NBA Jam

• Release Date: 1993
• Genre: Sports
• Style: Basketball
• Similar Games: NBA HangTime (Arcade), NBA Jam T.E. (Arcade), Virtua NBA (Arcade)

Game Description

NBA Jam is a two-on-two basketball game featuring all of the 27 NBA teams competing in 1993. Not only are the teams there, but so are the real players. You and up to three of your friends can be Olajuwon of the Rockets, Shaq of the Magic, Ewing of the Knicks, etc. (The only superstar noticeably absent is Jordan of the Bulls, though there is a hidden character that bares a strong resemblance to him). Real teams with real players not being enough, the folks at Midway created this game to revolutionize arcade basketball. Their attempt to do this is through the hyperbolically enhanced abilities of the players involved. Depending on a player's abilities in certain areas (dunking, shooting, etc.), it may be possible for him to deliver superhuman dunks or sink countless three-pointers. If a single player sinks three in a row, he's "on fire" and the other team had better watch out. In fact, one might best sum up NBA Jam as "fantasy basketball."

Review: Overall

NBA Jam is a true revolution in arcade basketball. The first thing you will notice about the game before ever playing it is the extraordinary graphics for the time. The players are huge and each resemble the actual player he represented. Scottie Pippen looks like Scottie Pippen. Hakeem Olajuwon looks like Hakeem Olajuwon. This has to be one of the first sports games ever to achieve such a feat. Besides the players looking good, so does the court, the fans, and everything else in the game.

It might be the graphics that first attract you to NBA Jam, but it is the gameplay that will absorb you into it. The players move around pretty much as in any other basketball game up to this point, but the turbo feature sets that aspect apart from, say, Arch Rivals and Double Dribble.

But then there is the superhero-like abilities given to each player. Wow! This makes the game incredibly novel and -- more importantly -- FUN! There are not many things more exhilarating than making Shaq jump a mile high, do three or four flips, then break the backboard as he dunks the ball. Well, maybe one thing. Doing it while on fire! Any player that scores three baskets in a row is "on fire" and virtually unstoppable until the opposing team scores. Fantastic!

If NBA Jam has any faults, they are very minor. The absence of Jordan is noticeable, but there's not much you can do about the legal restrictions keeping him out of the game. Also, when a ball is loose it's sometimes hard to corral it because of the 3-D graphics. Very minor.

In all, NBA Jam has the ability to steal a lot of your money before you know it. Fortunately, a number of home versions can be found.

Review: Enjoyment

The most fun, addictive arcade game I've ever played.

Review: Graphics

Fantastic! The players actually look like who they represent!

Review: Sound

All the screeches of tennis shoes and cheers from the crowd are there. The announcer's a nice touch, even if he does often say, "Terrible shot" as the ball makes its way through the hoop.

Review: Replay Value

Once you've completed your season by beating all 27 teams, new challenges await.

Review: Documentation

All the info you need is given. It's not hard to figure out anyway.

nba jam