NBA Jam

n/a

Mega Drive Mega-CD Game Gear
NBA Jam
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Arena Entertainment (US,EU) Acclaim Japan (JP) Acclaim Entertainment (US,EU)
Developer: Iguana Entertainment
Licensor: Midway Manufacturing, NBA Properties
Sound driver: GEMS
Peripherals supported: Team Player Gear-to-Gear Cable
Genre: Sports, Action
Number of players: 1-4 1
Release Date RRP Code JP 1994-04-29 ¥8,8008,800 T-81033 US 1994-03-04 $64.9964.99 T-81326 EU 1994-03-04 T-81326-50 PT 199x UK 1994-03-04 £44.9944.99 T-81326-50 SE (Rental) 199x AU 1994 $109.95109.95 AU (Sega Sport) 199x FNBA01SMC BR 199x 046330 JP 1994-12-20 ¥8,8008,800 T-81034 US 1994-12 T-81035 EU 1994 T-81035-50 PT 1994 CD81035 UK 1994 £44.9944.99 T-81035-50 BR 1996-03 R$69.9969.99 063376 JP 1994-04-29 ¥3,8003,800 T-81037 US 1994-03-04 T-81248 EU 1994-03-04 T-81248-50 UK 1994-03 £34.9934.99 T-81248-50
Non-Sega versions Arcade Game Boy Super NES

NBA Jam (ＮＢＡ ジャム) is the first in a series of basketball games which carry the NBA license. Unlike the later NBA Live or NBA 2K series, the NBA Jam series is known for being more "arcade-style," with faster gameplay, fewer players on screen, and highly exaggerated dunks. The first game was released in 1993 in arcades and then ported to (among other consoles) the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear, and Sega Mega-CD. A Sega Master System version was also planned at one stage but was canceled.

Later, a sequel named NBA Jam Tournament Edition was released on Sega consoles.

Gameplay

The game puts two players per team on the basketball court. Each game consists of four quarters of three minutes each. The goal is to outscore the other team; baskets from within the three-point line are worth two points, and shots from outside of it are worth three points. A key feature of the game is the exaggerated nature of the play. Players can jump extremely high and make slam dunks that defy both human capabilities and the laws of physics. There are no fouls, free throws, or violations except goaltending and a 24-second shot clock. This means that the player is able to freely shove or elbow opponents out of the way.

Players are moved around the court with the D-Pad. Players have a turbo meter that increases their running speed by holding . The turbo meter is depleted as it is used, but it quickly recharges when it is not used.

The 16-bit versions of the game support up to four players simultaneously with the Team Player, and the Game Gear version supports two players with a Gear-to-Gear Cable. In one- and two-player games, players control one member of their respective teams and have AI-controlled teammates. The game can automatically switch control to whichever team member has the ball by enabling Tag Mode in the options. Unlike later games it is not possible to swap players at halftime.

The game also has a Computer Assistance feature enabled by default that increases the precision of the losing team's shots to ensure a more competitive game.

If players enter their initials before starting a game, the game keeps track of their progress (using a battery backup on the Mega Drive, the console's internal memory on the Mega-CD, and passwords on the Game Gear). If a player defeats all 27 NBA teams, the game plays an ending with credits, and future matches have "Juice Mode" enabled (which makes players move much faster).

	Tip-Off
	Each game starts with a tip-off, where a player from each team leaps with for possession of the ball. Possession of the ball goes to the home team (team two) at the beginning of the second and fourth quarters and to the visiting team (team one) at the beginning of the third quarter, regardless of who wins the tip-off or who had possession of the ball at the end of the last quarter.
	Defense
	When the player's team does not have possession of the ball, the player can try to block the opposing team's shots with . If the player has turbo, the player can perform a higher "super block" with +. If the ball is on the downward trajectory of its arc when it is blocked, the player is charged with goaltending and the other team receives points for a successful basket. However, if the ball touches the rim of the basket, any player on either team can grab it. When near an opposing player, the player can try to steal the ball with . The ball flashes white when the other team touches it. If the player has turbo, the player can also shove another player with +. Shoving can cause the other player to drop the ball or move another player out of the way to clear a shot for a teammate.
	Offense
	When the player's team has possession of the ball, the player can perform a jump shot by holding . The ball is released when the button is released; releasing the button at the apex of the leap leads to a more accurate shot but increases the risk of a defender blocking or stealing the ball. The player can perform a jump pass by pressing while in the air. The player can fake out the other team by tapping , but since this discontinues the player's dribble, the player can no longer move with the ball and must pass or shoot. The player can perform a lay-up or a dunk by pressing while running near the basket with turbo. There are a number of different jams that are performed depending on the player's speed and positioning. If a player makes three baskets in a row, the player becomes "on fire" and has unlimited turbo, no goaltending, and increased shooting precision. The "on fire" mode continues until the other team scores or until the player who is "on fire" scores four additional consecutive baskets while "on fire." The player can pass the ball with . When playing with an AI teammate, pressing forces the AI to pass the ball. Opponents can intercept the ball as it is being passed. If the player has turbo, the player can do a "super pass" with + that is harder to intercept. The player can protect the ball by tapping , which can prevent opponents from trying to steal it.

Roster

Conference	Team	Players
		Mega Drive/Game Gear	Mega-CD
Western	Dallas Mavericks	Derek Harper Jim Jackson	Jim Jackson Jamal Mashburn
	Denver Nuggets	Dikembe Mutombo LaPhonso Ellis	Dikembe Mutombo Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
	Golden State Warriors	Tim Hardaway Chris Mullin	Chris Webber Latrell Sprewell
	Houston Rockets	Hakeem Olajuwon Vernon Maxwell	Hakeem Olajuwon Vernon Maxwell
	L.A. Clippers	Danny Manning Ron Harper	Pooh Richardson Ron Harper
	L.A. Lakers	Vlade Divac James Worthy	Vlade Divac Nick Van Exel
	Minnesota Timberwolves	Christian Laettner Chuck Person	Christian Laettner Isaiah Rider
	Phoenix Suns	Charles Barkley (REV00) Dan Majerle (REV01) Kevin Johnson	Dan Majerle Kevin Johnson
	Portland Trail Blazers	Clyde Drexler Terry Porter	Clyde Drexler Cliff Robinson
	Sacramento Kings	Wayman Tisdale Mitch Richmond	Wayman Tisdale Mitch Richmond
	San Antonio Spurs	David Robinson Sean Elliott	David Robinson Chuck Person
	Seattle Supersonics	Shawn Kemp Detlef Schrempf	Shawn Kemp Detlef Schrempf
	Utah Jazz	Karl Malone John Stockton	Karl Malone John Stockton
Eastern	Atlanta Hawks	Dominique Wilkins Stacey Augmon	Stacey Augmon Mookie Blaylock
	Boston Celtics	Dee Brown Robert Parish	Dee Brown Dominique Wilkins
	Charlotte Hornets	Larry Johnson Alonzo Mourning	Larry Johnson Alonzo Mourning
	Chicago Bulls	Scottie Pippen Horace Grant	Scottie Pippen B.J. Armstrong
	Cleveland Cavaliers	Mark Price Brad Daugherty	Mark Price Brad Daugherty
	Detroit Pistons	Isiah Thomas Bill Laimbeer	Terry Mills Joe Dumars
	Indiana Pacers	Reggie Miller Derrick McKey	Reggie Miller Rik Smits
	Miami Heat	Rony Seikaly Harold Miner	Rony Seikaly Glen Rice
	Milwaukee Bucks	Brad Lohaus Blue Edwards	Vin Baker Eric Murdock
	New Jersey Nets	Derrick Coleman Kenny Anderson	Derrick Coleman Kenny Anderson
	New York Knicks	Patrick Ewing John Starks	Patrick Ewing John Starks
	Orlando Magic	Nick Anderson Scott Skiles	Nick Anderson Penny Hardaway
	Philadelphia 76ers	Clarence Weatherspoon Jeff Hornacek	Clarence Weatherspoon Jeff Malone
	Washington Bullets	Tom Gugliotta Harvey Grant	Tom Gugliotta Calbert Cheaney

History

Legacy

NBA Jam became one of the highest grossing arcade games of all time, and the Mega Drive version was one of the top-selling games for that platform in the United States.

The game spawned a number of sequels and spin-offs, including NBA Jam Tournament Edition, College Slam, and NBA Hang Time. It also inspired several imitators, such as Barkley Shut Up and Jam!, Jammit, and Space Jam. Midway adapted the formula of fast-paced, arcade-style gameplay to other sports, including the NFL Blitz series.

Versions

The Sega Mega-CD version features an updated player roster and higher-quality music and voice samples but introduces significant load times.

Production credits

Mega Drive and Game Gear versions

• Developed by: Team Iguana, Acclaim White Team "Delivers the facial!"
• Producer: Dan Feinstein "Everything is gonna be everything"
• Associate Producer: Asif Chaudhri "Brooklyn's in the house, peace and I'm out!"
• Support Team: Jane Biddle-Fenn "Go on witch 'ya bad self!", Eric Kuby "Umm... you've got the wrong Eric", Brett Gow "Does this look normal to you?", Tom Rademacher "And Paul Lynn... oh."
• Special Thanks to: Doug "Spellin'" Yellin, Paul Dussalt, Mark Turmell, and the whole Williams team

Source:

In-game credits

Mega-CD version

• Developed by: Team Iguana, Acclaim White Team "Why? Because we like you"
• Producer: Dan Feinstein "Bubble bubble toil and trouble"
• Associate Producer: Asif Chaudhri "Whats a summer?"
• Support Team: Elizabeth Burgess "Yes I am...", Eric Kuby "What do you mean? It smells like leather", Brett Gow "You can not beat the king", Mark Thienvanick "I love this job", Alex Delucia "I am done with this guy.", Shawn Rosen "I am sticking to my theory"
• Special Thanks to: Paul Dussalt, Mark Turmell, Jamie Rivett, Sal Divita, and the whole Williams team

Source:

In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: NBA Jam/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: NBA Jam/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score 1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) 60 Alaab Alcomputtar (SA) 84 Alaab Alcomputtar (SA) 91 Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J 65 Console Mania (IT) PAL 94 Consoles + (FR) 85 Cool Gamer (RU) 40 Computer & Video Games (UK) 89 Computer & Video Games (UK) 90 Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U 97 Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U 76 Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU) 60 Freak (IL) 93 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 80 Gamers (DE) 87 GamesMaster (UK) 92 Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J 60 Hyper (AU) 95 Joker (SI) 91 Joypad (FR) PAL 89 Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) 81 Mega (UK) PAL 91 Mega Action (UK) PAL 82 Mega Fun (DE) PAL 85 Mega Play (US) NTSC-U 80 Mega Power (UK) PAL 94 MegaTech (UK) PAL 86 Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL 89 Player One (FR) 95 Play Time (DE) 91 Power Unlimited (NL) 95 Secret Service (PL) 85 Sega Magazine (UK) PAL 94 Sega Power (UK) PAL 91 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 91 Sega Zone (UK) PAL 90 Svet Kompjutera (YU) 81 Sega Opisaniy i sekretov (RU) 65 Sonic Mag: B.D. & Jeux-Video! (FR) 95 Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J 81 Todo Sega (ES) 90 Tricks (RU) 81 Tricks 16 bit (RU) 91 Video Games (DE) PAL 83 VideoGames (US) NTSC-U 90

	84
Based on 45 reviews

NBA Jam

Mega Drive, JP
Cover
Cart

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, US (NBA Cards)
Cover

Mega Drive, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, SE rental (SF)
Cover

Mega Drive, PT

Mega Drive, AU

Mega Drive, AU (Sega Sport)
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, BR
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega-CD version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

{{{{{icon}}}|L}}
Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score Game Players (US) NTSC-U 87 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 93 Gamers (DE) PAL 87 MAN!AC (DE) PAL 85 Mega (UK) PAL 80 Mega Force (FR) PAL 85 Mega Fun (DE) 85 Mega Power (UK) PAL 84 Next Generation (US) NTSC-U 50 Player One (FR) 80 Play Time (DE) PAL 85 Sega Power (UK) 87 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 86 Sega Pro (UK) 86 Video Games (DE) PAL 83 VideoGames (US) 80

	83
Based on 16 reviews

NBA Jam

Mega-CD, JP
Cover
Spinecard Disc Manual

Mega-CD, US
Cover
Disc Manual

Mega-CD, EU
Cover
Disc Manual

Mega-CD, PT

Mega-CD, BR
Cover

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

{{{{{icon}}}|L}}
Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J 53 Consoles + (FR) PAL 81 Computer & Video Games (UK) PAL 82 Computer & Video Games (UK) PAL 87 Digitiser (UK) 89 Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U 68 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 75 Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J 60 Joypad (FR) PAL 84 Mega Fun (DE) PAL 77 Mega Play (US) NTSC-U 81 Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL 76 Player One (FR) PAL 75 Play Time (DE) 82 Power Unlimited (NL) 95 Sega Power (UK) PAL 89 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 88 Sega Zone (UK) PAL 85 Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J 66 Todo Sega (ES) PAL 82 Video Games (DE) PAL 84 VideoGames (US) NTSC-U 90

	79
Based on 22 reviews

NBA Jam

Game Gear, JP
Cover

Game Gear, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Game Gear, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Technical information

Main article: NBA Jam/Technical information.