New Trailer Reveals Release Date for Beloved PS2 Game’s Spiritual Successor

Select Language:

A new game serving as a spiritual successor to the classic PS2 sports titles is set to launch soon.

What PS2 spiritual successor is releasing shortly?

NBA The Run, a fresh basketball game developed by a team of seasoned industry veterans at an independent studio, is scheduled for release in June across PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC. A closed beta will kick off on May 1, 2026, from 12 to 3 p.m. EST on PC, with registration open now for interested players.

The development team, Play by Play Studios, comprises former EA Sports developers eager to bring back the streetball style that gained fame through titles like NBA Street.

In this game, players will showcase spectacular dunks and airborne moves while also taking control of some of the league’s top stars. The roster includes NBA icons such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, LaMelo Ball, Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, Anthony Edwards, and Cooper Flagg. More than 30 NBA players and five fictional streetball legends will be playable at launch.

At release, the game will feature the following modes:

Knockout Squads: Form a team of three, controlling one player, and team up with friends or other players to compete against others.
Knockout Solos: Build your own team of three, controlling all players, and face off against other players’ teams.
Knockout Friends: Host private tournaments, playing solo against AI, team up with friends against AI, or invite up to 48 players for head-to-head matches at launch.

“NBA The Run captures the essence of the classic titles that sparked a love of basketball for countless fans,” said Nikki Pozzi, Vice President of Licensing at THNK450, the licensing and partnership division of the NBPA. “We’re excited to offer fans another way to connect more deeply with our players and the sport through gaming.”

Players will have the option to compete solo or in squads, taking part in Knockout Tournaments on legendary streetball courts to earn the title of GOAT. To evoke the nostalgic vibe of NBA Street, the game has enlisted the voice of legendary New York DJ Bob “Bobbito” Garcia, a familiar voice from the NBA Street series, to lend his expertise.