NBA Jam

From Sega Retro

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NBAJam title.png

NBA Jam
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Arena Entertainment (US/EU), Acclaim Entertainment (JP)
Developer:
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
GEMS
Peripherals supported:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Mega-CD
Team Player
Genre: Sports

















Number of players:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Mega-CD
1-4
Sega Game Gear
1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥8,8008,800 T-81033
Sega Mega Drive
US
$64.9964.99[3] T-81326
Sega Mega Drive
EU
T-81326-50
Sega Mega Drive
AU
$109.95109.95[7]
Sega Mega Drive
AU
(Sega Sport)
Sega Mega Drive
BR
046330
Tectoy: Todas as Idades
Sega Mega-CD
JP
¥8,8008,800 T-81034
Sega Mega-CD
US
T-81035
Sega Mega-CD
EU
T-81035-50
Sega Mega-CD
PT
CD81035
Sega Mega-CD
BR
R$69,9969,99 063376
Tectoy: Todas as Idades
Sega Game Gear
JP
¥3,8003,800 T-81037
Sega Game Gear
US
T-81248
Sega Game Gear
EU
T-81248-50
Sega Game Gear
UK
£34.9934.99[11][10]
Non-Sega versions

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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 and fewer players on screen, along with highly exaggerated dunks. The first game was released in 1993 in arcades and then ported (among other consoles) to the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear and Sega Mega-CD. A Sega Master System version was also planned at one stage, but was cancelled.

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

Gameplay

The game puts two players per team on the basketball court. There are no fouls and most restrictive rules are not used with the exception of goal tending, which is not allowed, and the shot clock. Three buttons are used and their use varies depending on if on offense or defense. One button will activate turbo, another will shoot/dunk when on offense or block on defense, another will pass on offense or steal/shove on defense. Making three shots in a row leads to the player being "on fire" which gives the player unlimited turbo, no goaltending, and increase shooting ability.

Unlike later games it is not possible to swap players at halftime.

The Sega Mega-CD version features an updated player roster, but is plagued by longer loading times.

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
65 [12]
81 [13]
85 [14]
89 [15]
90 [16]
80 [17]
92 №58
60 №1994-05, p52
89 [18]
81 №20, p56-59
82 №11, p20/21
86 №27, p74/75
89 [19]
95 [20]
94 [4]
91 №52, p34/35
91 №30, p44/45
95 [21]
Sega Mega Drive
85
Based on
18 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[22]
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
84
[23]
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
91
[24]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
65
[25]
Console Mania (IT) PAL
94
[26]
Consoles + (FR)
85
[27]
Cool Gamer (RU)
40
[28]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
89
[29]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
90
[11]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
97
[30]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
76
[31]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
60
[32]
Freak (IL)
93
[33]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
80
[3]
Gamers (DE)
87
[34]
GamesMaster (UK)
92
[35]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[36]
Hyper (AU)
95
[37]
Joker (SI)
91
[38]
Joypad (FR) PAL
89
[39]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
81
[40]
Mega (UK) PAL
91
[41]
Mega Action (UK) PAL
82
[42]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
85
[43]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
80
[44]
Mega Power (UK) PAL
94
[45]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
86
[46]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
89
[6]
Player One (FR)
95
[47]
Play Time (DE)
91
[48]
Power Unlimited (NL)
95
[49]
Secret Service (PL)
85
[50]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
94
[4]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
91
[51]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
91
[52]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
90
[53]
Svet Kompjutera (YU)
81
[54]
Sega Opisaniy i sekretov (RU)
65
[55]
Sonic Mag: B.D. & Jeux-Video! (FR)
95
[56]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
81
[57]
Todo Sega (ES)
90
[58]
Tricks (RU)
81
[59]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
91
[60]
Video Games (DE) PAL
83
[61]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
90
[62]
Sega Mega Drive
84
Based on
45 reviews

NBA Jam

Mega Drive, US
NBAJam MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Nbajam md us cart.jpg
Cart
NBA Jam MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US (NBA Cards)
NBAJam MD US Box Cards.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, EU
NBAJam MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
NBAJam MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
NBAJam MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
NBAJam MD JP CartTop.jpg
NBAJam MD JP Cart Back.jpgNBAJam MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, AU (Sega Sport)
NBAJam MD AU Box SegaSport.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
NBAJam MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
NBAJam MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
NBA Jam MD BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, SE (Rental)
NBAJam MD SE Box Rental.jpg
Cover

Mega-CD version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
80 №28, p60
60 [63]
80 [64]
87 [65]
86 №38, p48/49
80 [66]
Sega Mega-CD
79
Based on
6 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
87
[67]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
93
[68]
Gamers (DE) PAL
87
[69]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
85
[70]
Mega (UK) PAL
80
[71]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
85
[72]
Mega Fun (DE)
85
[73]
Mega Power (UK) PAL
84
[74]
Next Generation (US) NTSC-U
50
[75]
Player One (FR)
80
[64]
Play Time (DE) PAL
85
[76]
Sega Power (UK)
87
[65]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
86
[77]
Sega Pro (UK)
86
[78]
Video Games (DE) PAL
83
[79]
VideoGames (US)
80
[66]
Sega Mega-CD
83
Based on
16 reviews

NBA Jam

Mega-CD, US
NBAJam MCD US Box Back.jpgNBAJam MCD US Box Front.jpg
Cover
NBAJam MCD US Disc.jpg
Disc
Nbajam mcd us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega-CD, EU
NBAJam MCD EU Box Back.jpgNBAJam MCD EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
NBAJam MCD EU Disc.jpg
Disc
Mega-CD, JP
NBAJam MCD JP Box Back.jpgNBAJam MCD JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
NBAJamCD MCD JP Spinecard.jpg
Spinecard
NBAJam MCD JP Disc.jpg
Disc
Mega-CD, BR
NBAJam MCD BR front.jpg
Cover

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
81 [80]
82 [9]
87 [16]
75 [81]
84 [82]
76 [83]
75 [84]
89 №52, p60/61
88 №31, p68/69
Sega Game Gear
82
Based on
9 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
53
[85]
Consoles + (FR) PAL
81
[80]
Computer & Video Games (UK) PAL
82
[9]
Computer & Video Games (UK) PAL
87
[11]
Digitiser (UK)
89
[86]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
68
[87]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
75
[88]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[89]
Joypad (FR) PAL
84
[82]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
77
[90]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
81
[91]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
76
[10]
Player One (FR) PAL
75
[84]
Play Time (DE)
82
[48]
Power Unlimited (NL)
95
[92]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
89
[93]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[94]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
85
[95]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
66
[96]
Todo Sega (ES) PAL
82
[97]
Video Games (DE) PAL
84
[98]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
90
[62]
Sega Game Gear
79
Based on
22 reviews

NBA Jam

Game Gear, US
NBAJam GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngNBAJam GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
NBAJam GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Nbajam gg us manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
NBAJam GG EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngNBAJam GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
NBAJam GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, JP
NBAJam GG JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngNBAJam GG JP Box Front.jpg
Cover

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 eb8360e6
MD5 234bf02f7f7b6fdad65890424d3a8a8f
SHA-1 55f2b26a932c69b2c7cb4f24f56b43f24f113a7c
2MB 1994-01 Cartridge v01
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 10fa248f
MD5 338b8ed45e02d96f1ed31eaab59eaf43
SHA-1 99c5bc57fdea7f9df0cd8dec54160b162342344d
2MB 1993-12 Cartridge v00
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 a6c6305a
MD5 d72f13bc94ad76c90deef86d5a138ff6
SHA-1 2a88b2e1ecf115fa6246397d829448b755a5385e
2MB 1986-02 Cartridge (JP)
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
1993-04 Page
Sega Mega-CD
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
429,649,248 CD (EU) T-81035-50
Sega Mega-CD
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
429,700,992 CD (JP) T-81034
Sega Mega-CD
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
429,649,248 CD (US) T-81035
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 a49e9033
MD5 8aab7b6664b91dd272165997b6fd0161
SHA-1 e7c040a58c8d35bf5b5b556b2d3c55e7a5eb0550
512kB Cartridge (JP)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 820fa4ab
MD5 51ee14347b3f3633299511fa5e637164
SHA-1 30bdf6edfb1772054e15edefd69fbe16efd1797a
512kB Cartridge (US) (Alt)
Sega Game Gear
 ?
CRC32 8f17597e
MD5 3bb261c05bda5e82708af1c361797134
SHA-1 2de5991810bad1a4120a2698530c66d4dbf16f7c
512kB Cartridge (US/EU)

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Mean Machines Sega, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-28), page 3
  2. 2.0 2.1 http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1994-03-04/sports/9403040667_1_nba-jam-nba-players-nba-video-game
  3. 3.0 3.1 GamePro, "March 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 38
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Sega Magazine, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 94
  5. Computer & Video Games, "June 1994" (UK; 1994-05-15), page 63
  6. 6.0 6.1 Mean Machines Sega, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-01-28), page 60
  7. Megazone, "February 1994" (AU; 1994-01-26), page 28
  8. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "December 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 256
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Computer & Video Games, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 80
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Mean Machines Sega, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-28), page 84
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Computer & Video Games, "August 1994" (UK; 1994-07-15), page 112
  12. Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1994" (JP; 1994-04-08), page 16 (18)
  13. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 83 (85)
  14. Consoles +, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 110/111 (110)
  15. Computer & Video Games, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 76-77 (76)
  16. 16.0 16.1 Computer & Video Games, "August 1994" (UK; 1994-07-15), page 112/115 (112)
  17. GamePro, "March 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 36-38 (38)
  18. Joypad, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 72/73 (72)
  19. Mean Machines Sega, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-01-28), page 60-62 (60)
  20. Player One, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 48/49 (48)
  21. Sonic Mag: B.D. & Jeux-Video!, "Juin 1994" (FR; 1994-05-16), page 34/35 (36)
  22. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 150
  23. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 27
  24. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 73
  25. Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1994" (JP; 1994-04-08), page 18
  26. Console Mania, "Febbraio 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 90
  27. Consoles +, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 110
  28. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 146
  29. Computer & Video Games, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 76
  30. Electronic Games (1992-1995), "February 1994" (US; 1994-01-20), page 90
  31. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "February 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 38
  32. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 345
  33. Freak, "3/94" (IL; 1994-xx-xx), page 1
  34. Gamers, "Mai/Juni 1994" (DE; 1994-05-06), page 36
  35. GamesMaster (UK) "Series 3, episode 22" (1994-02-01, 24:00) (+8:16)
  36. Hippon Super, "May 1994" (JP; 1994-04-03), page 52
  37. Hyper, "February 1994" (AU; 199x-xx-xx), page 30
  38. Joker, "Junij 1994" (SI; 1994-xx-xx), page 24
  39. Joypad, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 72
  40. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-xx-xx), page 56
  41. Mega, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-17), page 20
  42. Mega Action, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 20
  43. Mega Fun, "04/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 108
  44. Mega Play, "February 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 49
  45. Mega Power, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-17), page 60
  46. MegaTech, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-20), page 24
  47. Player One, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 48
  48. 48.0 48.1 Play Time, "5/94" (DE; 1994-04-06), page 132
  49. Power Unlimited, "Jaargang 2, Nummer 2, Februari 1994" (NL; 1994-01-26), page 52
  50. Secret Service, "Styczeń 1996" (PL; 1996-01-xx), page 28
  51. Sega Power, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-03), page 34
  52. Sega Pro, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 44
  53. Sega Zone, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-27), page 32
  54. Svet Kompjutera, "Mart 1996" (YU; 1996-xx-xx), page 85
  55. Sega Opisaniy i sekretov, "14000 Opisaniy i sekretov" (RU; 2003-03-11), page 126
  56. Sonic Mag: B.D. & Jeux-Video!, "Juin 1994" (FR; 1994-05-16), page 36
  57. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  58. Todo Sega, "Marzo 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 46
  59. Tricks, "4/95" (RU; 1995-xx-xx), page 30
  60. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 126
  61. Video Games, "5/94" (DE; 1994-04-27), page 94
  62. 62.0 62.1 VideoGames, "February 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 58
  63. Next Generation, "February 1995" (US; 1995-01-24), page 101 (99)
  64. 64.0 64.1 Player One, "Janvier 1995" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 118
  65. 65.0 65.1 Sega Power, "January 1995" (UK; 1994-11-17), page 82
  66. 66.0 66.1 VideoGames, "January 1995" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 93
  67. Game Players, "Vol. 8 No. 1 January 1995" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 80
  68. GamePro, "January 1995" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 64
  69. Gamers, "Januar 1995" (DE; 1995-01-08), page 52
  70. MAN!AC, "01/95" (DE; 1994-12-07), page 60
  71. Mega, "January 1995" (UK; 1994-12-30), page 60
  72. Mega Force, "Janvier 1995" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 78
  73. Mega Fun, "01/95" (DE; 1994-12-21), page 40
  74. Mega Power, "November 1994" (UK; 1994-10-20), page 24
  75. Next Generation, "February 1995" (US; 1995-01-24), page 99
  76. Play Time, "2/95" (DE; 1995-01-04), page 107
  77. Sega Pro, "November 1994" (UK; 1994-10-06), page 48
  78. Sega Pro, "October 1994" (UK; 1994-09-08), page 48
  79. Video Games, "2/95" (DE; 1995-01-18), page 98
  80. 80.0 80.1 Consoles +, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 118
  81. GamePro, "March 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 39 (41)
  82. 82.0 82.1 Joypad, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 74
  83. Mean Machines Sega, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-28), page 84/85 (84)
  84. 84.0 84.1 Player One, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 109
  85. Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1994" (JP; 1994-04-08), page 21
  86. Digitiser (UK) (1994-02-03)
  87. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "February 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 46
  88. GamePro, "March 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 41
  89. Hippon Super, "May 1994" (JP; 1994-04-03), page 51
  90. Mega Fun, "05/94" (DE; 1994-04-20), page 117
  91. Mega Play, "February 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 48
  92. Power Unlimited, "Jaargang 2, Nummer 5, Mei 1994" (NL; 1994-04-27), page 49
  93. Sega Power, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-03), page 60
  94. Sega Pro, "Easter 1994" (UK; 1994-03-24), page 68
  95. Sega Zone, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 64
  96. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
  97. Todo Sega, "Mayo 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 50
  98. Video Games, "5/94" (DE; 1994-04-27), page 112


NBA Jam

NBAJam title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Promotional material | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


Sega Master System
Prototypes: Prototype

Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1993-04



NBA Jam and related games for Sega systems
Arch Rivals (1992) | NBA Jam (1994) | NBA Jam Tournament Edition (1994) | College Slam (1996) | NBA Hang Time (1996) | NBA Jam Extreme (1996) | NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC (1999) | NBA Hoopz (2001)