NLSC Podcast

Sony has announced that physical copies of PlayStation games will end production in 2028, with the console going digital-only. Despite claims that the decision was made in response to consumer trends, gamers by and large haven't been thrilled with the announcement! This week, we join the community in reacting to the news including a discussion of all the potential drawbacks, comparisons to PC gami...

The specifications of the Steam Machine have been confirmed along with the prices for both models, with and without a controller. Suffice it to say, the announcement has generated some controversy! This week, we're breaking down everything that we know about the Steam Machine, from specs to potential to value for money. We also join the community in discussing whether we'll be picking one up in li...

There have been a number of father-son duos in NBA history, but when it comes to talent, it isn't always a case of "like father, like son"! To that end, this week we're choosing our Top 5 father-son duos for a two-on-two game. While there are some obvious choices with these multi-generational pairings, a couple of our picks might just surprise you! The post NLSC Podcast #636: The NBA’s Greatest Fa...

NBA The Run was released last week, and so far it's certainly drawn a mixed reception from basketball gamers. This week, we're reviewing the new arcade streetball game from Play by Play Studios, breaking down the gameplay and describing our experiences playing in several tournaments. We also read out some impressions that the community has shared with us, and touch once more on the toxicity that N...

With the preview season and indeed the release of NBA 2K27 looming, what are we hoping to see from this year's game from Visual Concepts? This week, we join the community in sharing some of our key Wishlist items, from our most-desired gameplay improvements to ideas for enhancing modes, features, and content. We also discuss a couple of details about NBA 2K27 that have already leaked, and pay trib...

Online gaming undoubtedly has its ups and downs, depending on what you're playing and who you're playing with! To that point, this week we reflect on two very different online gaming experiences, the first being the recent open beta for NBA The Run, and the second being our latest four and five-player Parsec sessions with NBA Live 96 and NBA Live 10. We also have some further impressions of NBA Th...

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 listene...

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 posit...

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 #63...

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 Ru...

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...

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 vers...

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...

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 o...

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...

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...

There's a lot of fun to be had taking on the CPU solo or co-operatively in basketball video games. However, we also have countless fond memories of epic battles with friends, family, and online opponents. This week, we join the community in recalling the best players we've ever faced on the virtual hardwood, and some of the lessons that we took from those showdowns. We also recap a fun game of NBA...

At this point, it's undeniable that tanking has become a huge problem in the NBA, with Commissioner Adam Silver openly pledging to fix the issue. We have our own thoughts on the matter of course, so this week we join the community in discussing our opinions of tanking and the impact that it's had on the league, as well as some possible solutions that might at least curb it. The post NLSC Podcast #...

NBA 2K has been packed full of retro content for over a decade now, but despite some major additions, the overall quality still leaves us wanting. This week, we join the community in discussing how we'd enhance the retro content in future NBA 2K games, from fixes that are absolutely essential to some more ambitious ideas that would make the historical teams and players even more fun to use. The po...

It's Michael Jordan's 63rd Birthday, so we're taking the opportunity to have an in-depth discussion about His Airness! In addition to listing some of MJ's biggest accomplishments and recalling our favourite memories of him in real life - both with the Bulls and the Wizards - we discuss his interesting history in basketball video games. We also read out some of the community's favourite real life a...

Another NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and it's inspired us to reflect on some of the most notable midseason swaps. To that end, this week we're reacting to Complex's list of the Top 20 trade deadline deals in league history. We also join the community in recalling memorable deals that our favourite teams have made - or could've made - as well as franchise mode trades that we can't believe...

The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One generation of NBA 2K games - and their PC ports - saw some fantastic hits, but also a couple of disappointing misses. With that in mind, how would we personally rank the eighth gen NBA 2K releases? That's the challenge before us this week, as we take a look back and rank NBA 2K14 through NBA 2K20 from worst to best. The post NLSC Podcast #617: Ranking NBA 2K on PS4 &...

Do you remember where you were and what you were doing when you witnessed some of the biggest moments in basketball history? This week, we join the community in recalling how we personally experienced memorable events in hoops - NBA or otherwise - from exciting plays and incredible outcomes to shocking news and other moments that stuck with us. The post NLSC Podcast #616: Witnessing Basketball His...

Recent comments by Paul Pierce and Danny Green regarding Michael Jordan supposedly having a "limited bag" have prompted us to reflect on one of the most commonly used buzzwords in basketball discourse these days. To that end, this week we join the community in discussing what we think having a bag means and looks like, and the players past and present that we believe boast the deepest bags. The po...

Who are the most dominant players when they're controlled by the CPU in basketball video games? This week, we join the community in discussing some of the most unguardable players on the virtual hardwood, at least when they're in the hands of the AI. We also reflect on the frustration of not always being able to light it up with those same players ourselves, and mention a few players who haven't b...