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Playing 'NBA Jam' on a 16-foot cabinet at CES 2020
I know I'm not tall enough to dunk in real life, but I never thought I'd be too short to pull off the move in NBA Jam. That is, until Arcade1Up brought a 16-foot NBA Jam arcade cabinet to CES 2020 and proved me dead wrong.
EA tweet was 'unauthorized,' no new NBA Jam announcements
A tweet teasing a new entry in basketball series NBA Jam came from unauthorized use of the account, EA has told Joystiq. "Yesterday, there was unauthorized use of the @nbajam Twitter handle," an EA representative said. "We do not have any announcements to make about NBA Jam at this time." The tweet in question is still on the account. The series returned to consoles in 2010 with NBA Jam before an enhanced NBA Jam: On Fire Edition version arrived in 2011. The series is dormant, then, until EA decides to officially announce a new game. In other words, this is like that time Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Shawn Bradley, Muggsy Bogues and Larry Johnson had to wait for Michael Jordan to bring their basketball talent back to them in Space Jam. [Image: Electronic Arts]
EA teases re-re-return of NBA Jam
EA Sports has issued a tweet gauging interest in an NBA Jam sequel, hinting at a new entry in the long-running arcade-style basketball series. NBA Jam returned to consoles in 2010 after a lengthy hiatus, arriving first for the Nintendo Wii and later making its way to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. An enhanced downloadable version, NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, followed in 2011, offering an array of gameplay improvements and new features. Electronic Arts has not announced any plans to produce an NBA Jam sequel, and in a rare display of reticence, @NBAJamAnnouncer remains silent on the issue. [Image: EA]
Stiq Figures, May 14 - 20: He's heating up edition
Welcome to Stiq Figures, where the sales data is after the break and the posts don't matter. Every week, we take a look at, uh, something – meanwhile, the previous week's Japanese hardware sales figures are posted after the jump, and a discussion of said figures takes place in our comments. It may not be conventional, but it's a time-honored Joystiq tradition. There aren't many sports games like NBA Jam. Back when Michael Jordan was the king of the court, the 1993 Midway arcade classic was known for its tight controls, secret characters, zany dunks, and outrageous catch-phrases by announcer Tim Kitzrow. While Jordan wasn't in the game (he reached his own licensing agreement with the NBA in 1992, and Midway was unable to secure a deal with him), it was Scottie Pippen that brought his excellent three-point shots to the court alongside Chicago Bulls teammate Horace Grant.That is, Pippen's usually excellent three-point ability. NBA Jam creator Mark Turmell admitted in a 2008 interview with ESPN: The Gamer that Pippen's tendency to win close games was tuned down in certain circumstances. Specifically, when any Bulls player attempts a glorious last-second shot against Turmell's favorite team, the Detroit Pistons, a special piece of code in the game would average the shots out to be bricks.Turmell said, "There was the big competition back in the day between the Pistons and the Bulls, and since I was always a big Pistons fan, that was my opportunity to level the playing field." This is one case where any close loss against a friend can be reasonably blamed on the game.
Report: NBA Jam creator Mark Turmell leaves EA to join Zynga
Mark Turmell, EA Tiburon's senior creative director and the creator of NBA Jam, has allegedly left Electronic Arts for Zynga. Kotaku confirmed with EA that Turmell left the publisher, with a company spokesperson saying, "We appreciate Mark's contribution to Tiburon and EA Sports and wish him well in future endeavors." Turmell's departure adds some questions to the rumored return of NFL Blitz, allegedly being developed at EA Tiburon. Turmell co-created the original NFL Blitz while at Midway. If Turmell does end up at Zynga, he adds his name to a list that includes former EA COO John Schappert, developer Brian Reynolds and many, many other individuals and studios.
NBA Jam: On Fire Edition will be $15, sport a touch of razzle-dazzle
NBA Jam was meant to be bundled as a freebie before EA canned NBA Elite 11. It ended up on disc as a standalone product on Wii and, later, Xbox 360, PS3 and eventually iOS. Now, EA is launching NBA Jam yet again, this time on Xbox Live and PSN. NBA Jam: On Fire Edition is slated for PSN and Xbox Live Arcade this fall and aims to offer the most comprehensive version of the game yet, as a $15 download. It's got a new taunting system, online features and the ability to switch between ballers when playing solo. There are two different core taunts: a mocking gesture (called a razzle-dazzle in the game) that's meant to harass your opponent; and a self-explanatory poke. The poke isn't as strong as the shove, but it's pretty hilarious to see in action -- the cartoon sound bite helps to sell it. Other new additions include a team fire capability, where three successful alley-oops will set your entire team on fire. You can now switch between players on demand, and the game claims to have an overhauled, more aggressive AI. There's also a new online tournament mode and online co-op campaign, if you're into that whole teamwork thing. EA representatives wouldn't give me a narrower launch window than October at last week's EA Summer Showcase, but I was told that gamers should expect NBA Jam: On Fire Edition right around the time when "basketball games usually release." So, October, then.%Gallery-127946%
Amazon Wii deals say 'Condadulations'
Amazon is getting started on its Father's Day celebration early, with the first of three week-long video game sales in honor of "Dads and grads." That website's dad is really important to it, we suppose -- he helped Amazon.com develop a strong sense of right and wrong, and provided the encouragement it needed to grow up and be a successful website -- and made just the best chili. The first sale, running through June 4, discounts a bunch of Wii games and accessories, heavily focused on EA Sports stuff, like NBA Jam for $20 and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 The Masters for $30. Next week, from June 5 through June 11, Amazon will offer "Handheld Deals," followed by "Next Generation Console & PC Deals" on June 12-18.
NBA Jam hits iPad from downtown
One day, Goldilocks decided she wanted to play EA's new NBA Jam. First, she sat down on the couch and tried to play it on a console, but the TV was too big. So she pulled her iPhone out of her pocket and downloaded NBA Jam from the App Store. But that screen was too small. Finally, EA released a version of NBA Jam for the iPad, and it was just right (and cost $10). EA also released an update for the iPhone version that adds multiplayer functionality, but we couldn't fit that into the story.
TUAW's Daily App: NBA JAM
Yes, the classic NBA JAM title has been released by EA for iOS, and it's got everything you remember from the old console version: the crazy announcers, the quick games and even some kooky special characters. The iPhone version was released a little while ago for US$4.99, but this week EA has added a free version to try out as well as an iPad version for $9.99. The UI is a little clunky with virtual buttons just laid over the screen in the iPhone version, but it works well enough, and the graphics look as good as the modern version on the Wii. There is local multiplayer via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but there's no Game Center integration or online play, which is too bad. Still, it's a quality port of the recent console title, and as I said, all of the fun stuff you remember about the old game, including the over-the-top dunks and announcer Tim Kitzrow. If you missed out on this one when it came to consoles, it's probably worth picking up for iOS.
Mortal Kombat secret character tryouts may disturb you
The Machinima clip posted after the jump is, in many ways, deplorable. It shows some of our most beloved game characters of all time brutally fatality-ing a number of Mortal Kombat fighters, and we're finding it difficult to shake. On the other hand, we've gotta have that NBA Jam cameo. We need it.
NBA Jam: On Fire Edition drives to PSN, XBLA this October
EA Sports is working on a follow-up to last year's reboot of NBA Jam, but this one's going download-only. NBA Jam: On Fire Edition is set to take the court in October for both PS3 and Xbox Live (no Wii release announced) and will arrive via PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade, respectively. It's worth noting that last year's game was a full $50 retail release, but a stripped-down version was originally planned as a downloadable title free to those who purchased new copies of the ill-fated NBA Elite 11. On Fire Edition will benefit from new opponent AI (adapted from the Fight Night titles), revamped visuals and a host of new online features including an online co-op "Road Trip" campaign mode and roster updates. The new AI is promising competition that "learns your tendencies and throws them back in your face." Y'know, kind of like having the fact that you paid 50 bucks for the last game, when this one will probably run $15-20, thrown back in your face. Boomshakalaka!
NBA Jam confirmed for iPhone, teaser video shows off UI
You probably already possess a wide array of accessories for your Apple-branded mobile device, but we suggest adding some form of iPhone wrist bungee to your collection. Why? EA Sports has announced that its over-the-top, recently remade basketball title NBA Jam is getting ported to the iPhone, and we can't imagine that we'll able to play it without inadvertently "slam dunking" our expensive cell phones to the ground with each and every "Boom-Shaka-Laka" therein. The publisher didn't announce any pricing or release date details, but did reveal a short gameplay clip, which we've posted after the jump. Looks like the lo-fi graphics of the modern remake have maintained their quality on the iPhone -- though we'll have to wait until it's released to find out how well those touch controls work when executing the highest, nastiest, most bodacious dunkaroos.
Thrifty Nerd crams yet a few more gaming deals into 2010
The price-conscious folks over at Thrifty Nerd have picked up on a few more solid end-of-the-year gaming deals. If you somehow still haven't bought enough games to last you through 2011 (or at least until Dead Space 2 hits on January 25), here are a few more great titles to get on the cheap: Amazon's got that WoW deal back on again: Buy the original World of Warcraft and get Burning Crusade for free. Amazon also has Halo: Reach for just $39, Batman: Arkham Asylum GOTY for $20 and Dance Central for $39. Newegg has NBA Jam for just $30 on PS3 and Xbox 360. Buy.com is selling arcade racer Blur for just over $17. And finally, Walmart has underrated shooter Metro 2033 for under $20. There. Are you happy? Have enough games now? Sheesh!
Dwight Howard hits the streets for NBA Jam
EA set up an NBA Jam arcade cabinet out on the street in NYC and had hoopster extraordinaire Dwight Howard hang out and play with folks recently. That's all well and good, but we're a bit concerned at the comfort level of these people in the video.
NBA Jam on PS3 and Xbox getting day-one online multiplayer patch
NBA Jam ballers on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 need not worry about online functionality -- aside from "Classic Mode" being available out of the box, the patch adding online versus and co-op to the rest of the modes will be available at launch. Get an early look at what it'll add after the break.
NBA JAM trailer features the Washington D.C. Globetrotters
So, you've still got the burning urge to engage in politics following yesterday's Midterm election? Don't actually get involved with your local government bodies -- that would be ridiculous! Instead, watch this NBA Jam video, which features a bunch of showboating, high-dunking politicians.
Our favorite SCOTUS quotes with commentary from the NBA Jam guy
We're still poring over the transcripts from today's Schwarzenegger vs. EMA case, and as we discussed it, we decided our enthusiasm for the judges' utter contempt for the Schwazenegger side's argument could only be summed up with quotes from NBA Jam announcer Tim Kitzrow. Enjoy.
NBA Jam sets PS3 and Xbox 360 on fire Nov. 17
EA has finally revealed the launch details for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of NBA Jam, originally to be given away with NBA Elite 11. The arcade basketball title will slam dunk into retail on November 17, for the same $50 price point as the Wii version. Effectively, it replaces NBA Elite 11 as EA's holiday basketball game (though analyst Michael Pachter has predicted that it won't be an adequate replacement). In fact, we're pretty sure someone at EA is desperately trying to perform a Jedi mind trick on us now, to convince us that there was never anything called NBA Elite, and Jam has always been the plan. You'll be able to play Classic 2-on-2 mode online on day one, but EA plans to add several additional online features in a December title update -- features like various "Remix Games," four-player Jam Party mode, and an Online Progression mode in which players build their character by taking them through a series of online challenges. The fact that all the online features aren't ready for launch adds more credence to the idea that EA is using this to plug an Elite-shaped hole.%Gallery-105672%
Fox News uncovers NBA Jam's liberal agenda
At journalism camp, we all learned to ask "the hard questions." For your pals at Joystiq, given the opportunity to chat with Peter Moore following EA Sports' last-minute delay of NBA Elite 11 and the subsequent rush to make NBA Jam on Xbox 360 and PS3 a fully featured product in and of itself, we'd have had no shortage of questions. "How are you going to bring the HD versions of the game up to feature parity with the Wii this year?" "With NBA 2K 11 gathering accolades, are you concerned that changing the NBA Live formula and then delaying it is ceding ground to the competition?" And the list goes on. Fox News' Jenna Lee, given the same opportunity, asked the hard hitting question that we -- perhaps because of our single-minded focus on video games or perhaps because of our shortage of political acumen -- never thought to ask: "Is this a bipartisan game though, Peter?" You see, President Obama, in addition to actually playing basketball, not being ancient and being president of the country, has some special moves in the game, clearly illustrating political bias on the part of the liberal fat cats at EA. In the interest of defusing this tense political standoff, we'd like to point out that Ms. Palin appears to have her own special move: playing men's basketball. Watch the full clip after the break.
Obama, Palin, others playable in NBA Jam
What, you expected any less? Yes, of course various political and cultural icons will be showing up in EA's just released reboot to NBA Jam. ESPN revealed as much in a recent interview with the game's creative director, Trey Smith, who said not only is former President Bill Clinton a playable character, but also the Beastie Boys, President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former VP Al Gore. A team of republicans is helmed by Miss Wasilla 1984 herself, Sarah Palin, with former President George W. Bush, former VP Dick Cheney and Arizona Senator John McCain backing her up. "Secret characters were on the list from day one," Smith said, adding "these secret characters and the element of surprise is something we hung our hats on very early." EA wouldn't reveal how said characters are accessed, but considering the game was released today for Nintendo Wii (with 360 and PS3 versions coming "in time for the holidays"), we'd suggest you start pounding away at buttons on that character selection screen right now.
