CNET Editors' note: The "Download Now" link directs you to the Android Market where you must continue the download process. This download may not be available in some countries.
CNET Editors' review
NBA Jam is an updated and faithful recreation of probably the most popular standup arcade basketball game of all time. For those who never went through several dollars in quarters at the local arcade playing this fun classic many years ago, NBA Jam is not your standard five-on-five simulation you see on consoles. This game is all about two-vs.-two high-flying dunk basketball, where just about every play is worthy of a highlight reel.
The control system for NBA Jam on offense includes a directional pad on the lower left part of the screen, and pass, shoot, and speed boost buttons on the lower right. On defense you have the D-pad, but your options are steal, jump (for blocks), and speed boost buttons.
Each team of the full 30-team NBA lineup uses the current biggest stars on each team as your default starters. But the game gives you a couple of options for other players on the team should you decide to go with a different strategy. You also decide which player you control on your chosen team, but be aware that you will control that player the entire game--there is no player switching in NBA Jam as you have on consoles.
The gameplay in NBA Jam is excellent--just like the arcade classic. You get a couple of game mode options including a standard exhibition game so you can start playing immediately in a single game, and a longer classic campaign mode in which you play games against all 30 teams for the championship. NBA Jam also has a number of achievements you can earn--all of which are listed in the Challenges section.
Probably best of all for those of us who played the original arcade game, NBA Jam offers unlockable classic players for each team. Some expansion teams will only let you play as the mascot, but most teams have classic players many NBA fans will remember from the original arcade game. Once it's unlocked you can play past greats Magic Johnson and James Worthy from the Los Angeles Lakers, Dominique Wilkins and Kenny Smith from the Hawks, and Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin from the Golden State Warriors, as examples. Also, to add to the nostalgia, EA has used the same announcer from the original game who still says "Boom Shakalaka!" among other things when you make a particularly nasty dunk.
Our only problem with this otherwise solid game is that it only includes a multiplayer mode via Wi-Fi. We admit, it's fun to smack-talk as you dunk on your friends while playing playing the same room, but we also hope later releases will add online multiplayer games as well.
Overall, NBA Jam has enough excitement and challenge with four skill settings to keep you coming back for more. Anyone who played the original arcade game, or anyone with even a passing interest in basketball or sports games, will love this game.
Publisher's Description
From Electronic Arts:
Jam with your favorite stars from all 30 NBA teams in over-the-top, high-flying, 2-on-2 arcade basketball just like you remember it and like youve never seen before!** NBA JAM is a larger-than-life game (300MB+), so we strongly recommend connecting to WiFi before downloading. Trust us, this Jam is worth the wait.**PLAY NOW! PLAY CLASSIC! PLAY HEAD-TO-HEAD AGAINST A FRIEND!3 modes of play let you ball the way you want: Play Now Select a team and jump right into the ballgame. Classic Campaign Defeat all other teams to win the championship, and unlock legends, hidden players, and outrageous cheats. Local Multiplayer Go big head 2 big head against a friend via local WiFi or BluetoothYOURE ON FIRE ON ANDROID!If youre from the Old School, youll feel the 90s nostalgia while you play the hottest arcade sports game on the Android Market. Featuring the voice of Tim Kitzrow (the original NBA JAM play-by-play announcer), youll hear all the classic catchphrases plus a few new ones. This JAM is all about boomshakalaka- and beyond! Go to the hole. Go strong. Go for the monster jam. KABOOM!Discover more games from EA like FIFA 12 by EA SPORTS, The Sims FreePlay, and Real Racing 2. See all our games for Android now!Be the first to know! Get inside EA info on great deals, plus the latest game updates, tips, and more!VISIT US: http://www.ea.com/androidFOLLOW US: twitter.com/eamobileLIKE US: facebook.com/eamobileWATCH US: youtube.com/eamobilegamesEnd User License Agreement: http://tos.ea.com/legalapp/mobileeula/US/en/Android/Content rating: Everyone
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