NBA Jams: The Best Arcade Basketball Game

In the early 1990s, arcade games were all the rage. One of the most popular genres was basketball, and one of the most popular games in that genre was NBA Jams.

Developed by Midway Games, NBA Jams was released in arcades in 1993. The game featured two-on-two basketball action with players able to choose from a roster of real-life NBA Stars The game was known for its over-the-top gameplay, which included players being able to perform slam dunks that were so powerful they would set the ball on fire.

The game was also known for its catchy soundtrack, which featured songs like “Boom Shack-A-Lak” by Apache Indian and “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly.

NBA Jams was a huge hit in arcades, and it eventually made its way to home consoles. The game is still fondly remembered by many gamers today, and it is considered to be one of the best arcade basketball games ever made.

The History of NBA Jams

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a Professional Basketball league in North America The NBA was founded in 1947 and consists of 30 teams. The league is one of the four major North American professional sports leagues, and is widely considered to be the premier men’s professional Basketball League

The NBA Jam arcade game was released by Midway in 1993. The game was developed by Mark Turmell and features two-on-two basketball games The game became very popular, due to its over-the-top nature and easy gameplay. NBA Jam was one of the first sports games to feature real NBA players as well as exaggerated versions of those players (such as Scottie Pippen with a 40″ vertical).

In 2010, EA Sports released a reboot of NBA JAM for the Wii. The game featured updated graphics and player models, as well as a new “Remix Tour” mode. The game was generally well-received by critics and fans alike.

The Best NBA Jams Players

When it comes to old-school arcade hoops games, there’s really only one that matters: NBA Jams. The game was first released in 1993 and featured 2-on-2 matchups with players that were cartoonishly large and had exaggerated abilities, like being able to fly or shoot fireballs. In other words, it was awesome.

While the game was fun for everyone, there were some players who were just a little bit better than the rest. Here are three of the best NBA Jams players of all time.

1. MJ

No surprise here. Michael Jordan was not only the best player in the NBA, but he was also the best player in NBA Jams. His ability to take off from anywhere on the court and dunk with ease made him nearly unstoppable. Oh, and he also had a secret move where he could catch fire and make any shot he took. Yeah, he was that good.

2. Barkley

Charles Barkley was another player who could do it all in NBA Jams. He could shoot, he could pass, and he could rebound with the best of them. He also had one of the best dunks in the game, which made him a nightmare for opponents.

3. Shaq

Last but not least is Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq was an absolute beast in NBA Jams, using his size and strength to bully his way to the basket for easy baskets. He could also swat away any shot that came his way, making it nearly impossible to score on him in the paint.

The Greatest NBA Jams Moments

Whether it’s Michael Jordan posterizing Dirk Nowitzki or Kobe Bryant absolutely torching the Portland Trail Blazers the NBA Jams franchise has provided some of the most iconic moments in basketball video game history. Here are some of the best:

1. MJ vs. Barkley (1993)

In what is widely considered the greatest game in the NBA Jams franchise, Michael Jordan took on Charles Barkley in a one-on-one matchup for the ages. Barkley was putting up a good fight, but Jordan was too much, eventually winning by a score of 21-15.

2. Shaq vs. Bradley (1995)

This legendary matchup featured Shaquille O’Neal going up against center Bill Bradley of the New York Knicks Although Bradley put up a good fight, Shaq was simply too much, crushing him with an emphatic dunk to seal the victory.

3. Iverson vs. MJ (1997)

In one of the most memorable games in NBA Jams history, Allen Iverson took on Michael Jordan in a classic one-on-one matchup. Iverson was able to hang with MJ for a while, but ultimately Jordan came out on top, winning by a score of 21-16.

The Worst NBA Jams Players

There are some Great players in the NBA Jams series, but there are also some definite stinkers. Here are the five worst players in the series:

5. Dennis Rodman – Dennis Rodman was a great player in Real Life but he’s absolutely terrible in NBA Jams. He can’t shoot, he can’t rebound, and he can’t do anything right. Avoid him if you can.

4. Chris Webber – Chris Webber is another player who was great in real life but just couldn’t get it done in NBA Jams. He was supposed to be one of the best players in the game, but he was just average at best.

3. Mookie Blaylock – Mookie Blaylock was a defensive specialist in real life, but that doesn’t translate well to NBA Jams. He’s a terrible shooter and he can’t do much on offense either. Avoid him if you can.

2. Shaquille O’Neal – Shaquille O’Neal is one of the greatest players of all time, but he just couldn’t get it done in NBA Jams. He was slow, he couldn’t shoot, and he just wasn’t very good at the game. Avoid him if you can.

1. Scottie Pippen – Scottie Pippen is one of the greatest players of all time, but he just couldn’t get it done in NBA Jams. He was slow, he couldn’t shoot, and he just wasn’t very good at the game. Avoid him if you can

The Most Controversial NBA Jams Moments

There are few arcade games that are as legendary as NBA Jams. The game was known for its over-the-top dunks, and it was one of the first games to feature real-life players.

However, not everything in NBA Jams was always smooth sailing. There were some controversial moments that still have people talking today. Here are some of the most controversial NBA Jams moments:

1. The time Shaquille O’Neal ate a live basketball

In one of the more bizarre moments in NBA Jams history, Shaq is shown eating a Live Basketball This was during a time when Shaq was known for his love of candy, so perhaps this was just him having a little bit of fun. However, many people thought this scene was in bad taste and made Shaq look like a glutton.

2. Michael Jordan’s picture on the cover

When NBA Jams first came out, Michael Jordan was featured on the cover. However, there were some people who thought that Jordan’s picture had been photoshopped to make him look thinner than he actually was. This caused quite a stir, and resulted in Jordan suing the game’s developers. The case was eventually settled out of court.

3. The game’s depiction of women

Some people took issue with the way women were portrayed in NBA Jams. In particular, they didn’t like how the female characters were drawn with large breasts and wearing revealing clothing. Critics said that this sent a bad message to young girls who might be playing the game.

The Best NBA Jams Teams

There are some great NBA Jams teams out there, but which ones are the best? We’ve put together a list of the Top Five NBA Jams teams to help you make your decision.

1. The Chicago Bulls – There’s no denying that the Bulls are one of the best NBA Jams teams around. With players like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen they have the star power to take down any opponent.

2. The Los Angeles Lakers – The Lakers are another powerhouse team that can’t be ignored. With players like Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant they have the talent to take home the victory.

3. The New York Knicks – The Knicks might not be as stacked as some of the other teams on this list, but they’re still a force to be reckoned with. With players like Patrick Ewing and John Starks they have the ability to take down any opponent.

4. The Houston Rockets – The Rockets are another team that can’t be ignored when it comes to NBA Jams. With players like Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler they have the talent to take home the win.

5. The Phoenix Suns – The Suns might not be as well-known as some of the other teams on this list, but they’re still a dangerous squad. With players like Charles Barkley and Kevin Johnson, they have the ability to take down any opponent.

The greatest NBA Jams Games

When it comes to classic NBA Jams games, there are a few that stand out above the rest. If you’re looking for the best of the best, here are four arcade basketball games that you need to check out.

1. NBA Jams: Tournament Edition (1995)
This is arguably the most popular and well-known NBA Jams game. It was released for the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis platforms and featured updated rosters, new dunks, and more.

2. NBA Jams: Extreme (1996)
This game was released for the Sony PlayStation and was the first NBA Jams game to feature 3D graphics. It also featured an expanded roster of players, new dunks, and more.

3. NBA Jams: HEA (2003)
This game was released for the Nintendo Gamecube and featured updated rosters, new dunk animations, and more. It is considered one of the best NBA Jams games ever made.

4. NBA Jams: On Fire Edition (2011)
This game was released for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 and featured updated rosters, new gameplay features, and more. It is considered one of the best arcade Basketball Games ever made.

The Most Memorable NBA Jams Moments

The most memorable NBA Jams moments are the ones where players pull off incredible feats of athleticism, whether it’s a monster dunk or a behind-the-back pass. Here are some of the most iconic NBA Jams moments:

-Michael Jordan’s Free Throw Line dunk: In the 1991 NBA Finals Jordan hit one of the most legendary shots of his career: a free throw line dunk that propelled the Chicago Bulls to victory. In NBA Jams, players can recreate that moment by pressing up on the joystick when they’re at the free throw line.

-Shawn Kemp’s 360 slam: Shawn Kemp was known for his rim-rattling dunks, and in NBA Jams players can perform a 360 slam just like him. To do it, players need to quickly press down, then up and X or A on the joystick when they’re near the basket.

-Reggie Miller’s 8 points in 9 seconds: In a 1995 Playoff Game against the New York Knicks Indiana Pacers player Reggie Miller scored 8 points in 9 seconds to help his team win. In NBA Jams, players can reenact that moment by quickly pressing up on the joystick followed by X or A three times in a row.

The NBA Jams Hall of Fame

The NBA Jams Hall of Fame recognizes the best and most influential arcade basketball game of all time. From the earliest days of coin-operated gaming to the present, NBA Jams has been a fan favorite.

The game was originally released in 1992 by Midway Games. It featured two-on-two basketball action with characters based on real-life NBA players The player could choose from a number of different teams, each featuring star players from around the league.

The game was an instant hit, and has since been ported to numerous consoles and home computer systems. It remains a popular title among fans of arcade-style Basketball Games

In 2010, the World video game Hall of Fame inducted NBA Jams into its ranks, cementing its place in video game history.

NBA Jams: The Best Arcade Basketball Game