Although we've been playing basketball video games for decades now, the hobby is still capable of surprising us. To that end, what are the biggest surprises - both positive and negative - in basketball gaming in 2026? We share and discuss what amazes and astonishes us when it comes to the virtual hardwood, from the games themselves to changes in modding culture and community attitudes. Our listeners also weigh in with their thoughts on the subject.

The post NLSC Podcast #632: What Surprises Us About Basketball Gaming in 2026 appeared first on NLSC.

The second closed beta for NBA The Run took place last weekend, and we both had a chance to participate! To that end, this week we're providing more detailed hands-on impressions of the soon-to-be-released game, as well as discussing whether or not it's worth the newly-announced price tag. We also read out some of the community's latest thoughts on NBA The Run, and react to some of the toxic positivity that's sadly stifling constructive feedback.

The post NLSC Podcast #631: Will NBA The Run Be Worth The Price? appeared first on NLSC.

Entering 2026, we had some plans and goals for the virtual hardwood. Since we're rapidly approaching the middle of the year, we decided to check in on how those plans are going! To that end, this week we're joining the community in discussing our basketball gaming habits so far in 2026, from the selection of titles that we're playing to the modes that have kept us hooked.

The post NLSC Podcast #630: 2026 Basketball Gaming Habits appeared first on NLSC.

Last week, Play By Play Studios held a closed beta for NBA The Run, which is set to release in June 2026. Derek was able to take part, and so this week, he's sharing his detailed hands-on impressions of the game, breaking down the key positives and negatives while also making some recommendations for how it could improve. We also read out the community's thoughts on what they've seen of NBA The Run so far.

The post NLSC Podcast #629: NBA The Run Hands-On Impressions & Feedback appeared first on NLSC.

While it's exciting to be on the cutting edge of gaming technology, we're not always in a rush to upgrade. This week, we're taking a look at why basketball gamers often stick with last gen hoops titles - ourselves included - and some of the benefits of delaying a jump to the next generation. We also touch on next gen elitism and gatekeeping, and the community shares their experiences sticking with last gen basketball video games.

The post NLSC Podcast #628: Why Some Basketball Gamers Stick With Last Gen appeared first on NLSC.

We're back on the air after an unfortunate technical mishap last week, and ready to take a deep dive into the PlayStation version of NBA Live 96! After recapping a couple of our sessions with the game, we discuss its features and on-court experience, break down the results of a simulated season, and draw comparisons to the 16-bit and PC versions. We also join the community in discussing which versions of NBA Live 96 we owned and played the most back in the day.

The post NLSC Podcast #627: The Overlooked Version of NBA Live 96 appeared first on NLSC.

We've recently been connecting to play Konami's NBA Starting Five 2005, which was a Japanese-exclusive release. That has inspired us to take an in-depth look at the game, in which we break down its classic teams and other content, and share our impressions of its gameplay, modes, presentation, and other features. We also join the community in discussing whether we would've bought it in addition to or instead of NBA Live 2005 and/or ESPN NBA 2K5 if we'd been able to.

The post NLSC Podcast #626: An In-Depth Look At NBA Starting Five 2005 appeared first on NLSC.

Namo Gamo has announced Super Basketball Classics, a follow-up to the original Basketball Classics released back in 2019. The new game is a throwback to the 16-bit era of basketball gaming, and will also feature the Harlem Globetrotters. This week, we share our thoughts on what we know about Super Basketball Classics so far, and also make some suggestions regarding what we'd like to see in terms of gameplay, modes, and features.

The post NLSC Podcast #625: Our Wishlist for Super Basketball Classics appeared first on NLSC.

A new MVP mixtape trailer has been posted for NBA The Run, which is scheduled for release at some point in 2026. This week, we react to the trailer and the latest information on the game, courtesy of a recently re-posted Q&A that Play By Play Studios held on X back in December. The community also weighs in with their thoughts on the latest previews, including their level of excitement and how much they'd pay for an online-only basketball video game.

The post NLSC Podcast #624: The Latest News on NBA The Run, Set To Release in 2026 appeared first on NLSC.

Bam Adebayo now owns the second-highest mark for scoring in a single NBA game with 83 points; a performance that has certainly drawn mixed reactions from fans and pundits alike. This week, we join the community in giving our thoughts on Bam's 83-point game, and discuss what we believe separates legitimate records and other statistical feats from manufactured accomplishments.

The post NLSC Podcast #623: Bam Scores 83, But What Makes A Record Legitimate? appeared first on NLSC.