NBA Jam Tournament Edition

Cut loose and go airborne with the latest and greatest installment of NBA Jam.

This year you can rock the rim with superstars Scottie Pippen, Patrick Ewing, Dominique Wilkins, Hakeem Olajuwon, Chris Mullin and Karl Malone. All of the NBA's 27 tea/ns and the top super-stars of the league have been included. In addition to the NBA teams, a rookie team made up entirely of NBA newcomers is included. As with the regular teams, both players can select rookie teams. Unfortunately, rookie team games don't count toward the season standings.

Each team has three to five players, and this year you can substitute players as injuries affect players. There are also a host of new, hidden characters strewn throughout the game that will be a challenge to find and play, using all of the codes you can think of.

Besides all-new dunks, an increased number of voice samples have been included. From key to key, the action is intense this year, and the Super NES version will support the Super Multitap or the Super Link for multiperson gaming. You can take it to the boards in a two-on-one, one-on-one or two-on-two game play scenario.

NBA Jam Tournament Edition's recordkeeping feature stores each player's repord, ranking, winning percentage and more. All-new power-up icons will increase dunking ability, cause a player to remain on fire, or have an increased ability to intercept passes. There are so many new icons that they included a directory of them! A 3 increases the player's ability to make the three-point outside shot. The D allows players to perform the Monster Jams from anywhere on the court. An S will increase a player's overall speed, a P increases a player's power, a T gives a player unlimited turbo and an F will cause a player to catch fire, increasing his ability to sink those incredible slams. Finally, the B flattens everyone on the court except the player who collects it. The Juice Mode is unforgettable, and we're not talking orange juice.

The Iceman and I have been taking to the court in a big way. and I'm so hot I'm a human flamethrower!

Super NES owners will toss their DKC carts into the nearest tree and take to the hard court with NBA JAM Tournament Edition.

Okay, here's what everyone's been waiting for. The sequel to NBA Jam has finally come thanks to Acclaim. The approximate date of release should be around March 1995.

Clearly named NBA Jam The Tournament Edition and straight from the arcades, the game play is much like its Super NES predecessor.

But that's only the beginning, as this version features all of the greatest basketball players from every team in the league. Your roster to select from has been increased. You may notice that the trades among the clubs are reflected in these rosters. Now you can see the different players traded to other teams, how they are placed in that team and see the new rookies in your lineup. With the already awesome dunks in the first version, more awesome high-flyin'. backboard-breaking dunks have been produced. This is NBA Jam, after all.

Unlike its predecessor, more statistics are involved. In this edition, you'll get to see more stats on players like passing ability, power, clutch play and injury. These stats will be based on numbers rather than a bar in the first NBA Jam.

Four players are included. As for codes and other tricks popping out, look in later issues of EGM.

The courts are open for another round of slammin' and jammin'! The sights and sounds of NBA Jam Tournament Edition haven't changed much from the previous version, but the wild array of fresh options and game- play refinements make for a whole new game of hoops.

Razzle Dazzle

With the depth and variety of Jam's new features, this game has enough staying power to challenge -- and please -- serious Jammers. All 27 NBA teams and a sharp Rookies team now offer three to five players per team, and the rosters are so current that Chris Webber even plays for the Bullets! Although new hidden characters were reportedly included, none were available at press time.

With the radical new options, players can delve deeply into the entertaining realm of fantasy b-ball with power-ups that deck everyone else on-court, enable you to jam from anywhere, and more. Bag a bucket from a hot spot to net anywhere from four to nine points or kick up the speed with the four Juice settings!

Sweet Touch

Acclaim didn't forget the straight-up b-ball fans. Killer game-play refinements, like picking the ball off the rim, keep the action fast and furious. The game's cranked-up speed means you'll have to work harder to bag threes or plant dunks.

You'll need a microscope to spot the graphical improvements. The crowd now waves at you, and minor details like the scoreboard were reworked, but the well-detailed sprites still dunk and block with the same stiff, jerky animation found in the first Jam. Fortunately, the graphics were strong to begin with, and this 16-bit game serves up a remarkable rendition of the arcade court.

Grabs the Rebound

In the sound department, the announcer belts out a nice variety of new phrases, but the muddy sounds effects, especially the flat backboard bounce, fall short. The controls, however, handle well and feel comfortable.

Despite the impressive additions, casual Jammers might find the action a bit too familiar to actually plunk down the cash. Hardcore hoops fans, though, will face enough challenges to keep them dunkin' and bumpin' for quite some time with this strong arcade conversion.

Okay, I know none of you care what I say, because you're still going to buy the game. NBA Jam is a monster hit wherever it springs up despite the fact that the game sucks. Like MK, NBA Jam is a repetitive, and highly flawed exercise in stupidity.This hasn't seemed to stave its increasing popularity, though, so I'll just tell you what you want to hear.

NBA Jam:TE for the Saturn is a perfect translation. All the characters, codes, hot sound and off-the-wall hoop action are here for you to enjoy. The zoom effect is seamless and player faces are distinguishable. All in all, you won't feel ripped off when you pick up your copy of this overrated title. Rest assured that all of the cheap plays, inaccurate player profiles and repetitive, unintelligent strategies are packed into this little disc.That said, it is addictive as hell.

Built for speed, the next-generation systems are perfect for coin-op translations like NBA Jam TE.

Jam's two-on-two arcade-style hoops action is fast paced and realistic. These versions will include picture-perfect replicas of the arcade graphics, complete with scaling and digitized pics of all 120 NBA superstars in the updated roster. Watch for new hidden characters and a playable rookie team called the "Hot Spots. "

Additional power-ups and outrageous special moves should further enhance the gameplay.

These are likely to be the best home versions of this arcade hit to date.

Jam! Jam! JAM! The Sega Saturn and Sony's PlayStation version features true arcade-style players. Scaling of players has been incorporated, giving NBA Jam fans realistic on-screen movements of characters. As in real-life basketball, the closer the players get to the screen, the bigger they become. It's just like you're actually playing the arcade version without having to find the coin slot.

Tournament Edition is loaded with features. With the NBA license, the game features more than 120 updated NBA superstars--even rookies. In the predecessor, you could only play one team versus another team. In TE, you can match up with the same team. Another big change that has been added is that you can rest your players after a quarter has expired. Here you may choose your clutch player to replace the injured guy.

At the Options Screen, you can turn Tournament Modes on or off; Juice Mode; icons (dunk from anywhere on the court, increased three-point ability and so forth) or even Tournament Play. These are some factors that make the game more challenging and enjoyable. Enter the tournament and see if you're good enough for the super team, but that's only when you've beaten all of the other teams.

Expect tons of hints and tricks for this puppy. The later version had a large number of tricks: big heads, secret teams and so forth. This is the closest you can get to the real thing.

Sure, NBA Jam Tournament Edition for PlayStation boasts all the features of the arcade game. But the ball doesn't bounce so high for the next generation. By now, most gamers are aware of the new options in T.E. - more players, substitutions, and so on - so let's go straight to the nitpicking.

It Isn't the Shoes

The graphics look good. The crowd movement from the arcade version is intact, and the scaling from the back to the front of the court is respectable. But the definition of elements like players' faces compares unfavorably to the detail in the arcade game. And you sometimes lose a players noggin off the top of the screen on a monster jam.

T.E. provides plenty of new voices, including player names from the announcer. Sadly, they sound a bit choppy, and purists may snivel about a few choice clips that went AWOL (along with the crackling of the ball on fire). The other sound effects are excellent.

The A.I. presents the game's biggest drawback. It's so tough that even the lower difficulty levels can be murder. As a result, the FunFactor takes a hit and replay value drops considerably.

Jammed Out?

Give this CD a rent before purchasing it. The new options are welcome, but the few missing effects and flaky A.I. will make you think twice before you make your PlayStation a JamStation.

Jam! Jam! JAM! The Sega Saturn and Sony's PlayStation version features true arcade-style players. Scaling of players has been incorporated, giving NBA Jam fans realistic on-screen movements of characters. As in real-life basketball, the closer the players get to the screen, the bigger they become. It's just like you're actually playing the arcade version without having to find the coin slot.

Tournament Edition is loaded with features. With the NBA license, the game features more than 120 updated NBA superstars--even rookies. In the predecessor, you could only play one team versus another team. In TE, you can match up with the same team. Another big change that has been added is that you can rest your players after a quarter has expired. Here you may choose your clutch player to replace the injured guy.

At the Options Screen, you can turn Tournament Modes on or off; Juice Mode; icons (dunk from anywhere on the court, increased three-point ability and so forth) or even Tournament Play. These are some factors that make the game more challenging and enjoyable. Enter the tournament and see if you're good enough for the super team, but that's only when you've beaten all of the other teams.

Expect tons of hints and tricks for this puppy. The later version had a large number of tricks: big heads, secret teams and so forth. This is the closest you can get to the real thing.

While this might upset die-hard b-hall purists, this game has all the high-flying action folks have come to expect from this action title!

While this might upset die-hard b-ball purists, this game has all the high-flying action folks have come to expect from this action title!

While this might upset die-hard b-ball wrists, this game has all the high-flying action folks have come to expect from this action title!

Acclaim had two big hits last year - Mortal Kombat II and NBA Jam. As with the arcade version, NBA Jam Tournament Edition is an excellent game, but it follows NBA Jam in much the same way that the first few Madden sequels did - or, more to the point, in the same way as Street Fighter II Turbo did. It's less a true sequel than a way to squeeze extra sales out of the title.

Don't get me wrong - this is still one of the most exciting, fast paced games you can buy. Tournament Edition has updated players, and slightly improved graphics. They've also added some new tournament modes and there's tons more secret characters, codes, and other hidden goodies. The Tournament Edition has grown eight megs over the original 16-meg NBA Jam, and the extra size isn't just there to sound impressive. However, if you think you're getting a whole new gaming experience, you're probably going to be disappointed.

The SNES version of Jam still has the slight edge over the Genesis in graphics, sound, and game play (putting the Turbo button right under your index finger on the SNES pad sure beats the hell out of the Genesis control configuration).

Either one is a fine addition to your library - but remember, if you already own the original, you may want to rent the follow up once or twice before deciding to shell out the bucks for it.

March madness is on its way, and we're not talking about that silly tournament of 64 amateur teams. We're talking NBA Jam: Tournament Edition! The arcade hit is coming to SNES and Genesis this March and it's bringing all the excitement, codes, and more!

The player rosters are totally updated with the rookies and trades. Each NBA team has three players to choose from (two play at a time), and there promises to be more codes than ever. What secret characters can you call on to lace 'em up? Elvis? O.J. Simpson? Kurt Cobain? Jeffrey Dahmer? Cindy Crawford (we made these up. They are fictitious, so don't go spreading rumors of their existence)? Acclaim won't tell us much of anything yet, but we're gonna find out - somehow, some way.

The first NBA Jam for the SNES and Genesis was an enormous hit, but has the original excitement worn off? Not likely. Is NBA Jam Tournament Edition just another way to squeeze more dough out of the same game, or is it a significant upgrade of a great game? Keep your hoop-lovin' eyes on these hallowed pages for the full scoop as it develops.

Dunk!

Ever wanted to play your favorite basketball star? Now you can with All-Star Challenge for the Game Boy! Pick your pro and jump into head-to-head action!

Master tip #469

Wait until the height of your jump to take your shot. You'll get the best shot!

Fillin' it to the rim doesn't just apply to coffee ads anymore. NBA Jam TE is loaded with options, action, and more backboard- bending fun than before.

The Jam Giveth...

So what's changed? Jam TE has a more developed game-play system. If you're used to sinking three from the opposite basket, expect to be disappointed. It's also easier to pick shots from the rim without getting called for Coal Tending, which makes the game more fair for defensive players.

As for options, you can find a wide range of goofy power-ups like Unlimited Turbo, permanent On Fire ability, and more. Another new feature is the ability to substitute players after every quarter. When rested, they return with a zero injury rating.

More players are packed into NBA Jam TE for the home system than there were in the arcade. Each team has more than two players, and there's even a new rookie team with such first-year hopefuls as Jason Kidd, Grant Hill, and Glen Robinson. Minute touches, like Dennis Rodman's snow-white hair, enhance the game even more.

...And the Jam Taketh Away

What you won't see here are better graphics, better sound, and halftime shows. With larger character sprites, this version seems a lot closer to the arcade game. Although the crowd has been enhanced, the overall graphics look pretty limp.

The sounds are the most disappointing feature. Extra sound samples were added, but the announcer at times sounds so muddled that you don't know if he's saying "He's on fire" or "Heath goes higher."

No music highlights the actual game play, and the dribbling ball and slams are characterized with standard sound effects. Control-wise, there's so little to learn about playing this game that any ball bouncer with a joypad can join in. But the game play is advanced enough that good players will have a tough time challenging each other.

Jam-Tastic

If you're a Jam fan, then you've been waiting all year for this version. Although short on the graphics and sound, this one has "Hoop Hoop Hooray" written all over it.

At this point, NBA Jam is practically a household word.There's no doubt that NBA Jam Tournament Edition is a well-designed game that features more players, more secret codes, and faster, as well as more balanced, gameplay. It's already available on just about every other system, so why would you want it for the Jaguar? Surprisingly, the jaguar version is just as good as, if not better than, both the PlayStation and Saturn versions. Well, except for the music.The music is pretty bad. Somebody really needs to work on that--that and the controller.

NBA Jam Tournament Edition also features updated player rosters, rookie and all-star teams, over 120 NBA stars, including Rodman (my personal favorite), Ewing and Hill, secret codes, hidden players, super power-ups, and the ability to choose from three to five players per team. And wait until you put it into Juice Mode. If you're looking for a fast-paced game with characters who have really big heads, then look no further. Other Jaguar sports games currently available: Charles Barkley Basketball, Brett Hull NHL Hockey, SuperCross 3D, and Fever Pitch.