NBA Playgrounds

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Critics Recommend

Average Score

Total Reviews: 62

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Critics Recommend

Critic Reviews: 62

Critics Consensus

# Reviews: 62

A summary of the critical opinion for this game will be provided after release or a minimum of 15 reviews have been aggregated.

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Critic Reviews for NBA Playgrounds

Reviews

High Score - 80/100

Low Score - 40/100

Matt Bertz (Game Informer)

7/10

“Considering legacy brands like NBA Jam and NBA Street are nowhere to be found this generation, NBA Playgrounds is a welcome hoops diversion for sports game fans.”

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Blake Hester (GameSpot)

6/10

“Even if Playgrounds’ single-player mode lacks the unbridled merriment that makes multiplayer so enjoyable, finally getting the upper hand in a tournament is rewarding and exciting in its own way. But even at its best, Playgrounds doesn’t offer enough variety to keep you engaged for long.”

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Owen Good (Polygon)

4.5/10

“NBA Playgrounds stifles any above-the-rim action promised by placing condition after condition on the gameplay”

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**Read all 62 critic reviews on the desktop version of VSG.

Read the Reviews (62 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
ACG	Jeremy Penter	Not Recommended	05-08-2017	Video Review	Read review
Areajugones	Pablo Espinosa	7 / 10	05-12-2017	Despite of having some gameplay issues, NBA Playgrounds is a very entertaining and funny game that will make us play for hours thanks to its 2 vs. 2 matches.	Read review
Atomix	Emilio Reyes	72 / 100	05-12-2017	NBA Playgrounds is not perfect, at this moment the game could offer us a deep variety of game modes and there are some mechanics like precision in perfect shots that are difficult to understand. On the other side, is a very fun experience when you are challenging other player on your own platform or in the competitive online matches.	Read review
Attack of the Fanboy	William Schwartz	3.5 / 5 stars	05-09-2017	The handful of complaints I have about NBA Playgrounds don’t really take away from fun this game offers as a whole. There’s definitely good times to be had, the progression system is worthwhile, and online can be incredibly competitive despite the potential for connection issues. NBA Playgrounds is the new king of the cartoon court, even if there isn’t much competition anymore.	Read review
Chalgyr’s Game Room	Nick Herber	5.5 / 10	05-17-2017	There is a fun game here in NBA Playgrounds, but this is by no means the best version of the game. The other issue is that the game is a little on the shallow side. It is a shame really, because there is a fun title to be had here, but issues hold it back and the end result is a merely average sports outing.	Read review
COGconnected	Grady Penna	65 / 100	05-22-2017	There is no career or story mode, and really no options for customizing a game beyond how long it goes on for or how many points you need to win.	Read review
Cubed3	Shane Jury	6 / 10	06-26-2017	NBA Playgrounds plays well to the strengths of the Nintendo Switch, providing a fun multiplayer basketball game, with authentic players and commentary. Difficulty spikes in solo play are too steep to ignore, though, and the current absence of online play greatly diminishes long-term viability. A great game is here, but not yet at the surface.	Read review
Destructoid	Patrick Hancock	7.5 / 10	05-09-2017	Plus, it allows me to play out my dream scenario of “Kristaps Porzingas being teamed up with someone halfway decent,” so that’s exciting.	Read review
Digital Chumps	Steven McGehee	7.3 / 10	12-05-2016	Playgrounds does alright for itself coming off the bench, hopefully we see Saber continue to refine this and perhaps we’ll see some kind of semi-annualized franchise here that gets progressively better.	Read review
Digitally Downloaded	Matt Sainsbury	3 / 5 stars	05-12-2017	As a spiritual successor to NBA Jam, NBA Playgrounds really does a great job of recreating that zany arcade feeling of streetball two versus two action. As a huge fan of the genre who recalls dropping a lot of quarters into the NBA Jam arcade cabinet when I was younger, I am the target audience for this title. The slick visuals and over-the-top action are a lot of fun, but some inconsistencies in the gameplay and a lack of depth limit this to title to a status of fun filler of must-play hoops action.	Read review
DualShockers	Jordan Boyd	5.5 / 10	05-14-2017	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 until online is available. But if you’ve really got a basketball itch, this game does a decent job at scratching it.	Read review
Eurogamer	Martin Robinson	Not Recommended	05-10-2017	NBA Jam is revived in this spiritual successor, though not everything’s quite as you remember it…	Read review
FNintendo	António Branquinho	5 / 10	06-11-2017	NBA Playgrounds is fun with friends…and that’s about it, playing this on single player mode is nothing short of disappointing due to the unasked for “players on stickers” mechanic, enormous loading times between matches which also affect the multiplayer mode and the for time still absent online mode make this a game that will not appeal to those looking for an intense and action-packed arcade basketball game.	Read review
Forbes	Brian Mazique	8 / 10	05-09-2017	This is a fully licensed two-on-two NBA arcade title that does most things right. It’ll be interesting to see what’s in store for fans of the game via updates, patches, and DLC.	Read review
Game Informer	Matt Bertz	7 / 10	05-12-2017	Considering legacy brands like NBA Jam and NBA Street are nowhere to be found this generation, NBA Playgrounds is a welcome hoops diversion for sports game fans	Read review
Game Revolution	Griffin Vacheron	3 / 5 stars	05-09-2017	If there’s never another arcade-style hoops title for Switch, then Playgrounds certainly meets my bare-minimum needs. It could have been so much more though, and as such I’m hoping Saber Interactive comes back with a fleshed-out second attempt (maybe another sport?) sometime down the road. In the meantime, Playgrounds delivers the outrageous exhibitions you’re looking for	Read review
Gameblog	Romain Mahut	7 / 10	05-15-2017	NBA Playgrounds is a fun addition to the arcade basketball genre, especially on the Nintendo Switch. The game isn’t without some flaws though. The AI is unfair and the shooting mechanics are very tough to master. Releasing the game without its online mode is also a strange choice. That being said, the game offers more than enough to allow fans of NBA Jam and NBA Street to have a good time. Let’s just hope that Saber will soon fix the game’s issues.	Read review
GameCrate	David Jagneaux	6.8 / 10	05-10-2017	NBA Playgrounds aims to bring the best elements of NBA Jam into the modern era of basketball, but falls short in some areas. The core of the high-octane gameplay is there, but it’s not enough to push past all of the game’s shortcomings.	Read review
GameGrin	Nathan Hunter	8 / 10	06-19-2017	In summary, NBA Playgrounds is a really fun and quirky title. 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. I found the game better on handheld rather than playing off a TV, due to its ‘on the move’ vibe, and in that respect, it’s undoubtedly a nice game to just unwind with and enjoy for what it is.	Read review
Gamerheadquarters	Jason Stettner	7.5 / 10	05-11-2017	Those that like Basketball or even casual players looking for some silly action will enjoy some outdoor dribbling.	Read review
GameSpew	Matt Eakins	6 / 10	06-01-2017	The best analogy for NBA Playgrounds is that it’s like a leaky ship. The exterior, with its charm and aesthetically pleasing look, hides an interior rife with small missteps and annoyances.	Read review
GameSpot	Blake Hester	6 / 10	05-11-2017	Even if Playgrounds’ single-player mode lacks the unbridled merriment that makes multiplayer so enjoyable, finally getting the upper hand in a tournament is rewarding and exciting in its own way. But even at its best, Playgrounds doesn’t offer enough variety to keep you engaged for long.	Read review
GamingBolt	Alex Jackson	5 / 10	05-24-2017	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.	Read review
GamingTrend	Elisha Deogracias	50 / 100	06-30-2017	The Nintendo Switch version of NBA Playgrounds is probably the most inferior. While an entertaining romp with fun mechanics, a lack of content and fundamental patches keep this from being a slam dunk.	Read review
GBAtemp	Austin Trujillo	6 / 10	05-11-2017	Playgrounds sure isn’t an NBA Jam, but it feels okay for a return to arcade style basketball. I’d like to see EA try again in the future, hopefully taking some of the bare minima they’ve learned from Playgrounds to make a more enticing experience.	Read review
GearNuke	Danial Arshad Khan	7 / 10	05-16-2017	NBA Playgrounds feels like an experiment to bring the arcade basketball style back into action. It might have an enjoyable gameplay system that is casual friendly but it lacks in content and gameplay modes, not to mention it is simply not fun to play against the dull A.I controlled opponents.	Read review
God is a Geek	Chris White	7 / 10	05-15-2017	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.	Read review
Hardcore Gamer	Cory Wells	3.5 / 5 stars	05-15-2017	All gripes aside, I’ve had less fun with games that were full price.	Read review
IGN	Chase Becotte	7.4 / 10	05-09-2017	NBA Playgrounds isn’t as deep as NBA Street or as beautifully simple as NBA Jam, but the gameplay is still well paced and the controls are still tight. It mixes this gameplay with cartoonish qualities and a retro style that fits an arcade basketball game, and earning new packs of random players is always rewarding. That said, I’ve taken some bad beats from the random power-ups system, and the online options are slimmer than I’d like. But as long as Saber Interactive delivers on its post-release updates, Playgrounds will have enough going for it to keep me coming back for more.	Read review
IGN Spain	Juan García	6.9 / 10	05-10-2017	Fun on short bursts but plagued with little flaws that makes the game less funny than it should have been.	Read review
Kinglink Reviews	Kinglink Reviews	2 / 5 stars	12-31-2018	Not Good, Not good at all	Read review
Marooners’ Rock	Adam Bankhurst	7.4 / 10	05-15-2017	For $20, NBA Playgrounds has a lot to offer, especially if you have a few friends who remember the glory days of NBA Jam. While it doesn’t quite capture lighting in a bottle, it makes a valiant effort, and deserves a look.	Read review
MonsterVine	Carlos Macias	3 / 5 stars	05-22-2017	NBA Playgrounds is a fine arcade baller that wears its inspirations clearly on its sleeveless sleeves and helps that it boasts a representative NBA roster for fun mix-and-match court battles.	Read review
New Game Network	Stephen LaGioia	65 / 100	06-04-2017	The smattering of flaws aside, NBA Playgrounds manages to be a fun multiplayer street hoops experience that is at least partially successful in recapturing the charm of NBA Jam. Player decks and lottery pick meter are subtle but effective elements to help give the game a bit of its own character.	Read review
Nintendo Life	Steve Bowling	7 / 10	05-09-2017	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 local multiplayer experience that we’re hopeful can be recreated well online. If you’re thinking of picking this one up, then, we recommend you do your homework and proceed with caution; perhaps wait until the online multiplayer is live, too.	Read review
NintendoWorldReport	Neal Ronaghan	6 / 10	07-12-2017	While I had fun with the single-player, NBA Playgrounds is mostly a mess otherwise.	Read review
PCMag	Jeffrey L. Wilson	3 / 5 stars	05-09-2017	Saber Interactive’s NBA Jam-a-like delivers monster dunks and a novel leveling system that enables this high-flying sports game to leap over at least some of its flaws.	Read review
Player2.net.au	Matt Hewson	Recommended	05-09-2017	NBA Playgrounds is a slightly less flashy, but more skillful version of NBA Jam that should keep fans of the formula very happy. A must buy for party gamers everywhere.	Read review
PlayStation LifeStyle	Tyler Treese	7 / 10	05-09-2017	It’s exciting to think about what a potential sequel could offer, but what’s currently being sold is a good, but definitely not great, arcade game that doesn’t manage to outdo its fantastic predecessors.	Read review
Polygon	Owen Good	4.5 / 10	05-14-2017	NBA Playgrounds stifles any above-the-rim action promised by placing condition after condition on the gameplay	Read review
PowerUp!	Matthew Manchester	7 / 10	05-21-2017	If you want a good couch co op game that you can have a couple of quick games with it’s perfect.	Read review
PS4Blog.net	Tracey	7 / 10	05-19-2017	My one gripe with the game is that every now and then, the controls would feel off. I’d be playing and doing great, and then the opposing team would steal the ball and my player was way out there off screen and wouldn’t run fast enough to defend. The blocking is also another issue since it didn’t trigger properly even after I followed the instructions perfectly. Hopefully the game is patched soon to improve these two things.	Read review
PSX Brasil	Thiago de Alencar Moura	70 / 100	05-19-2017	NBA Playgrounds goes all in on the arcade style, the charisma and the fame power of the NBA stars, and it almost hits the jackpot. Some minor problems prevent the game from reaching its full potential, but if there’s a sequel planned, there’s a solid groundwork to begin with.	Read review
Push Square	Brandon Marlow	7 / 10	05-11-2017	NBA Playgrounds is a good modern take on the old-school arcade basketball game genre. It brings enough new ideas to the court to keep things feeling fresh, but at heart, it still retains the charm and accessibility that made NBA Jam such a beloved franchise. There are a few kicks with the shooting mechanics and rebounding is less than ideal, but the gameplay is strong enough in other areas to ensure it’s still an overall slam dunk.	Read review
Rectify Gaming	Mike Boccher	7.5 / 10	05-10-2017	Keeps the nostalgic feel to the game type we’re familiar with while adding its own flair to it.	Read review
Saving Content	Scott Ellison II	3 / 5 stars	05-17-2017	Saber Interactive plays homage to NBA Jam and even a little bit of NBA Street with NBA Playgrounds, and does so with enough changes to the formula to make it interesting, even if the attitude and enthusiasm is a bit subdued. NBA Playgrounds has some erratic difficulty swings during exhibition and tournament modes, but the arcade basketball is fun and easy to pick-up-and-play solo, local, or even online.	Read review
SelectButton	Kevin Mitchell	7 / 10	05-09-2017	NBA Playground feels straight out of the 90s arcade scene, with crazy maneuvers, and fast-paced two-on-two NBA action. The dueling commentators do make the occasional cringe worthy joke, that sadly will get repeated throughout the match based on the players competing. Saber has proven they are willing to improve the online experience and with regular content updates, NBA Playgrounds could keep fans clamoring for this type of arcade sports game playing for quite some time.	Read review
Sirus Gaming	David Rix	5.9 / 10	05-18-2017	Overall, NBA Playgrounds could’ve been the next NBA Jam. It nails everything from the look of the characters, to the lighthearted commentary. While it’s fun at first for a few rounds, as time goes on the cracks start to show and you realize that this game is more of an attempted layup than an actual slam dunk. If you’ve never played an NBA Jam game before, you can give this game a shot. Otherwise, for a true arcade basketball experience, stick to the classics.	Read review
SomHráč.sk	Róbert Herda	50 / 100	06-02-2017	NBA Playgrounds is an average arcade game that’s best enjoyed in local multiplayer with friends. Otherwise, there’s not much to offer compared to the competition.	Read review
Sports Gamers Online	Michael Straw	6 / 10	05-18-2017	NBA Playgrounds has potential, but it just leaves too much in the locker room to be considered anything more than unpolished. At least there’s no micro-transactions in this one.	Read review
Stevivor	Steve Wright	6.5 / 10	05-15-2017	Bland and generic against the computer, Playgrounds is infinitely better with friends. Priced competitively at around the $30 AUD mark, depending on console, it’s worth a bounce if you go in with your expectations set at the right point.	Read review
The Games Machine	Davide Mancini	6 / 10	05-11-2017	An excellent idea, a not so excellent execution. A great filler for a play night with friends, but its charm rapidly fades, mostly because of some prominent balancing issues.	Read review
TheSixthAxis	Dominic Leighton	7 / 10	05-18-2017	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.	Read review
ThisGenGaming	Jordan Phipps	6.5 / 10	05-19-2017	NBA Playgrounds is the definition of a game that’s a mixed bag.	Read review
Thumbsticks	James Sweeting	3 / 5 stars	05-24-2017	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.	Read review
TrueAchievements	Mark Delaney	4 / 5 stars	05-12-2017	NBA Playgrounds follows in the footsteps of games like NFL Blitz, FIFA Street, and (of course) NBA Jam. It takes a simple premise — over-the-top arcade sports — and nearly perfects it. It misses an easy layup by excluding invitation options online, but hopefully the promised patch arrives to bring this game closer to an all-time great. Everything else, from the aesthetics and the music to the gameplay and the special wrinkle of wallet-free card collecting, is an uncontested slam dunk.	Read review
Twinfinite	Tom Hopkins	3 / 5 stars	05-15-2017	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.	Read review
VGChartz	Evan Norris	Not Recommended	05-13-2017	Fussy shooting mechanics and some missing modes neutralize the overall experience to a degree, but the game’s strong moment-to-moment gameplay keeps it afloat. With enough practice and patience (and patching), Playgrounds could be a perennial crowd-pleaser.	Read review
Video Chums	A.J. Maciejewski	8 / 10	05-11-2017	If you dig arcade basketball then NBA Playgrounds is a great addition to the genre.	Read review
Windows Central	Paul Acevedo	3 / 5 stars	05-12-2017	NBA Playgrounds comes close to being a good arcade basketball game … but it doesn’t quite score the bucket.	Read review

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About NBA Playgrounds

Game Description / Storyline:

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.

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