This 2010 upgrade to the original NBA Jam was first published for the Wii, then as a separate HD edition for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It features the series’ basic 2-on-2 gameplay with loose rules, all 30 NBA teams from the 2010-2011 season, and a new Remix Mode that adds even more arcade aspects to the on-court action.
NBA Jam allows players to grab the ball and shove opponents without penalty, hold down a recharging “turbo” modifier to boost their speed and maneuvers and become “on fire” after three consecutive baskets. Elements from subsequent Midway basketball games, such as crossovers, spins, and tag-team alley-oops from NBA Hang Time, are featured. Extended rosters are also derived from NBA Jam Tournament Edition, with each team having at least three players of various strengths and stats who can be substituted at halftime. There are no injuries in this game, and each team’s roster can be enlarged with unlockable players obtained by earning in-game achievements.
Remix Mode also incorporates aspects from NBA Jam Tournament Edition, such as reintroducing on-court powerup icons. Players that capture these icons earn temporary perks such as quick on-fire or immunity to being shoved. Other modes include a return of “hot spots” that award point bonuses for shots made within them, an “elimination” mode in which the lowest-scoring player at the end of each quarter is ejected from the game, a way in which backboards are given a life bar and each team tries to shatter their opponents’ board first, and a variation on the classic 21 street ball game.
Players can also pick between a Classic campaign, in which they coach one squad against all 29 NBA teams, and a Remix campaign, in which excellent performance earns points that can be used to unlock new divisions and boss battles against basketball legends. Completing these challenges grants access to new teams and hidden cheats.
The game overlays numerous digital images of its participants onto animated CG bodies, with their faces shifting (comically) in response to their activities. At the side of the court is a still photo of that team’s current coach. For the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, the graphics are entirely HD. All versions also include the option to use motion controls. Players can tilt the controller up and down to simulate shooting the ball on the Wii. The right thumbstick is used in the PS3 and Xbox versions to achieve the same effect. Standard button configurations are also supported in all three versions, which use the series’ traditional layout.
The PS3 and Xbox360 both allow online multiplayer. Only local multiplayer is supported by the Wii, iPad, and iPhone versions.
