NBA Jam (1993) – Video Game Review

Video Game Review • You get home from school, throw your backpack on the floor in the corner & turn the tv to channel 3 so your Sega Genesis will come on. Then you hear that beautiful word “SEEEGGAA!” If it doesn’t come up, then you know blowing inside the game will always do the trick.

Before we could play with a full roster, NBA Jam gave a 4 player setup where you had to choose two players from your favorite basketball team. One of my favorite duos to play with was Reggie Miller & Detlef Schrempf. Reggie was a beast behind that 3 point line. You were guaranteed to get a “HE’S ON FIRE” from the commentators once he got started. Another duo I loved playing with was Utah Jazz GOATS Karl Malone (The Mailman) & John Stockton. Those two were unstoppable, & it was lights out if they both got on fire. 

NBA Jam is the OG of over the top graphics when it came to the athleticism. They had guys dunking from half court & all you heard was “BOOM SHOCKA LOCKA!” We need commentating like that, give the games some spice. This game had no foul calls or backcourt violation, you just had to take them hits like a G & keep it pushing. Knock Shaquille O’neal over, run down to the other end of the court & hit them with that “JAMS IT IN!” 

Unlike today’s NBA video games, you had the same song playing each game. There was no soundtrack like Live & 2k. They had an intro song & a game song & that’s it! You had so much fun playing the game you didn’t notice it, although I think most video games in the 90’s had the same songs during play. Now you have real rappers making songs specifically for the game. Oh how times have changed!

NBA Jam is one of my favorite childhood games & probably in my top 2 of Sega games. They had us outside thinking we could dunk from the free throw line & hoping the ball would catch on fire. Don’t let somebody block your shot because “REJECTED!” will be heard around the neighborhood. These kids today really missed out on a bomb childhood & they will never understand. If you still have your Sega, go hit a couple quarters for me.