PS5 open beta for NBA The Run starts May 30

The PlayStation 5 open beta for NBA The Run begins May 30 and runs through the weekend ahead of the game’s full release on June 9. The title will be available on PS5 for $29.99 at launch. The developer is inviting players to join its Discord and to wishlist the game on the PlayStation Store to provide feedback during the test.

The studio described the game’s controls as intended to be highly responsive, saying the game should feel “butter on the sticks.” The beta introduces five fictional Street Legends, characters created with three 6-star elite skills and specific weaknesses that affect team composition and match strategy.

The five Street Legends are Spin Cycle, Shen Tong, Destiny Jackson (DJ), El Gigante and Bobbito Garcia. Spin Cycle, from Philadelphia, has elite handles and hands and a Pickpocket Zone Ability that generates turnovers, while his finishing at the rim is limited. Shen Tong, a 14-year-old from Beijing listed at 5’3″, has high leaping ability and elite passing; his In the Zone Dropping Dimes ability boosts his passes and teammates’ shot success, but he lacks defensive strength and power. Playtesters who reach level 5 in the beta will unlock Shen Tong.

Destiny Jackson represents Rucker Park in Harlem and has elite midrange and deep shooting; her Deep Threat ability increases long-range effectiveness, while she is not built to attack the rim or rebound. El Gigante, a 7’7″ Spaniard based at Venice Beach, focuses on rebounding and shot-blocking; his Paint Control ability makes the rim a defensive stronghold, but he has limited mobility and slow recovery after missed plays. Bobbito Garcia, the only Street Legend based on a real person, serves as the game’s announcer and a playable offensive specialist; his In the Zone Ankle Breaker ability enhances ball-handling and long-range shooting, while defense is a notable weakness.

Street Legends exceed the usual attribute limits in NBA The Run. Most roster characters reach one or two 6-star ratings; Street Legends have three 6-star ratings, making them high-impact specialists intended as rarer roster options.

The developer provided an example of squad construction that pairs El Gigante as a defensive anchor with perimeter scorers to exploit floor spacing and convert stops into momentum. The open beta is intended to collect player feedback on balance and controls before the June 9 release. Players can try the five Street Legends during the weekend beta on PS5 and submit feedback through the studio’s channels.