Historical Documents: Midway's Original NBA Jam Pitch

This is how Midway originally pitched their idea for an arcade-style basketball game to the NBA. I'm glad they didn't go with multiple camera angles or "coaches' critiques," though replays would've been nice.

Tonight's Matchup: NBA Jam vs Fighting Games

This blog is focused almost entirely on fighting games. Why, then, do I cover NBA Jam? There are a couple of reasons.

First, when I was playing fighting games in the local arcade in the '90's, NBA Jam always had a presence. People would line up to play Jam, just as they would for X-men vs. Street Fighter or Street Fighter Alpha. Between bouts of Mortal Kombat or Killer Instinct, we'd all get in a game or two of NBA Jam. NBA Jam was just as much a part of the arcade culture as any fighting game.

Second, NBA Jam is a competitive multi-player game. It is basically a fighting game with a basketball and two hoops. Players need to focus on meter management (the turbo bar), controlling space (steals and strategic goaltending), when to jump (shooting/blocking), and when to attack (pushing). Many of the elements of fighting games play a huge part in competitive NBA Jam. The game is fast and frenetic and full of those unbelievable moments that we love to see in fighting games. There are insanely-timed steals and miraculous comebacks. There are times when an obviously weaker, "low-tier" player or team overcomes the much-stronger competition. NBA Jam is a fighting game, and it will always have a place on this site.

NBA Jam Features Playable Obama

The new NBA Jam for Wii, released today, features a cadre of hidden players. Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Dick Cheney, and the Beastie Boys are in the game. Also, there's a team of classic NBA Jam programmers, including Mark Turmell.

There's also some new interviews with the developers at ESPN and USA Today.

EA's NBA Jam Scam

Warning: If you are a fan of NBA Jam, this news may seriously anger you. Reader discretion is advised.

EA is releasing NBA Jam on PS3 and 360, in addition to the previously-announced Wii version! Great news, right?! Not really...

NBA Jam for PS3 and 360 will be available ONLY as a downloadable extra included with NBA Elite 11. What's NBA Elite 11? It's the newly retooled and renamed NBA Live. You don't care? Of course, you don't! No one does! NBA Jam is an arcade game, not a simulation. I seriously doubt that NBA Jam fans have any interest in NBA Elite. This is just EA strong-arming people into buying their sub-par basketball game by holding NBA Jam hostage.

Oh, and did I mention that the PS3 and 360 versions are not the full game? EA, you have a new NBA Jam game! Sell it to your customers! I can't believe that something as anticipated as a new NBA Jam launch could be so completely mishandled.

SOURCE

NBA Jam Cover Story at 1UP

Check it out at nbajam.1up.com. Higlights below.

Proof of concept image created by EA

Tim Kitzrow at E3 2010

Gaming's Most Famous Announcer

Recognize this man?

This is the voice of the classic and upcoming NBA Jam games, Tim Kitzrow. I dug up this interview from IGN64, circa 2000. It has a lot of interesting info, including how he got started in the industry, how he got screwed by Marv Albert, five occurrences of "Kukoc," and his connection to Thurston Howell III.

Check out the interview at IGN.