critic Reviews
- NBA Playgrounds is fun, of that there is no doubt. It’s just that the fun doesn’t last all that long. After playing a few matches I simply had no motivation to have another without taking a break from it first. If you’re a huge basketball fan and you’re planning on playing a lot of local multiplayer, it’ll be far more appealing to you. If all you want is a game that will ease the itch for an over the top street basketball game in the same vein as NBA Jam then this will satisfy it somewhat. Just don’t expect it to become your favourite ever basketball game, because it has some way to go.
Jamie Ward · Aug 10, 2017 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - NBA Playgrounds is a flawed game, but a fun one. Single player modes are playable but can feel like a bit of a slog for all but the most hardcore fans. Multiplayer fares much better, delivering an enjoyable experience that works well both online and off.
Steve Bowling · Jul 28, 2017 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - NBA Playgrounds isn’t a bad game, but it isn’t great. The fun it offers is found almost exclusively in either co-op or online. The solo experience is lacking and doesn’t keep your attention for too long. The game has a great look, and plays decently well when the AI isn’t bugging out. What will most likely bog down your time with the game is the repetitiveness. With basically one game mode to play, it’s hard to make each outing feel different and fun.
Matt Eakins · Jun 01, 2017 Reviewed on PS4Read full 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.
James Sweeting · May 25, 2017 Reviewed onRead full review - NBA Playgrounds is let down by several little things, but most chiefly by the singular mode on offer. If they launched with some more fun modes to embrace the irreverent tone the game clearly wants to go for, or add them later for some added value, then the game might have some staying power.
Alex Jackson · May 24, 2017 Reviewed on PS4Read full review - NBA Playgrounds has me torn. On the one hand, it can be a genuinely fun game of digital basketball with cool animations and many playable characters to choose from, and the addition of local multiplayer is a welcome feature. On the other hand, however, many of the game’s mechanics simply don’t work as they should and the lack of creative modes is disappointing.
Grady Penna · May 22, 2017 Reviewed on PS4Read full review - A hands-off tutorial elbows you right into the action. Its surprisingly steep learning curve can mercilessly trash new players even in their first match, making it difficult to play with friends who might want to pick up the game and start competing. It closely mimics skills and techniques found in real life basketball games, but dirties itself in the details. NBA Playgrounds is great fun when it works and is an absolute blast to play against equally matched opponents, but feels cheap and unrewarding as a solo experience.
Jeremy Johnson · May 21, 2017 Reviewed on PS4Read full review - NBA Playgrounds scratches an itch I didn’t know I had. Growing up in arcades I spent many a quarter on games like NBA Jam. Outside of the failed attempt by EA a few years back to resurrect the franchise, we really haven’t had a good alternative. Playgrounds fills that void nicely, even with its shortcomings. Anyone wondering if it had to be the shoes would do well to check it out.
Ken McKown · May 17, 2017 Reviewed on XB1Read full review - NBA Playgrounds attracts you on the surface but brings a different yet inconsistent experience to the table that somehow still manages to be fun. Leveling up player cards and playing as legends while landing some awesome dunks are the main attractions. There’s enough nostalgia combined with an entertaining aesthetic to make NBA Playgrounds worth a look for basketball fans.
Cory Wells · May 15, 2017 Reviewed on PS4Read full review - NBA Playgrounds is very nice to look at and its roster has a strong depth that any basketball fan will appreciate. But rather than build a game with hilarious, rollicking action and balance out how that is scored and defended, NBA Playgrounds imposes condition after condition on the users and cripples any chance at consistent fun.
Owen S. Good · May 14, 2017 Reviewed on XB1Read full review
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Community Reviews
- Rated on Switch
About the game
Trailers & Screenshots:
Classic NBA arcade action is back! Take your “A” game to the playground and beat the best in high-flying 2-on-2 basketball action. Practice your skills offline, play with up to three others on your PC, or take your talents online to posterize your opponents with acrobatic jams and ridiculous displays of skill.
Developer: Saber Interactive