If you walked onto a basketball court five years ago wearing one neon green shoe and one bright red one, people would've assumed you got dressed in the dark. Now? It’s a status symbol. The PUMA MB.01 Rick and Morty didn't just drop; it basically reset the expectations for what a collaboration between a pro athlete and a cartoon could actually look like.
Honestly, it shouldn't have worked. Most "character" shoes feel like cheap merch. You know the ones—tacky logos slapped on a budget silhouette. But LaMelo Ball is a bit of a weirdo (in the best way), and his obsession with Adult Swim’s smartest/dumbest show felt real.
When the first pair hit in early 2022, it was absolute chaos. Bots ate them up. Resale prices spiked to nearly $1,000 for a minute there. Since then, PUMA has kept the portal open, releasing a second iteration on the MB.02 and, most recently, a massive collection for the MB.05 in November 2025.
The Evolution of the Portal: From MB.01 to MB.05
People always ask which one is the "best." It’s subjective, sure, but the OG MB.01 is still the king of the mountain for most collectors.
That first release was visceral. The left shoe was a slime green that looked like it was ripped straight from Rick’s portal gun. The right was a bloody, "intergalactic" red. They didn't match. Not even a little. But on the court, under those bright gym lights, they looked incredible. PUMA didn't just change the colors; they put Rick and Morty’s faces on the inside of the tongues and added portal graphics that felt like they had actual depth.
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Then came the MB.02 Rick and Morty in February 2023. This one went for a "Safety Yellow" and "Pink" vibe. It was a bit more polarizing. Some fans loved the softer, trippy color palette, while others felt it lacked the punch of the original green-and-red.
Fast forward to late 2025, and we got the MB.05 Rick and Morty. This drop felt like a full-circle moment. Released on November 21, 2025, for a retail price of $135, it brought back that mismatched energy but with a "Rickie Orange-Electric Peppermint" twist. One shoe leans into Rick’s chaotic aqua tones, while the other captures Morty’s nervous, vibrant orange energy.
Is it actually a good basketball shoe?
Here is the thing: You can’t just look good; you have to be able to hoop in them. LaMelo plays a high-speed, unpredictable game. His shoes have to handle that.
The MB.01 set a high bar. It used PUMA’s NITRO foam, which is essentially nitrogen-injected foam that gives you a ton of bounce without weighing the shoe down. It’s plush. If you’re a guard who jumps a lot, your knees will thank you.
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Performance Breakdown
- Traction: The MB.01 and MB.03 have "sticky" outsoles. On a clean court, you’re Velcroed to the floor. On a dusty court? You’ll be wiping every two minutes. It’s a trade-off.
- Cushioning: The NITRO foam is legit. It’s consistent across the line. Whether you’re wearing the 2022 originals or the 2025 MB.05, the impact protection is top-tier.
- Materials: Most of these use an engineered mesh. It’s breathable, but it’s not "luxury." You’re paying for the tech and the hype, not premium leather.
The MB.02 actually had some issues with being a bit stiff. It took a while to break in. If you find a pair of MB.02 "Adventures" on eBay, just know you’ll probably need a week of light shoot-arounds before they feel right on your feet.
The 2026 Resale Market: What’s It Worth Now?
If you're looking to buy these today, in 2026, be prepared to pay the "hype tax."
The original MB.01 Rick and Morty (the green and red pair) is still the most expensive. A deadstock (brand new) pair in a popular size like a 10 or 10.5 will still run you anywhere from $280 to $350. If you find them for under $200, check the stitching—they’re probably fakes.
The MB.02 version is significantly cheaper, often hovering around the $150 to $180 mark because the demand just wasn't as high.
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As for the new MB.05, since they only dropped a couple of months ago, you can still find them near retail ($135) at some Foot Locker locations or on secondary sites like GOAT for around **$160**. They haven't fully "matured" in value yet.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think this is just a colorway. It’s not. It’s a "capsule."
When PUMA does a Rick and Morty drop, they go all out. The 2025 collection included the PUMA Inverse and the RS Surge, which are lifestyle sneakers meant for walking around, not hooping. They even dropped hoodies and sweatpants that match the "Rickie Orange" colorway.
If you're buying these just to flip them, the apparel usually doesn't hold its value as well as the shoes. Stick to the MB line if you're looking for an investment.
Actionable Steps for Collectors and Players
If you’re trying to track down a pair or decide if they’re right for you, here is the move:
- Check the "Nitro" Seal: If you're buying used, look at the foam. If the NITRO branding is peeling or the foam looks "collapsed," the performance is gone. These are better for your shelf at that point.
- Size Up for Wide Feet: The MB line, especially the MB.01 and MB.04, runs a bit narrow. If you have wide feet, go up half a size. Trust me.
- Authentication is Key: Because these are some of the most faked PUMAs in history, use a service like CheckCheck or only buy from verified marketplaces. Look specifically at the "portal" graphic on the sole—fakes usually can't get the gradient color right.
- Wait for the MB.04 "Alien Skin" if you want the tech: If you don't care about the Rick and Morty branding but want the same feel, the MB.04 "Alien Skin" dropped recently (April 2025) and uses almost identical tooling for a lower price.
The Rick and Morty collab changed the game because it wasn't "corporate cool." It was weird, mismatched, and loud—exactly like LaMelo’s game. Whether you’re a fan of the show or just want people to look at your feet when you cross someone over, these are still some of the most relevant shoes in basketball culture.