Best classic home/portable port of NBA Jam?

[derFunkenstein]

Gamer888's comment in the "Sega CD or 32X worth it" thread made me think nostalgic on the topic of NBA Jam. Even today I still think the series is a ton of fun, and the Xbox 360/PS3 update is a blast, even single-player. But it's not exactly a classic game at this point.

 

So I want to know what y'all think is the best version of NBA Jam on a home or portable system, with the cutoff being the PSX/Saturn/N64 era. Anything after that is my arbitrary exclusion list, because I had enough options on the poll as it is. I listed what I think most people will choose, because I don't expect there are many NBA Jam Extreme fans out there. But there might be!

 

For me, I think it's the 32X version of Tournament Edition. I loved the way the Sega versions of NBA Jam (OG and TE) played. When TE came out, I was a victim of the Genesis version's EEPROM save bug. I don't think I ever made it through all 30 teams because I'd constantly lose my progress. When the 32X was getting blown out at $20, I got one along with the 32X version of TE at Babbage's and loved it. The ROM doesn't emulate well, which is a shame.

[Flojomojo]

BOOMSHAKALAKA

I chose the Sega Genesis version, not because it's the best, but because it's easy to play on the go, with buttons, via the Sega Genesis Portable by AtGames. If I cared more about sports, I'd wish that someone would add modern rosters, but that's OK as is since the whole thing is an early 1990s period piece. I don't really think much about basketball but I like NBA Jam.

 

HEAD FAKE

You should add the Atari Jaguar version of TE as a poll option, it was a good port and supported the Team Tap.

 

FROM DOWNTOWN!

It's like a retro remix, but the mobile port is competent, too. Many of you will hate it because it has no buttons ... but that's just because you have no touchscreen skills.

android version

ios version

[digdugnate]

i have a soft spot for the SNES original version- i didn't own the game back then, but i rented a couple of times.

[zetastrike]

PSA For anyone unaware: the Saturn version of TE is garbage. The AI is totally botched. It blocks everything and its strategy consists of getting directly in your face and stealing immediately. It cheats and it ruins the otherwise great presentation the game has.

 

My vote goes to the Genesis version, but the Game Gear version of TE is surprisingly solid and fun.

 

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[Tanooki]

I put one down for the SNES too, though I do remember TE being on there but I never had any real time on that to make a comparison so it could be given they'd be taking a second swing at it being more familiar with their first work at it.

[derFunkenstein]

HEAD FAKE

You should add the Atari Jaguar version of TE as a poll option, it was a good port and supported the Team Tap.

 

Aww, man. I forgot it was on the Jaguar. I can't edit the first post anymore so I don't think I'll be able to edit the poll. Jaguar fans should use the "Other" option I guess.

Edited August 13, 2018 by derFunkenstein

[Punisher5.0]

I just added Jaguar to the poll.

 

For me it would probably Genesis. The SNES version doesnt have music for some reason so thats an automatic no.

[atarilovesyou]

SNES all the way for this one...I generally dont like sports games but this was so much fun, at least for a while.

[Skippy B. Coyote]

I like the Genesis Tournament Edition best, but that may just be because it's the one I grew up with. Objectively speaking the PlayStation TE port is probably the most arcade accurate but there's just something about the comically oversized heads on all the players that puts me off most of the ports other than the Genesis version. I like that the characters don't look like mutants with freakishly large heads in the Genesis version.

Edited August 13, 2018 by Jin

[dj_convoy]

I'd say the easiest one to still play right now is the PlayStation version if you have a PS3 hooked up to your modern day, fancy TV. Other than that Genesis Does (unless you have a 32X; get that, instead).

[Video]

Always wanted the jag one, but my vote is snes. It's the one me and friends put time into. Playing Clinton was awesome.

[+save2600]

SNES... easily the most fun IMO. I think the slightly smaller characters are the perfect size for the court. Action is easy to follow (which I think is rare for most basketball, football, and hockey video games), animation is great, speed is perfect and the controls are spot on. A true gem for the SNES.

[Tanooki]

Have to agree with that about the action, it works very smoothly on there like it was almost meant to be despite being arcade right down the characters giving their all at a little smaller of a size as it gave a better feel for the space in the resolution the SNES allowed. And also liked the Clintons in there too, I'd sometimes just fire them up to foul the hell out of them for fun.

[+wongojack]

I think the SNES is the only version that I've played besides the Arcade, but this is one scenario where I've actually played the arcade game more than any home version. . .

 

Voted SNES

[Austin]

Nostalgia aside, there's really no argument. It's either the PS1 or Saturn versions of TE. Closest to the arcade that you will get at the time.

[derFunkenstein]

I just added Jaguar to the poll.

 

For me it would probably Genesis. The SNES version doesnt have music for some reason so thats an automatic no.

Thanks for doing that btw.

 

The smaller characters on the SNES/Genesis versions are kind of a feature rather than a limitation, because it's definitely easier to see what's going on. But it loses some of that frenetic pace that the more advanced systems (and the arcade itself) had. It was totally out of control, which is what made it more fun.

[zetastrike]

Nostalgia aside, there's really no argument. It's either the PS1 or Saturn versions of TE. Closest to the arcade that you will get at the time.

Except it's not. See my post. They have borked AI. Barone on Sega-16 dug up a developer interview when I first mentioned it confirming that they didn't mimic the arcade AI like other versions did. If I wasn't on my phone I would provide the link.

 

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[derFunkenstein]

I am floored to see Genesis TE getting votes. Was there a version of the game where your profile actually saved and was retained?

 

Except it's not. See my post. They have borked AI. Barone on Sega-16 dug up a developer interview when I first mentioned it confirming that they didn't mimic the arcade AI like other versions did. If I wasn't on my phone I would provide the link.

 

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I think this is the Sega-16 link you mentioned: http://www.sega-16.com/forum/showthread.php?1101-NBA-Jam-Tournament-Edition&p=767251&viewfull=1#post767251

 

In his post, he links this NeoGAF post: https://www.neogaf.com/threads/okay-lets-settle-this-whats-the-best-version-of-nba-jam-te.1253214/#post-211533687

 

And that NeoGAF post actually references an AtariAge post by the same user: https://atariage.com/forums/topic/105366-nba-jam-te-for-699/?do=findComment&comment=1282286

 

None of it appears to be anything more than someone's observations. I can't find anything that references interviews or developer diaries. I will vouch for the Saturn version being ridiculously hard, though.

Edited August 14, 2018 by derFunkenstein

[Rick Dangerous]

Genesis TE.

 

Own many ports of this game. Probably too many in fact.

[Flojomojo]

I am floored to see Genesis TE getting votes. Was there a version of the game where your profile actually saved and was retained?

 

For me, being able to save my progress in a cartoony spaz-twitch arcade basketball game from the early 1990s is a much lower priority than the game's ability to give me quick stupid fun.

[derFunkenstein]

For me, being able to save my progress in a cartoony spaz-twitch arcade basketball game from the early 1990s is a much lower priority than the game's ability to give me quick stupid fun.

Yeah, I guess, and if you're playing multi-player it's probably not a big deal, but if you can't save your progress in single-player, you're always playing against the same team.

Edited August 14, 2018 by derFunkenstein

[slab0meat]

I'll go with Genesis.

 

 

(Funny aside, my friend and I used to play at our local Malibu a LOT, 4-player. We never lost there. Nevah! That was fun.)

 

Tisdale and Webb were quite the human-controlled duo.

[Flojomojo]

Yeah, I guess, and if you're playing multi-player it's probably not a big deal, but if you can't save your progress in single-player, you're always playing against the same team.

 

I play NBA Jam the same way I play Atari 2600 games -- for the thrill of the moment, not some meta game with lots of progression. I actually forgot that you can enter initials for record keeping. You could do that in the arcade, too -- right?

[+wongojack]

 

I play NBA Jam the same way I play Atari 2600 games -- for the thrill of the moment, not some meta game with lots of progression. I actually forgot that you can enter initials for record keeping. You could do that in the arcade, too -- right?

 

Yes you can

[Video]

I didn't know this was even on a handheld. I need to what a copy for those. Is the gg or gb versions have link support?