NBA Playgrounds gets so much of the setup right, often reawakening the spirit of the NBA Jam series, but it fumbles some of the finer details with needless complications and lacklustre AI. As a solo experience there are much better ways to spend your money, but when it comes to multiplayer NBA Playgrounds is so very nearly shooting nothing but net.
NBA Playgrounds2017
NBA Playgrounds
2017 Mad Dog Games, LLC63Worthwhile
Playtime
ShortIt typically takes about 8 hours to finish the game.
Playable on
Game modes
- 2 players
- 2–4 players
Details
- Launch
- May 8, 2017
- Developer
- Saber Interactive
- Publisher
- Mad Dog Games, LLC
- Themes
- -
Overview
"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, or take your talents online to posterize your opponents with acrobatic jams and ridiculous displays of skill."
Screenshots
Reception
Press65
Players68
WorthwhileWorthwhile- Metacritic63from 24 reviews
- OpenCritic65from 54 reviews
All gripes aside, I've had less fun with games that were full price.
It's great to have a basketball arcade game back in the public domain, but it falls short of the successful heights of NBA Jam.
NBA Playgrounds stifles any above-the-rim action promised by placing condition after condition on the gameplay
I'd say it's a little steep paying $20 for this one. If you're a hardcore NBA fan you might have an enjoyable time with Playgrounds, I'd recommend most other players stick to the 2K series. It's hard to even recommend the Switch version because 2K seems like it's just on the horizon. If you're looking to play NBA Playgrounds I'd suggest at least waiting...