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Mixed or average reviews - based on 33 Critics What's this?

User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 12 Ratings

  • Summary: Featuring gameplay that is true to the original, NBA Jam will have players spinning with ankle breaking moves to the basket and on the way to high-flying, backboard-smashing dunks. In addition to the classic experience, EA Sports NBA Jam will also introduce new game modes, characters and gameplay depth. Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 33
  2. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Dec 21, 2010
    85
    Though this game is a visceral and grand experience, I can't get away from the fact that it was supposed to be a free pack-in, and instead they've slapped a $50 price tag on it. It would've surely been the best pack-in of all time. As a stand-alone retail game, I can still recommend it, but only for fans of the NBA Jam series.
  2. Nov 23, 2010
    74
    Well done! The classic arcade gameplay returns.
  3. Dec 11, 2010
    73
    NBA Jam is a funny game that lets the player play 2 versus 2 in completely over the top basketball matches. This game is all about fun and that's the strongest part of the game. The graphical style is also unique and fun. You got the realistic NBA 2K11 game and the not so realistisch NBA Jam game, your choice!
  4. Jan 4, 2011
    70
    NBA Jam meets most of its expectations.The game is very entertaining however it must be said that this should have been a downloadable game. The game just doesn't feel like a full retail game but remains amusing nonetheless.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 7
  2. Negative: 2 out of 7
  1. Boomshakalaka!
    The game is set in the comic-realistic world of the NBA. You are given an option to choose from two different versions. The ret
    ro version which is basically that of the older NBA jam games and a brand new remixed version of the older games modes including some exciting power ups such as Strength, Agility and much more these power-up's can really make or break the game. My idea of the remixed mode is that you can have very mixed opinions on this because of the computer being easily able to attain the power-up's due to its precise movements.

    Does it live up to its hype you may say?...What hype. Because of games like 'Call Of Duty', games like 'NBA jam' are very under-looked even if it does have a legion of fans following it.

    The game is simplistic at its best and is easy for any one to pick up and play. The controls vary from that of buttons to the mish-mash of analogue sticks and the analogue stick controls can take some time getting used to, so it was good that they included tutorials using stick men as the overall figure which i find quite original and unusual.

    The game-play is some of the finest to this date, from the fluidity of the characters movements to the over-the-top dunks and slams, to the wacky variety of characters including politicians from the democratic side and the republican side, The feeling of accomplishment when finally managing to get a goal streak 3 exceeds your expectations because then your basketball ignites and this is when the ball gets rolling...after five or more-so shots the flames are extinguished and that feeling of anguish will hit you like a fire ball (pardon the pun) but there is always an upside to that because of yourself having the ability to extinguish your opponents flames and it is so much better if your opponent is sat right next to you in the same room.

    The graphic's can be visually compared to rag-doll kung fu due to that having the same quirkiness yet cartoony look. It is pretty damn great how much they have perfected the visuals from the old predecessor's. It basically looks like a whole new game even holding the same mechanics as the first one.

    The soundtrack is brilliant and can still hold a candle to the old retro 16 bit popcorn tracks. One thing i miss is the old distortion in the soundtrack and the commentators voice it just gave me that old retro feel again and i wish that they could of made an option to include both the new and improved sounds and the original retro sounds.

    The character roster in this game is built up of that of dreams such legends as 'Magic Johnson and Larry Bird' join the new and phenomenal crowd of characters. Even the Beastie Boy's make a return as well as some new teams like the stickmen and the sprite team; just to name a new.

    The multiplayer and the easy to access Online modes are a great addition as well as some new modes such as '21, elimination and domination'; It's a shame the online is sparsely populated.

    To conclude this review i would say that this game is the best arcade basketball game to date and could even hold its own with the said 'NBA 2k' series. If you're a newcomer or even an experienced gamer, i would highly recommend you to pick up this title, You won't regret it.
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  2. Easily a game anyone would like to try if they've played the arcade version back in the 90s. Only drawback is that NBA Jam slaps us with a 50$ charge for a minimum amount of extra content. NBA Jam does its job by providing fun and laughter though and should be played with a minimum of two players on either offline or online; excluding the AI. Expand
  3. Great game. Fun for parties, and captures the charm of the arcade title. This game is well worth the price of admission for anyone that wants to have a good time with their friends. Expand
  4. 1
    The games catch up mode is horrible. The npc cheat like mad. When you get 10 points infront the npc gains a level, when you get 20 points infront they gain 2 levels and then they just become unbeatable. It ruins the game. Expand

See all 7 User Reviews