NBA THE RUN is going back to the 2000s in a big way, with Play by Play Studios, the NBA and NBPA announcing that the game’s upcoming “Wave One – 2000s Legends” update will launch on September 29 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. A new trailer gives players a closer look at what is being billed as the game’s biggest update yet, including the arrival of five iconic NBA stars.
Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki will all join NBA THE RUN as the game’s first group of unlockable Hall of Fame legends. Each player costs 5,000 CRED, which can be earned through gameplay, while players who want to unlock all five immediately can purchase them together for $9.99.
The new legends are also being given their own stylized looks and signature moves, with Iverson bringing his crossover-heavy game, Carter his explosive dunks, McGrady his scoring ability, Garnett his defensive presence and Nowitzki his long-range shooting. The additions should give players some very different options when putting together their 3v3 teams.
The update is not limited to the new players, however, with a sizable collection of features and gameplay changes being added for everyone. A new Dyckman NYC court will be available in both daytime and tournament variants, while new camera options in the form of the overhead Drive Cam and Drive Flip Cam will offer a different perspective on the action.
NBA THE RUN is also adding Custom Matches, allowing players to create private games with friends and select their preferred court and ruleset. A new Practice Mode will provide another way to experiment with the game’s mechanics by letting players choose a court and ruleset before taking on AI opponents.
The gameplay itself is receiving several adjustments as well, including new standing dunks, driving layups and advanced moves, along with further player tuning and changes to goaltending. Players can also look forward to new taunts, original music, the game’s first licensed tracks and a championship belt awarded for tournament victories.
The update marks the beginning of NBA THE RUN’s first official Season, following a series of post-launch additions that have already expanded the roster, courts, rulesets, game modes and unlockable content. The developers have also teased more content for the future, including additional NBA rookies.
NBA THE RUN currently features more than 36 NBA stars and fictional streetball legends, with each character designed around their own look and playstyle. The 3v3 experience also uses rollback netcode, which is designed to keep online matches synchronized as players trade crossovers, chase loose balls and set up alley-oops.
NBA THE RUN is currently available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam for $29.99, while the Deluxe Edition is priced at $39.99. Ahead of the upcoming NBA season, both editions will also receive discounts across the various platforms, with the Standard Edition going up to 34% off and the Deluxe Edition receiving a 25% discount. The PS5 sale begins today, with additional platform discounts coming in the following weeks.
The “Wave One – 2000s Legends” update arrives on September 29, giving NBA THE RUN players a chance to take some of the most recognizable stars of the 2000s onto the streetball court.