NBA Jam

From Sega Retro

n/a

NBAJam title.png

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

















Number of players: 1-2/1-4
Release Date RRP Code
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
BR 		R$69,9969,99 063376
Sega Game Gear
JP 		¥3,8003,800 T-81037
Sega Game Gear
US 		T-81248
Sega Game Gear
EU 		T-81248-50

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.

Promotional material

  • NBAJam MD-GG US PrintAdvert.jpg

    Mega Drive/Game Gear US print advert 1

  • NBAJam MD-GG US PrintAdvert 2.jpg

    Mega Drive/Game Gear US print advert 2

  • NBAJam MD-GG US PrintAdvert 3.jpg

    Mega Drive/Game Gear US print advert 3

  • NBAJam MD GG UK PrintAd.jpg

    Mega Drive/Game Gear UK print advert

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
85 №30, p110/111[3]
80 №56, p36-38[4]
92 №58
89 №29, p72/73[5]
81 №20, p56-59
82 №11, p20/21
86 №27, p74/75
89 №17, p60-62[6]
95 №40, p48/49[7]
94 №3, p94
91 №52, p34/35
91 №30, p44/45
95 №3, p34/35[8]
Sega Mega Drive
 88
Based on
13 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[9]
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
84
[10]
Alaab Alcomputtar (SA)
91
[11]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
65
[12]
Console Mania (IT) PAL
94
[13]
Consoles + (FR)
85
[3]
Cool Gamer (RU)
40
[14]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
89
[15]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
90
[1]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
97
[16]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
76
[17]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
60
[18]
Freak (IL)
93
[19]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
80
[4]
Gamers (DE)
87
[20]
GamesMaster (UK)
92
[21]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[22]
Hyper (AU)
95
[23]
Joker (SI)
91
[24]
Joypad (FR) PAL
89
[5]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
81
[25]
Mega (UK) PAL
91
[26]
Mega Action (UK) PAL
82
[27]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
85
[28]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
80
[29]
Mega Power (UK) PAL
94
[30]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
86
[31]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
89
[6]
Player One (FR)
95
[7]
Play Time (DE)
91
[32]
Power Unlimited (NL)
95
[33]
Secret Service (PL)
85
[34]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
94
[35]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
91
[36]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
91
[37]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
90
[38]
Svet Kompjutera (YU)
81
[39]
Sega Opisaniy i sekretov (RU)
65
[40]
Sonic Mag: B.D. & Jeux-Video! (FR)
95
[8]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
81
[41]
Todo Sega (ES)
90
[42]
Tricks (RU)
81
[43]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
91
[44]
Video Games (DE) PAL
83
[45]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
90
[46]
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
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
Mega Drive, SE (rental)
NBAJam MD SE Box Rental.jpg
Cover

Mega-CD version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
80 №28, p60
60 №2, p101[47]
80 №49, p118[48]
87 №62, p82[49]
86 №38, p48/49
Sega Mega-CD
 79
Based on
5 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Game Players (US) NTSC-U
87
[50]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
93
[51]
Gamers (DE) PAL
87
[52]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
85
[53]
Mega (UK) PAL
80
[54]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
85
[55]
Mega Fun (DE)
85
[56]
Mega Power (UK) PAL
84
[57]
Next Generation (US) NTSC-U
50
[47]
Player One (FR)
80
[48]
Play Time (DE) PAL
85
[58]
Sega Power (UK)
87
[49]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
86
[59]
Sega Pro (UK)
86
[60]
Video Games (DE) PAL
83
[61]
VideoGames (US)
80
[62]
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 №30, p118[63]
82 №148
75 №56, p39[64]
84 №29, p74[65]
76 №18, p84/85[66]
75 №40, p109[67]
89 №52, p60/61
88 №31, p68/69
Sega Game Gear
 81
Based on
8 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
53
[68]
Consoles + (FR) PAL
81
[63]
Computer & Video Games (UK) PAL
82
[69]
Computer & Video Games (UK) PAL
87
[1]
Digitiser (UK)
89
[70]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
68
[71]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
75
[64]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
60
[72]
Joypad (FR) PAL
84
[65]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
77
[73]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
81
[74]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
76
[66]
Player One (FR) PAL
75
[67]
Play Time (DE)
82
[32]
Power Unlimited (NL)
95
[75]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
89
[76]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
88
[77]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
85
[78]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
66
[79]
Todo Sega (ES) PAL
82
[80]
Video Games (DE) PAL
84
[81]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
90
[46]
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 Front.jpg
Cover

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 File:CVG UK 153.pdf, page 112 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 153.pdf_p112" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 153.pdf_p112" defined multiple times with different content
  2. ↑ http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1994-03-04/sports/9403040667_1_nba-jam-nba-players-nba-video-game
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 030.pdf, page 110 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 030.pdf_p110" defined multiple times with different content
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 File:GamePro US 056.pdf, page 38 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 056.pdf_p38" defined multiple times with different content
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 File:Joypad FR 029.pdf, page 72 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joypad FR 029.pdf_p72" defined multiple times with different content
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 File:MeanMachinesSega17UK.pdf, page 60 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega17UK.pdf_p60" defined multiple times with different content
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 File:PlayerOne FR 040.pdf, page 48 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 040.pdf_p48" defined multiple times with different content
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 File:SonicMag FR 03.pdf, page 36 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SonicMag FR 03.pdf_p36" defined multiple times with different content
  9. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 150
  10. ↑ Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 27
  11. ↑ Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 73
  12. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1994" (JP; 1994-04-08), page 18
  13. ↑ Console Mania, "Febbraio 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 90
  14. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 146
  15. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 76
  16. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "February 1994" (US; 1994-01-20), page 90
  17. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "February 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 38
  18. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 345
  19. ↑ Freak, "3/94" (IL; 1994-xx-xx), page 1
  20. ↑ Gamers, "Mai/Juni 1994" (DE; 1994-05-06), page 36
  21. ↑ GamesMaster (UK) "Series 3, episode 22" (1994-02-01, 24:00) (+8:16)
  22. ↑ Hippon Super, "May 1994" (JP; 1994-04-03), page 52
  23. ↑ Hyper, "February 1994" (AU; 199x-xx-xx), page 30
  24. ↑ Joker, "Junij 1994" (SI; 1994-xx-xx), page 24
  25. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-xx-xx), page 56
  26. ↑ Mega, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-17), page 20
  27. ↑ Mega Action, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 20
  28. ↑ Mega Fun, "04/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 108
  29. ↑ Mega Play, "February 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 49
  30. ↑ Mega Power, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-17), page 60
  31. ↑ MegaTech, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-20), page 24
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Play Time, "5/94" (DE; 1994-04-06), page 132
  33. ↑ Power Unlimited, "Jaargang 2, Nummer 2, Februari 1994" (NL; 1994-01-26), page 52
  34. ↑ Secret Service, "Styczeń 1996" (PL; 1996-01-xx), page 28
  35. ↑ Sega Magazine, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 94
  36. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-03), page 34
  37. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 44
  38. ↑ Sega Zone, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-27), page 32
  39. ↑ Svet Kompjutera, "Mart 1996" (YU; 1996-xx-xx), page 85
  40. ↑ Sega Opisaniy i sekretov, "14000 Opisaniy i sekretov" (RU; 2003-03-11), page 126
  41. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  42. ↑ Todo Sega, "Marzo 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 46
  43. ↑ Tricks, "4/95" (RU; 1995-xx-xx), page 30
  44. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 126
  45. ↑ Video Games, "5/94" (DE; 1994-04-27), page 94
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 VideoGames, "February 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 58
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 File:NextGeneration US 02.pdf, page 99 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:NextGeneration US 02.pdf_p99" defined multiple times with different content
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 File:PlayerOne FR 049.pdf, page 118 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 049.pdf_p118" defined multiple times with different content
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 File:SegaPower UK 62.pdf, page 82 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPower UK 62.pdf_p82" defined multiple times with different content
  50. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 8 No. 1 January 1995" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 80
  51. ↑ GamePro, "January 1995" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 64
  52. ↑ Gamers, "Januar 1995" (DE; 1995-01-08), page 52
  53. ↑ MAN!AC, "01/95" (DE; 1994-12-07), page 60
  54. ↑ Mega, "January 1995" (UK; 1994-12-30), page 60
  55. ↑ Mega Force, "Janvier 1995" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 78
  56. ↑ Mega Fun, "01/95" (DE; 1994-12-21), page 40
  57. ↑ Mega Power, "November 1994" (UK; 1994-10-20), page 24
  58. ↑ Play Time, "2/95" (DE; 1995-01-04), page 107
  59. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1994" (UK; 1994-10-06), page 48
  60. ↑ Sega Pro, "October 1994" (UK; 1994-09-08), page 48
  61. ↑ Video Games, "2/95" (DE; 1995-01-18), page 98
  62. ↑ VideoGames, "January 1995" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 93
  63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 030.pdf, page 118 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 030.pdf_p118" defined multiple times with different content
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 File:GamePro US 056.pdf, page 41 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 056.pdf_p41" defined multiple times with different content
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 File:Joypad FR 029.pdf, page 74 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joypad FR 029.pdf_p74" defined multiple times with different content
  66. ↑ 66.0 66.1 File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf, page 84 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf_p84" defined multiple times with different content
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 File:PlayerOne FR 040.pdf, page 109 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 040.pdf_p109" defined multiple times with different content
  68. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1994" (JP; 1994-04-08), page 21
  69. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 80
  70. ↑ Digitiser (UK) (1994-02-03)
  71. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "February 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 46
  72. ↑ Hippon Super, "May 1994" (JP; 1994-04-03), page 51
  73. ↑ Mega Fun, "05/94" (DE; 1994-04-20), page 117
  74. ↑ Mega Play, "February 1994" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 48
  75. ↑ Power Unlimited, "Jaargang 2, Nummer 5, Mei 1994" (NL; 1994-04-27), page 49
  76. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-03), page 60
  77. ↑ Sega Pro, "Easter 1994" (UK; 1994-03-24), page 68
  78. ↑ Sega Zone, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 64
  79. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
  80. ↑ Todo Sega, "Mayo 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 50
  81. ↑ Video Games, "5/94" (DE; 1994-04-27), page 112



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)
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