Tech News on G4NBA JamFeb 16, 2011By Ted Kritsonis - G4 Canada |
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Originally, NBA Jam was supposed to be an add-on to NBA Elite 11, but once EA cancelled it, they decided to add more and release it on its own. While there's nothing wrong with doing it that way, the $50 price tag seems a bit much for what the game offers.
There is a Remix mode of the classic game, but it just lays out power-ups on the court that can enhance players' abilities. It adds a bit of fun to the festivities, but it's really not that much of a departure from the classic game, such as it is. That aside, classic does get a bit repetitive, and the AI has a tendency to resort to being cheap in key parts of a game. But more than that, it's just that you can't be as creative with your plays when playing on your own. It becomes a very different game when partnered with a friend or when playing against other human opponents, but more on that in a bit.
Elimination is an interesting one that pits players against each other in a half-court survival-of-the-fittest scrimmage. The player with the fewest points is kicked off, until only one player is left standing. The same premise goes for a game of 21, where the first player to 21 points wins. Boss Battles pit you against a legend in a one-on-one duel where you have to win based on conditions set by your opponent.
This doesn't make the game bad, but it does make you think twice about the price tag it comes with. Had this been an Xbox Live or PlayStation Network download for less money, it could've easily been the top game on both platforms. As is, Jam is one of those games that would be worth picking up as a pre-owned game for less money, unless you're a huge fan that has no problem paying the sticker price for a brand new copy.
Rating: 7 / 10
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Terms like "boomshakalaka!" and "he's on fire!" were made famous in arcades everywhere almost 20 years ago when NBA Jam thrilled gamers everywhere. Though it's had its time on game consoles before, EA Sports has brought it into the HD era with this latest iteration. The idea had promise, but the final product leaves a little to be desired.
As you would expect, a typical NBA Jam tilt is all about frenetic gameplay filled with over-the-top dunks, outrageous blocks on defense and hoops engulfed in flames. You can choose to play the 2-on-2 style of game in its classic form, or opt to try some of the new games modes that take the formula to a different level. There is the classic campaign that pits you against all of the current NBA teams, plus six legendary duos from bygone eras. Beat the whole campaign and you can unlock the hilarious Big Head mode. 
Smash is a mode where the main objective is to put together enough dunks and alley-oops to bring down the other team's backboard - a furious game where driving to the lane is a must on every possession. Domination is arguably one of the best because you're forced to make baskets from different areas of the court to dominate your opponent by raining in more points. It's sort of like how three straight baskets from the same player put him on fire, but it's distributed between both teammates. 
Jam goes to a new level once you take your game online against other opponents, especially in 2-on-2 matchups. The level of teamwork and the pace of the game can grow a lot depending on who's playing, so it's entirely likely that you will have the most fun when playing online. In fact, the more time you spend online, the more the single-player campaigns show their drawbacks. 
NBA Jam
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