NBA Jam (1993)

This article is about the 1993 arcade game. You may be looking for the 2010 video game of the same name.

NBA Jam (1993)
File:62000901.jpg Boomshakalaka!
Genre(s): Sports Platform(s): Arcade Super NES Sega Genesis Game Gear Game Boy Sega CD Sega Saturn Arcade1up Release: Arcade (April 1993) Game Gear, Sega Genesis, and SNES NA (March 4, 1994) Game Gear, Sega Genesis, and SNES EU (1994) Game Gear, Sega Genesis, and SNES JP (April 29, 1994) Game Boy NA (November 1994) Game Boy EU (November 24, 1994) Game Boy JP (1994) Sega CD NA and EU (1994) Sega CD JP (December 20, 1994) Tournament Edition NA and EU (February 23, 1995) Tournament Edition JP (February 24, 1995). Developer(s): Midway Iguana (consoles, GG) Beam Software (Game Boy) Torus Games (Tournament Edition GB) Publisher(s): Midway Acclaim Entertainment (Consoles) Country: United States Series: NBA Jam

NBA Jam is a basketball arcade game published and developed by Midway in 1993. This is the first game in the NBA Jam series. This is the third basketball game released by Midway after TV Basketball and Arch Rivals. This is just a game that has a two-on-two basketball gameplay. The original arcade version has a team roster from the 1992-93 NBA season with the console versions using the roster from the 1993-94 NBA season.

Why It's On Fire

1. This game is notable for bringing mainstream success to the sports video game genre. Without this game, sports games wouldn't be too mainstream.
2. Believable graphics. The game has sprites that are not only colorful but also capture the realism of basketball without being uncanny. The sprites used on the people are good examples of this. No wonder the game captures the spirit of a real basketball game.
3. Sprite animation here is great to look at. From the words that have effects (like the "Join In" words) to the character animation during your typical basketball game. What else do you expect from a high-quality retro game?
4. One of the first sports games to feature NBA-licensed teams and players which are used to make digitized versions of various players
5. If you can make three baskets in a row, you will be "on fire". The "on fire" mechanic grants the player unlimited turbo and increased shooting precision. The only time "on fire" gets removed is when the other team scores or when the player who is on fire scores four additional consecutive baskets during this state.
6. Chaotic yet fun gameplay. Players can jump high to make slam dunks that defy both human capabilities and the laws of physics. Unlike real basketball, there are no fouls, free throws, or violations except goaltending and 24-second violations.
7. Has a ton of easter eggs, special features, and players. To get them, you have to activate them by the initials or button/joystick commands. Here are a few examples.
   • There are codes where you can unlock certain characters to be added in the game like Bill Clinton, Benny the bull, Fresh Prince, Scorpion, Raiden, Reptile, Sub-Zero, Hugo the hornet, Willie "Air" Morris, Sheridan Oursler, Ed Boon, you name it. Very evident on the console versions which are known for the new secret characters.
   • On the arcade machine, there is a hidden "tank" game. This allows the players to drive a tank and shoot enemy tanks for a minute.
8. The voice clips used for the announcer. To put it this way, it's crisp to listen to due to the quality of the sound. Sounds like it's replicating an actual NBA game don't you think?
9. Funky soundtrack that is worth a jam (no pun intended). Especially the main theme.
10. During gameplay, there is a title card segment called "Coaching Tips". The title cards for the tips do provide some useful tips for players just as you would expect. The tips are randomized, but they help out in the long run.
11. The half-time report segment. While the video quality is pretty fuzzy due to limitations at its time, the game manages to still use live-action footage used for the halftime report screen.
12. Notice: When 4 players play, the winning team stays on for free!. Sounds generous right?
13. The game is easy to pick up. Regardless if you like sports or not, you will easily get used to the nature of the game.
14. More up-to-date rosters were available in some ports of the game that was released for the Sega CD, Game Boy, and Game Gear.
15. Has another version of the game called NBA Jam: Tournament Edition. This game had more detailed player attributes, a new OST, player substitutions after each quarter, and additional power-ups. Has a mode called "Tournament Mode" which turns off all cheats and power-ups? Complete this mode and you will be rewarded with an expanded roster for nearly all teams.
    • The console versions added practice mode and juice mode, optional game toggles, and an "injury" stat that lowers a character's stats.

Bad Qualities

1. The updated versions removed some characters like the Mortal Kombat characters. In fact, two basketball players Dražen Petrović and Reggie Lewis were removed on the home versions due to their respective deaths.
2. Though innovative and early for its time being, the sound quality still sounds pretty fuzzy.
   • Same can be said about the live-action footage used in the half-time segment.
3. The Sega CD version has a longer loading time.
4. The A.I at times can be tough.
5. The GameBoy version is a downgrade. The controls here are awkward and the sprites on the people look weird.

Reception

The game became popular and generated a significant amount of money for arcades after its release. In early 1994, the Amusement & Music Operators Association reported that NBA Jam had become the highest-earning arcade game of all time in the United States

Trivia

1. Bart Simpson from The Simpsons and Godzilla were intended to be secret characters. They were scrapped.
2. In pop culture, the phrases "He's heating up", "He's on fire" and "Bomshakalaka!" are identified with this game.
3. The upbeat, funky music written by Jon Hey was inspired by sports music themes and has been compared to George Clinton's P-Funk All Stars.
4. In July of 2009, Ed Boon (the creator of Mortal Kombat) revealed on Twitter that a Mortal Kombat court was to be hidden in a console port of NBA Jam or NBA Hangtime

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