| NBA JAM | |
| Platform: | Playstation 2 |
| # of Players: | 1-6 |
| Developer: | Acclaim |
| Publisher: | Acclaim |
| Features: | Analog control, Vibration Function |
| Ratings: | Kids to Adults |
| Memory Req.: | PS2 Memory Card- 54kb |
| Info: | www.nbajam.com |
If you’re an old-timer, you know the drill. Hit 3 consecutive shots, and you’ll hear the familiar “He’s On Fire!!” call, as your player’s stats go off the charts. Then it’s 60 seconds (or 5 shots, whichever comes first) of turbo speed, goaltending, and a chance to score with some ridiculously crazy looking dunks and shots. Of course, if you lose the ball during this time and your opponent makes a shot, you’re back to normal as soon as the shot is made. This keeps each game fresh, as it’s possible to build up an unstoppable run if your defense is as good as your offensive skills.
There’s a new JAM meter that allows some even crazier dunks from select hot spots on and off court. You earn JAM points as well as game points here, and can redeem JAM points in the game’s shop for some cool unlockables like courts and new gear to strut out on court in future games. The cool thing is it’s not as creepily materialistic as the buying and showing off of gear in Street Hoops- here, it’s more like you’ve earned some cool stuff by playing well and playing often.
There are a nice variety of game modes here, from Exhibition games to the NBA JAM Tournament, to a great Legends Tournament that (in a great touch) starts off in black and white and makes you earn the right to play in color. As you beat each legendary team, you unlock them as playable teams in the regular games, so the old school b-ballers will no doubt be all over this game. There’s a pretty decent create-a-player feature here, and although you can’t get as crazy with the customization as in something like Tiger Woods 2004, what’s here is pretty damn good.
The graphics here are nice and the animation is solid and almost too quick at times, which works well in keeping the pace hot, but sometimes it’s hard to follow the CPU’s antics if you go the single player route. JAM goes for a slightly big-headed more cartoony look than NBA Street or Street Hoops, but it’s all good, and fits the gameplay just fine. There’s no online play on the PS2 or Xbox versions (boo!), but Xbox owners get the wicked cool bonus of some downloadable teams. Hopefully the sequel will have online play for both consoles, and downloadable content (especially as the PS2’s HDD will be out next March)- this would make the next JAM even more of a must purchase.
Sound effects are adequate, but the music and voice work are spectacular. Chock full of Tim Kitzrow’s play-by-play, NBA JAM sounds even better than the original version. The music is comprised of a wide range of snippets from familiar court jams, and legendary funk master Bootsy Collins provides some colorful commentary as well as a couple of cool new beats that’ll have you groovin’ away as you play.
Of course, if you’re going to ask me “So what’s better- NBA Street 2, Street Hoops, or NBA JAM?”, I’ll have to take the neutral road and say each game has its merits overall, but it all depends on what you’re looking for in the long run. It’s not as polished as the other games, but NBA JAM is still a great deal of fun, and can only get better in future installments. If Acclaim follows up with a sequel that’s as killer as Burnout 2 was over the original, the improvements found in the next JAM will only make for an even more impressive game.
7/10
Greg Wilcox
 |
No screenshots available for this title. |
home | codes & tips | downloads | release dates
forums | q & a | links | affiliates | about us | advertise
All content copyright 2001 Multimedia Empire Inc.
Credit Counseling - Cheap Car Insurance - Car Insurance - Phoenix Pools
