NBA Jam

Today's sports video games can sometimes be an exercise in button combinations. While triggers and control sticks have added endless detail to many games, they also serve to raise the "starting bar" for many players. A game like NBA Jam TE for the Super Nintendo, though, proves that the K(eep) I(t) S(imple), S(tupid) approach to gaming still has a place in the industry.

The premise behind NBA Jam TE is simple: two-on-two basketball. There are no complex plays or advanced control schemes. You just move the ball down the court and try to score. Of course, the graphics and "bells and whistles" are anything but simple! This is a high-octane experience that has coined such phrases as "he's on fire!" and "razzle dazzle!", while also providing bright colors and a visually-appealing setup.

In some ways, this may be one of (if not THE) best game I've ever played for the SNES. Get a friend to play against and you can have hours of fun, as the game is perfectly centered in that area where it is easy to pick up and play, yet practicing will most definitely improve your game. I recently exposed a newbie gamer to the experience, and within a few games they were challenging me! It is that easy to get hooked on.

A key factor in this game, too, is that each team features players that are good at different skills. This (despite all the cartoonish sound/visual effects) allows the game to still be grounded in basketball experiences. You can drain threes with Reggie Miller, work the paint with Malone/Stockton, opt for speedy little squirts that can weave in-and-out, or big boys who won't break down as fast after taking a beating. Though the game has very much an arcade feel to it, it does still rely on some strategy to succeed.

The only downside to this game? No Michael Jordan on the Bulls. I believe this was because of a rights issue with him. Just kind of disappointing.

The lack of His Airness, however, does not diminish the fun factor of this game enough to even knock it down from a full five stars. When I look back on all the SNES games I've ever played, this is among the select few that remain in my collection for the long haul. One can make the case that it was the best basketball experience ever produced until the last couple of years when the NBA2K games really started getting good. That is the mark of a true classic!