NBA Jam (SNES) - Let's Play 1001 Games - Episode 17
18The legend of Schrempf...
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I'm Gaming Jay: Youtube gamer, let's player, retrogaming fan, and determined optimist... Join me in this series while I try out EVERY game in the book 1001 VIDEO GAMES YOU MUST PLAY BEFORE YOU DIE, before I die. The game review for each game will focus on the question of whether you MUST play this game before you die. But to be honest, the game reviews are just for fun, this series is more about the YouTube gamer journey. Let's try out those classic retro games we grew up with, have fond memories of, or heard of but never got a chance to try! And with that said, the game review for today is...
NBA Jam
Released 1993
Developer(s) Midway
Platform(s) Arcade, SNES, Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, etc.
Genre(s) Sports
Jay's Thoughts
If you can hear an excited announcer in your head when I say "Boom-shaka-laka", "From down town!", and "He's on fire!" then you've played NBA Jam before. NBA Jam is one of those great sports games that embraces it's video game identity and throws so much personality into the gameplay that you can't help but love it. And I say this as someone who is not into sports, and doesn't normally play sports games. But I like NBA Jam.
In NBA Jam you play a match of 2-on-2 using real NBA stars. I played this on the SNES, which actually means many of the players in the game are probably long-since retired (or I assume so at least, since again, I don't really keep up with sports). What sets NBA Jam apart however, is the big emphasis on crazy and insane shots and dunks. Every player has a crazy flare dunk, and getting a few shots in a row leads your team to be "on fire", meaning they literally can burn the net away the next time they dunk. All of this, of course, is narrated by an excited announcer who shouts oddly-appropriate 90's-esque phrases like "Boom-shaka-laka!" whenever a player manages to get a basket.
In terms of actual gameplay, NBA Jam is easy to pick up but difficult to master. In fact, I found the game quite difficult on my playthrough. When the opposing team has the ball you can either try to steal it, straight up push them down and take the ball, or block their shots. All of which, however, are very difficult to do. On even moderate difficulties though, the computer seems able to get the ball away from you with some regularity, making it hard to pull ahead. My personal strategy is to find a player who's good at 3-pointers and hone your ability to get those. It will let you at least be competitive. As for winning consistently though, you're on your own for that.
All in all, NBA Jam is a fun romp. And if you have a friend or two, the game only gets better. There are modern remakes you can check out but for me, the classic 16-bit versions will always be the real NBA Jam. And after my own recent playthrough, let me just say that I'll now always have a soft spot for the player known as Schrempf.
➙ Must You Play It?
NBA Jam is a great game that's full of personality. It's easy to pick up and tough to master. Yet it's loads of fun for 1 or 2 players. Definitely a game worth trying!