NBA Jam

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NBA Jam
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega CD, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Arena (US/EU), Acclaim (JP)
Developer: Midway
Sound driver: GEMS
Genre: Sports
Number of players: 1-2/1-4
Release Date RRP Code
ESRB VRC ELSPA OFLC Tectoy

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.

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.

Physical Scans

Mega Drive Version

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart

Mega Drive, EU
Cover

Mega Drive, JP
Cover

Mega Drive, SE (rental)
Cover

Mega CD Version

Mega CD, US
Cover
Disc

Mega CD, EU
Cover

Mega CD, JP
Cover
Disc

Game Gear Version

Game Gear, US
Cover

Game Gear, EU
Cover

Game Gear, JP
Cover