- NBA Jam (2010 video game)
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This article is about the 2010 video game, for the 1993 arcade game see NBA Jam.
NBA JAM 
North American Wii box artDeveloper(s) EA Canada Publisher(s) EA Sports Series NBA Jam Platform(s) Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, iOS Release date(s) Wii Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 iOS Genre(s) Sports Mode(s) Single-player or multiplayer Rating(s) ESRB: E
App Store: 4+Media/distribution Nintendo optical disc (Wii)
DVD (Xbox 360)
Blu-ray (Playstation 3)NBA JAM is a basketball video game developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports. It is the latest installment in the NBA Jam video game franchise and it was released on October 5, 2010.[1] The game was initially planned to be available as a full retail release for the Wii, with the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions available for download via a coupon upon purchasing NBA Elite 11. However, on September 28, 2010, EA announced that Elite would be delayed.[3] The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions were released as standalone titles on November 17, 2010.[4]
The game has a unique visual style, using 3D models with high-resolution photographs for the heads of each of the players. Several aspects such as the outrageous slam dunks and the ball catching on fire return from the original games.[5][6] Original NBA Jam creator Mark Turmell is serving as a consultant.[7] Tim Kitzrow, the announcer from the original NBA Jam also returned, re-recording all the lines from previous NBA Jam titles as well as some new ones, such as the popular internet meme "Boom Goes the Dynamite!".[8]
Contents
Overview
Wii
The Wii version of the game is split up into two modes, a classic mode which plays like a traditional NBA Jam experience, and a Remix Tour which features all new camera angles, power-ups and boss battles. Players are able to choose between Wii Remote, Wii Remote and Nunchuck, Classic Controller, and Classic Controller Pro control styles. Online play is not supported.[8]
At the end of the game players have to battle NBA legends Larry Bird and Earvin "Magic" Johnson.[9] The game also features more than 30 other legends including: Manute Bol, Clyde Drexler, Julius Erving, Kevin McHale, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dennis Rodman, Detlef Schrempf, Isiah Thomas, Spud Webb, and James Worthy.[10][11]
PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
On November 26, 2010 a standalone game was released from EA Sports. A downloadable HD version of NBA Jam for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 was planned to be bundled with copies of NBA Elite 11. This version initially lacked the Wii version's Remix Tour mode, but included online multiplayer. However, due to the delay of NBA Elite 11 (followed by its eventual cancellation[12]), the HD versions of NBA Jam would now be standalone products, and was released on November 17, 2010, and will include the Remix Tour mode.[13] EA Sports President Peter Moore stated that the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions would be released "before the holidays" in 2010,[14] and the game would be released on retail disc.[15] On October 21 EA announced they would release full retail copies of the game on both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on November 17, and would retail for $49.99. These enhanced versions would feature upgraded HD visuals and online play, and would receive further online updates in December.[16]
Gameplay
NBA Jam is a 2-on-2 basketball game that has a unique way of showing the players from the game off. In the game, the bodies take on a 3D look, while their heads take on a 2D look, which have realistic digitized likenesses. The game retains its usual exaggerated nature of play - players jump many times above their own height, making slam dunks that defy both human capabilities and the laws of physics. There are no fouls, free throws, or violations except goaltending and 24 second violations. This means the player is able to freely shove or elbow his opponent out of the way. Additionally, the game has an "on fire" feature, where if one player makes three baskets in a row, he becomes "on fire" and has unlimited turbo, no goaltending, and increased shooting ability, until the other team scores (or the player has scored four consecutive baskets while "on fire").
Some new features in NBA Jam include Campaign, which has 1-on-1 boss battles; Elimination, which includes up to four different players where the player with the lowest amount of points being the loser; 21, which is a 1-on-1 match in where the first one to get 21 points is the winner, and Domination.
The game is filled with easter eggs, special features and players activated by initials or button/joystick combinations. For example, players can enter special codes to unlock hidden players. Some characters can only be unlocked by completing certain challenges.
Featured teams and players
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
Secret characters
Team Players Republican George W. Bush, Sarah Palin, John McCain and Dick Cheney[17] Democratic Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Al Gore, Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton[17] ESPN SportsNation Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd Beastie Boys Mike D, MCA and Ad-Rock[18] Original Generation Jam Mark Turmell and Tim Kitzrow Cole & Wonder J. Cole and 9th Wonder[19] Stickman Stickman Yellow, Stickman Green, Stickman Blue and Stickman Red (prototype models during development) Mascots Rufus Lynx, Rumble the Bison, Rocky The Mountain Lion, G-Wiz, The Raptor, Bango the Buck and Mavs Man Jordan Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul Adidas Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose and Josh Smith Sprite A yellow and green LeBron James The Neighbors Kevin Durant and Matthias Murphy NOTE: NBA Mascots can be chosen as players of their respective teams or in their secret team. Their team can be unlocked introducing special initials before starting a match. Team Jordan, Team Adidas, The Neighbors, and Team Sprite can only be unlocked on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions.
Reception
The Wii version of the game has received positive reviews. IGN gave the game an 8.5 score and an Editor's Choice award, calling it "an incredibly fun pick-up-and-play game with an insane competitive edge."[20] GamesRadar gave the game 9/10, calling it "virtually perfect", save for the lack of online play.[21] 1UP.com gave it an A- rank, saying it "heralds a bold new era in arcade-style sports games."[22] Game Informer gave the game a score of 8.25, saying its only major flaw is its lack of online multiplayer.[23] GameTrailers gave the game a score of 7.5, saying the lack of online play hurts its value as a retail product.[24] Nintendo Power gave it a 9.0.
References
- ^ a b "NBA Jam". IGN. http://ps3.ign.com/objects/080/080204.html. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
- ^ "NBA JAM by EA SPORTS(TM) for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store". http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/nba-jam-by-ea-sports/id402370879?mt=8. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
- ^ Destructoid: NBA Elite 11 delayed, standalone NBA Jam HD coming soon
- ^ "EA SPORTS NBA JAM to Feature Online Play on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3". EA. 2010-10-21. http://investor.ea.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=521254. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ^ "NBA JAM - Exclusive Debut Trailer". GameTrailers. 2010-03-15. http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-debut-nba-jam/63072. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
- ^ Harris, Craig (2010-03-31). "NBA Jam Hands-on". IGN. http://wii.ign.com/articles/108/1080843p1.html. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ Harris, Craig (2010-01-15). "New NBA Jam Details". IGN. http://wii.ign.com/articles/106/1061528p1.html. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
- ^ a b "E3 2010 Wrap Up — NBA Jam Creative Director Reveals Power-Ups, New Modes, and Boom Goes the Dynamite". 30 Ninjas. 2010-06-21. http://30ninjas.com/blog/e3-2010-wrap-up-nba-jam-creative-director-reveals-power-ups-new-modes-and-boom-goes-the-dynamite. Retrieved 2010-06-21.
- ^ Plunkett, Luke (2010-03-31). "NBA Jam Also Features 80's Basketball Legends". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/5506922/nba-jam-also-features-80s-basketball-legends. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
- ^ Electronic Arts (2010-06-17). "E3 2010 NBA Jam Demo". Electronic Arts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1INC_Iphis. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
- ^ Robinson, Jon (2010-07-30). "'NBA Jam' gets a Magic remix". ESPN.com. http://espn.go.com/espn/thelife/videogames/blog/_/name/thegamer/id/5421130/nba-jam-gets-magic-remix?readmore=fullstory. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
- ^ http://kotaku.com/5679899/nba-elite-11-is-officially-dead
- ^ http://kotaku.com/5654462/nba-jam-for-360-ps3-were-trying-to-throw-it-all-in-there
- ^ http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/fox-news-uncovers-nba-jams-liberal-agenda/
- ^ http://kotaku.com/5663914/ea-sports-confirms-disc-release-for-nba-jam-on-360-ps3
- ^ http://www.playswitch.com/Articles/Online-NBA-Jam-Coming-To-Xbox-360-and-PlayStation-3-November-17th---Will-Cost-4999/75576c05-d78c-4d1c-95d2-0aa792ed46d4
- ^ a b http://kotaku.com/5655694/president-obama-is-on-fire-in-nba-jam
- ^ http://espn.go.com/espn/thelife/videogames/blog/_/name/thegamer/id/5650055/palin-obama-star-nba-jam?readmore=fullstory
- ^ http://www.thetanooki.com/2010/10/09/nba-jam-secret-characters-discovered-with-codes/
- ^ http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/112/1125570p1.html
- ^ http://www.gamesradar.com/wii/nba-jam/review/nba-jam-review/a-20101005143037989075/g-2010011110223694027/p-2
- ^ http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3181718&p=44
- ^ http://gameinformer.com/games/nba_jam/b/wii/archive/2010/10/05/nba-jam-review-a-drive-down-memory-lane.aspx
- ^ http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-nba-jam/705708
External links
NBA Jam series NBA Jam (1993) · NBA Jam T.E. · NBA Jam Extreme · '99 · 2000 · 2001 · 2002 · NBA Jam (2003) · NBA Jam (2010) · NBA Jam: On Fire EditionCategories:- 2010 video games
- Electronic Arts games
- EA Sports games
- IOS games
- PlayStation 3 games
- Wii games
- Xbox 360 games
- National Basketball Association video games
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