First NBA Jam details and screenshot @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on January 16, 2010

News: EA is on fire with their respect for NBA Jam's past.

The February issue of Nintendo Power is winging its way to subscriber's mailboxes and with it comes a massive preview of the Wii-exclusive NBA Jam. First, some sad news. The magazine has the game listed with a Fall release date. So any jamming is still half a year away. But on to the good news...

NBA Jam for the Wii looks like it will be a fantastic update of an old favorite as the team at EA Canada are saying all the right things in relation to the game's development. First of all, the game will feature the classic two-on-two gameplay of old school NBA Jam, but gamers will be able to choose from a roster of three players per team. Secondly, the game can be played with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, but it can also be controlled by holding the Wii Remote sideways. The preview did not mention Classic Controller support, so right now it looks like it won't be included.

In addition to those nods to history, the game will include two modes: Classic Campaign (similar to the ladder tournament seen in the original NBA Jam) and Remix Tour. Remix Tour will add gameplay tweaks and change the way the game feels in ways the developers weren't ready to divulge yet.

While the Remix Tour will change NBA Jam for the 21st century, the Classic Campaign will include plenty of options that should be familiar to any arcade rats from the early 90s. Some of these features include Turbo and "On Fire", backboard-shattering dunks, cheats (including Big Head Mode), flashing shoes, flashing ball and secret characters (including Legends, Mascots, and hopefully, President Obama).

Finally, the game's look will be both modern (using 3D polygons for each player's body) and retro (using a 2D photgraph for each player's face). The graphical style is said to recall the original NBA Jam and each player will have multiple photos to display different emotions (happiness, anger, sadness, excitement) during the game. GoNintendo scanned one of the screenshots from the preview and it's definitely well worth a look.

We'll have more on NBA Jam soon. Even if we're devastated we won't be able to play it until the Fall.