Nintendo 64
Released in 1997 by Midway
Grade: B+
If you can just accept that this game is the same as NBA Jam while also different from NBA Jam, it’s a fun time and one of the better sports games on N64.
Where it falls in the series
It’s a fun take on the original NBA Jam, which debuted in arcades in 1993 and was beloved on the 16-bit consoles in 1994. Hang Time was also on SNES, Genesis, and PS1, and those versions aren’t quite up to snuff with this N64 version.
A slew of arcade B-ball games followed with names like “Street” and “Hoopz” but changed the format significantly. There’s even a 5-on-5 game called NBA Jam for N64 and it’s nothing like the original and it stinks. The big comeback for genuine NBA Jam action was EA’s fantastic 2010 version, also titled simply NBA Jam.
Praises and gripes
To most people, this game is a lesser version of the original, and the control feels clunky by comparison. But after a few games, you’ll get the hang of it pretty easily. It’s still ultra hyper 2-on-2 basketball action. The controls are still basic. The strategies are still straightforward.
To spice things up, there’s not just “He’s on fire!” but there’s also “team fire,” which you activate with “double dunks,” where you lob the ball mid-flight to your teammate who slams it. The double dunks are an interesting strategic wrinkle. A savvy gamer would use them to avoid a block more than any other reason.
Defense is a bigger part of the game. The court feels small, and the four players can pile up easier than you’d think. Defenders can rack up a lot of steals by tracking down their man and shoving relentlessly.
The graphics are what they are. The color balance is off and it’s dark, but it’s actually easier on 2017 eyes than most N64 games. The animations have a nice simplicity to them, and most of the dunks are awesome.
For solo gamer dorks like me, it’s a big drawback that the CPU is pretty easy to beat. That’s not the case with the original or the 2010 remake.