Where to get it

2017 · Saber Interactive · Arcade · Basketball

NBA Playgrounds

"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."

Released: 8 May 2017
Platforms: Nintendo Switch PlayStation 4 Windows Xbox One
Genres: Arcade Basketball Sports
Developers: Saber Interactive
Publishers: —
Modes: Co-op Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: Bird view / Isometric Side view
Country: United States
Age ratings: PEGI 3 ESRB E
Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Spanish (Spain)

About

NBA Playgrounds is a 2017 sports video game developed by Saber Interactive and published by Mad Dog Games for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and for Microsoft Windows, and is a spin-off title of the NBA 2K series published by 2K and a part of the Playground Sports series. Bearing similarities to previous related titles such as NBA Jam and NBA Street, NBA Playgrounds is an arcade-style basketball game officially licensed by the National Basketball Association.

Players say

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

NBA Playgrounds includes a roster of both active and former NBA stars. Both local and online multiplayer modes are included in the game, although local mode requires an internet connection to function on PS4.

Players fill up a roster of players by playing different modes to earn packs. In Tournament Mode, players play four games with challenges with each iteration. Once the tournament is completed, players unlock a court and a gold pack. There is an online mode and exhibition, where players can play to upgrade themselves to bronze, silver, and gold.

Reception

NBA Playgrounds received a largely mixed critical reception, earning a 6/10 from GameSpot and a 7.4/10 from IGN.

Nintendo Life gave the title a 7/10, praising the online and local multiplayer gameplay, but criticized the slow pace of the single-player mode and poor odds of card packs. They recommended the game only for the Nintendo Switch as it is the only basketball title available for the platform at the time.