ColecoVision to iPhone Games 26

In this ongoing look at significant moments in the history of video game design, we have already taken a look at Nintendo’s Kid Icarus, Electronic Arts’ Mirror’s Edge, Raven Software’s Soldier of Fortune 2 and several others. The goal of this series is to go beyond simple gaming magazines and iPhone Apps, and take a closer look at what defines memorability and quality in game design. In this twenty-sixth part of the series we will examine some more of those classic moments where video game designers undoubtedly got it right and delivered a memorable, enduring and progressive gaming experience.

NBA JAM (Arcade) – Developed by Midway and released to arcades in 1993, NBA Jam forever changed people’s expectations of sports games. Before NBA Jam, the players in basketball games were clunky, robotic, poorly animated characters that bared less than even a passing resemblance to their real life counterparts. With the introduction of NBA Jam’s digitized representations of real life figures (a technology also utilized with great success in Midway’s other monster title of that year, Mortal Kombat), along with higher CPU and memory that allowed for more fluid animations, NBA Jam was by far the most playable basketball game of all time upon its release. But, beyond mere playability, NBA Jam had plenty to offer arcade goers of the time.

For starters, NBA Jam made a significant physical footprint in arcades across the world. Its cabinet was absolutely huge, a necessity considering that it allowed for four players to participate in 2-on-2 matchups. It also had a much larger screen than most arcade machines of the time, and its ‘attract mode’ sounds were seemingly always set near the maximum volume levels. While all of these lures proved successful at initiating trial among gamers, it was the actual gameplay and the bonus features that kept players coming back for more.

Very tightly coded, the gameplay in NBA Jam is demonstrative of the phrase ‘a minute to learn, a lifetime to master.’ Not at all difficult to play, the fine balance of knowing when to pass, shoot and how to play perfect defense presented a balancing act that very few players were able to master, yet all who attempted enjoyed. Phrases from NBA Jam such as “He’s on Fire!” (players who had sunk three unanswered shots in a row would become so ‘hot’ that the ball would literally burst into flames”) and “Boom-Shakka-Lakka” remain a part of pop culture to this very day. An often forgotten feature of the game was its ability to store player records. By entering their birthdates and initials, players could maintain win-loss records, and attempt to defeat all of the teams in the game over the course of several weeks or months, rather than in a single sitting.

Featuring every NBA team of the time, Jam was a fully licensed product. Still, that did not stop the developers from loading the game up with secret characters that could be chosen by entering a specific combination of birthday and initials. Hidden characters ranging from Mortal Kombat’s Raiden to then President Bill Clinton were buried within the game’s code. These hidden characters added humor to the game’s already over the top gameplay style, and helped keep gamers buzzing as newly discovered character codes would leak out.

NBA Jam ushered in a new era of sports video games. It showed that more realistic graphics were possible, and that over the top gameplay had a place in the genre. The game allowed friends to play together, provided many months of character discoveries and proved beyond a doubt that sports games could translate to mainstream video game success. For being the greatest arcade basketball game of all time, NBA Jam deserves its place in this series.

About the Author

Frank Taylor writes on behalf of AppsPatrol. He recommends you visit AppsPatrol for info on newly released iPhone Apps, iPhone Game Reviews and iPhone App Reviews.

NBA Jam Review – Xbox 360 Remake – Sports basketball arcade game gameplay

New Electronic Arts Nba Jam Sports Game Complete Product Standard Retail Wii Excellent Performance $49.99 Originally made by Midway back in 1993 for video arcades, NBA JAM was a humongous hit, with exciting, over-the-top, cartoony 2-on-2 basketball action that defied both traditional basketball rules as well as the laws of gravity and physics. This product only accept the return of defective, If no quality problems do not accept returns….

New Electronic Arts Nba Jam Sports Game Complete Product Standard Playstation 3 High Quality $105.99 EA Sports is bringing back the classic, most beloved arcade basketball game ever for the Originally made by Midway back in 1993 for video arcades, NBA JAM was a humongous hit, with exciting, over-the-top, cartoony 2-on-2 basketball action that defied both traditional basketball rules as well as the laws of gravity and physics. This product only accept the return of defective, If no quality proble…

Wallmonkeys Peel and Stick Wall Decals – One in Wins – Removable Graphic WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

New Nintendo Mario Sports Mix Sports Game Complete Product Standard Retail Supports Wii $64.75 Players can play online against friends with whom they have traded friend codes, or anonymously against other opponents. Multiplayer modes require additional controllers, which are sold separately. MARIO SPORTS MIX presents these four familiar sports – but with a Mario twist. Players can choose from a variety of playable Mushroom Kingdom characters and can even challenge Mario and friends direc…

18 PLASTIC 6 IN ONE GAME SET Case Pack 3 $79.99 18″ PLASTIC 6 IN ONE GAME SET Case Pack 3…

Vintage Distressed Arcade Basketball Tri-Blend T-Shirt Go Vintage! Super Popular Tri-Blend by Solid Gold Bomb™Solid Gold Bomb (SGB) is here! Printed on the American Apparel TR401 Tri-Blend Short Sleeve Track Shirt. Made of the three fabric combination (50% Polyester / 25% Cotton / 25% Rayon), this tee retains shape and elasticity. Cotton lends both comfort and durability with the addition of Rayon, it makes for a unique texture that drapes again…

MY GIANTS DAD WON’T GROW UP WILD AND CRAZY BASEBALL FAN BABY BIB Bella Baby Baby Reversible Bib 1X1 …Rounded Velcro® closure …Contrast two-ply reversible binding …100% cotton …5.8 oz…

THE DEVIL LOVES GANGSTAZ 1970′S STYLE GANGSTER TRUCKER HAT HTT ADULT WHITE FOAM FRONT WITH CONTRAST NYLON MESH BACK CAP …100% Polyester white foam front with contrasting mesh back. …Structured, 3 1/4″ crown with four sewn eyelets. …5 panel. …Adjustable plastic strap….

Lifetime Double Shot Arcade Basketball $279.99 This commercial grade arcade basketball system from Lifetime is designed with an extra wide 48-inch backboard to allow plenty of elbow room for side-by-side shooting competition. This arcade basketball also comes with seven basketballs.

TNT 2-player Electronic Basketball Game $179.99 This TNT 2-player electronic basketball game folds up when not in use and will bring the arcade to your home. Challenge your family and friends one on one or practice your shooting in your own rec room, basement, garage.