The History of NBA Jam

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NBA Jam is a legendary franchise. The original arcade version, created by Midway, was revolutionary, as was NBA Jam: Tournament Edition, aka NBA Jam TE. But when Acclaim took over, games like NBA Jam Extreme were not so great. NBA Hangtime was the true successor to NBA Jam, followed by NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC. While NBA Hoopz and Ballers were the next Midway NBA titles, they weren't the same. Acclaim came close with NBA Jam (2003), but then NBA Jam was gone for nearly a decade until EA bought up Midway's assets and dropped NBA Jam (2010) on the Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3. While EA's version of the game was the best NBA Jam game since Showtime, it was also the last. NBA Jam lives on however in many other games it influenced, such as NBA, NFL, and FIFA Street, NBA Playgrounds, and any other arcade sports title that exists. To leave a footprint like that, to start a new genre, is legendary.
#retrospective #SOFTDRINKTV #game #review #sdtv

[@TruBuM]

“He’s on fire!” 🔥 “From dooowntoooown!” This game is a H. O. F. Classic 🖕🏽 If u disagree

[@RiderABC187]

"THE NAIL IN THE COFFIN"

[@dwight7778]

BOOM SHAKALAK

[@theothermj22]

"IS IT THE SHOES?"

[@slashismyhommie8182]

He forgot the Beastie Boys were on this game, COME ON MAN ITS THE BEASTIE BOYS!!!

[@English9784]

This... game is a certified hood classic

[@Julianbrownsfan]

You should make a video about the NCAA March Madness games

[@Oir07]

Those were th days

[@kevin2kfan323]

Yes and MVP ncaa and NHL 2k

[@snappynappydugout7072]

💯💯💯💯

[@Julianbrownsfan]

@@kevin2kfan323 I only played NHL2k5, but was really fun

[@kevin2kfan323]

@@Julianbrownsfan same it was 2k5 on NBA MLB college hoops NHL NFL was so much fun

[@jakebetts2885]

When I see NBA Jam I'm reminded of the "two-time back to back 1993-1994 Blockbuster Video Game Champion"

[@premiumdude8353]

I hate that youtube plays two ads now. one ad is annoying enough.

[@snappynappydugout7072]

Get premium

[@jasoncrocker881]

Wdym "now." They been doing that for a while

[@sheamichael2004]

I listen to the channel bedtime stories so i very much know it is a pain in the arse

[@blakelip3]

NBA SHOWTIME ON NBC IS A CLASSIC

[@seeowins]

Big ass classic. Super underrated. Me and my cousins had battles on that game lmao

[@chrisisslick]

I had it on psx. Oh the nostalgia of the nbc theme music!

[@beerthugltd]

Dreamcast version is damn near perfect!

[@seeowins]

@@beerthugltd GOAT version!

[@blakelip3]

chris Will yessir

[@JayBeingNatural]

Don't forget Midway's one-off sports games: CART Fury Championship Racing and RedCard 20-03, aka RedCard in Europe

[@coachd.j.661]

I still have Red Card 20-03 and was hoping for another.

[@TheDevinShamel]

This game was extremely fun. Nowadays, EA would put micro transactions for different jerseys and historic players smh.

[@chazchaos7897]

How are you so correct

[@Twigg4075]

I wouldn't mind it that much if it was a $10 game. Maybe they could charge $40 for a 'premium' version that included everything?

[@snappynappydugout7072]

Facts bro

[@tehbeernerd]

That’s what’s keeping me from demanding a new NBA Jam or NHL Hitz. It would be the same bullshit they pull with their licensed sports simulation games. The death of Midway was one of the worst of the seventh video game generation. Their non-sports licenses went to Warner Bros. and they’ve done dick with them outside of Mortal Kombat.

[@coachd.j.661]

And idiots would buy them! Screwing us all over. 🙅💯

[@chrisbhoy100]

I owned this on the Super Nintendo, me and my friends spent hours & hours playing , great game

[@mike91mdk45]

A masterpiece. Sonics were/are my go to. The glove and the reign man

[@igfromthe323]

Seen the arcade at Costco today, I played it for about five minutes. It was nostalgic as hell!

[@arnoldrobertsiii8908]

I'm so glad you honored Arch Rivals, a lot of people forget about it. I have it on the 360, Midway Arcade Treasures. You can shatter the glass once every quarter in Arch Rivals.

[@gluserty]

I played "NBA Jam: Tournament Edition" & "NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC" the most, and I was glad to own those two. The "NBA Jam" arcade game I did play a little at Putt-Putt (I've never Putt-Putt'ed at all though:-).

[@TheRealJC323]

First off I love this video. Gave me a whole bunch of flashbacks. I have the most nostalgia for NBA Showtime. To put it bluntly it was my childhood obsession. I’ve played it since I was 3 and still very much want a machine. My life would be complete haha. That said though, I played the original NBA Jam for the first time 2 years ago. I understood why it was and continues to be iconic to this day. To be perfectly honest those catchphrases are part of the reason why I wanted to go into sports broadcasting. Long live the legend.

[@marklipford3624]

One of the best games of all time imo.

[@randomizer1666]

Agreed.. I remember spending way too much time in the arcade playing this with my friends.. And I've never enjoyed basketball, there was just something magical about this one... He's on fire!!

[@SkipMonster10]

I loved NBA Hang Time so much as a child

[@The84Chambers]

Got the Arcade1Up cabinet in my bedroom. It’s great.

[@souldrum86]

I miss NBA JAM. No joke one of my favorite games of all time. I spent a lot of my dads money as kid in the arcade. Lol

[@toploc7520]

Yeah same these arcade games had me hooked as a kid , got to a point where my dad just started getting me consoles and a shit ton of games at launch and throughout the year just to feed my habit 😂 still haven’t grown out of it

[@StateoftheFranchiseSports]

Wow and this whole time I had debated whether NBA Jam or NBA Hangtime was better when they are the same game 😮

[@supersquid0045]

Just slightly smoother.

[@neugey]

NBA Jam worked so well, because the UI was simple but also polished and eye-catching. It reinforced a button mashing, frenetic and fun playstyle that helped it fit in with 90's contemporaries like Street Fighter. It really was a crossover sports game that drew even non-sports people in, as did Golden Tee.

[@joshlynch5676]

Remember when games were about having fun and what developers thought would be a game they'd want to play? Now it's a game developers think they'd be able to make the most profit from.

[@gluserty]

Yeah, I believe games can be made for profit while still being fun, but that true love & passion has seemed to have been lost along the way. Things definitely seem a lot more cynical now.

[@TravisTheMaximus]

Yeah now all most gamers care about is dumb skill they cant even have fun anymore they have to be tryhards lol!

[@maxxdahl6062]

I mean, making the most profit was the entire point of arcade games like these. 😂

[@joshlynch5676]

@@maxxdahl6062 I forgot about NBA JAM having VC and Ultimate Team. Thanks for the reminder

[@maxxdahl6062]

@@joshlynch5676 Don't forget the huge "Insert 4 coins for a full game." You're welcome. (and 8 if you're on a 4 player cabinet.)

[@vashtheflashstampede]

He's on fire

[@kennyjdm4912]

Remember spending hours and hours at the aracde playing this game . Later on getting this game for Sega Genesis system . Playing it until I beat it .

[@osurocks24]

You just keep getting even better with these videos. Good job!

[@ogspooks]

As a Gm at a restaurant, having that Ringtone " he's on fire " pumps up my employees during a deep rush of customers. Such positive good times.

[@n00bidi0t5]

OGSpookz or BoomShakaLaka

[@WHNPerk]

I want NBA Street back.

[@chrisisslick]

Yezzir! Street 2 was the livest one!

[@4ntwi]

What about the mobile port? It has updated rosters.

[@ericwalsh4881]

last time i was this early 2k was still making football games and 2k struck a deal with the NFL in this alternate universe.

[@mikerivera373]

@War Productions I mean, it’s partly because it’s EA. The NBA2k games have a lot of microtransactions, yes, but the games are still way better than Madden

[@mikerivera373]

@War Productions Live hasn’t been real competition since like 2014. Nobody gives a shit about it anymore aside from a few people, which is why 2k can get away with all the microtransactions. It’s not the same as the Madden vs 2k debate during the early 2000s

[@cydonia3420]

Dude, your vids are awesome. Great voice and delivery. Content is superb. Keep it up!

[@SneakersFootball]

I wish 2k would add a “jam” mode

[@toploc7520]

2k would take massive Ws if they did that

[@Blackstreet86]

Bruh, KZbin premium shouldn't have commercials.

[@EZR725]

Just like Spotify. 60% of they commercials are for themselves

[@DazRinko]

I can tell you take your time on these videos! I literally plan out time to watch em when you drop em. Keep going bro! 🙌🏾

[@StateoftheFranchiseSports]

We're having a national change shortage and SoftDrink is talking about a billion dollars in quarters! So tone deaf 🤣....his vids are on 🔥🏀 as always

[@sergiolandz6056]

This game will never get old. Its always fun to play, from the first time i put a quarter in the arcade to loading up the roms, i always get the same lvl of fun.

[@goodreverend2k1]

It was great, But i always go back to Lakers vs Celtics and the NBA Playoffs.

[@stug3719]

I'm more of a Bulls vs Lakers and the NBA Playoffs person myself, but I'm pretty sure both games were nearly identical. Good to see another old-schooler here though.

[@toploc7520]

I’ve always loved the arcade style in sports games especially basketball , glad this got recommended to me 👌🏼

[@SonOfSkyrim22]

NBA Jam On Fire Edition on 360 was excellent.

[@KyreeseAlford1999]

Man, watching this video again makes me want to play NBA JAM (Arcade, SNES, Genesis, Game Gear), NBA JAM Tournament Edition (Arcade, SNES, Genesis, 32X, SEGA CD, Atari Jaguar, PS1, Game Gear), NBA Hangtime (Arcade, N64, PS1), NBA Maximum Hangtime (Arcade), NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC (Arcade, N64, PS1, Dreamcast), NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC Gold Edition (Arcade), NBA Hoopz (PS1, Dreamcast, PS2), NBA JAM 2004 (PS2, OG XBOX), NBA Ballers (PS2, XBOX), NBA Ballers: Phenom (PS2, OG XBOX) NBA JAM 2010 (Wii, PS3, Xbox 360), NBA JAM: On Fire Edition (Xbox 360 via XBLA) NBA JAM Legends: On Fire Edition Mod (PS3), NBA Playgrounds (PC via Steam) all on my Steam Deck and NBA Playgrounds 2 on my Nintendo Switch OLED and Steam Deck! I really miss the old days when we had arcade style games on consoles that were so much FUN and ENTERTAINING when we were getting sick and tired of the simulation style basketball games! At least there’s RoboDunk that I haven’t played yet which is NBA JAM but with robots and it’s a roguelike!

[@Jedavis05]

Great videos bro 👍🏾👍🏾. Keep it up.

[@Ziko577]

There's an active hacking scene for NBA Jam now as well. There's hacks that update rosters, add quality of life changes, and more. It's ridiculous how big it is and goes to show that this game really impacted the lives of many people.

[@digable_celestial_dwarfs6778]

In my first apartment I had 4 roommates. We fucking HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATED each other. It was a constant loop of passive aggression, disrespect, and frustration. We put all that aside for NBA Jam. Those all night 4 man tournaments were some of the most fun I've ever had in my life.

[@Twigg4075]

1) I love the EA NBA Jam games. I still remember when the first one came out on disc. It was $30 or $40 I believe and people lost their minds. I didn't get it considering the original console versions were $50. 2) Do you have any info on how many Jam cabinets Arcade 1Up has sold? I have one and it;'s awesome.

[@coldsnap5742]

I would be perfectly okay if 2K's NFL game ends up like this. Sadly, you know microtransactions will be shoved in. By the way, I'm surprised you didn't talk about "the ghost of Drazen Petrovic."

[@alirohani2687]

Isn’t an arcade just a full on micro transaction 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@mikerivera373]

I doubt that. They’re trying to eventually get the NFL sim license, and the only way they get that is through making games that everyone prefers to Madden

[@coldsnap5742]

@@alirohani2687 Nice try. With arcade games, you can either pay a little a bit at a time to play (the arcade machine), or you could pay a larger fee upfront and never have to pay for anything else in the game ever again (the home version). Today, you pay upfront at the store and STILL don't get everything. I want to end that scam.

[@cuer9949]

@@coldsnap5742 this comment needs to be pinned.

[@wbl12]

NBA Showtime (1999-2000) was the best out of the series

[@jduke93]

It’s a good day when SDTV posts a new video

[@Birdman32]

Played the hell outta these games as a kid. Hella fun. Straight up classics

[@KyreeseAlford1999]

I love NBA JAM Tournament Edition (PS1 via PSP), NBA Hangtime (PS1), NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC (PS1, Dreamcast), NBA Hoopz (PS1, Dreamcast, PS2), NBA JAM 2004 (PS2), NBA Ballers (PS2, XBOX), NBA Ballers: Phenom (PS2) NBA JAM 2010 (Xbox 360), NBA JAM: On Fire Edition (Xbox 360) and NBA Playgrounds 2 (Nintendo Switch) and I don’t care what anyone says about those games. I will love them all to death. Even though NBA Hoopz, NBA JAM 2004, NBA Ballers and NBA Ballers: Phenom are not the same as NBA JAM and NBA JAM Tournament Edition from the past. But NBA JAM 2010 and NBA JAM: On Fire Edition are the same as NBA JAM and NBA JAM Tournament Edition but they have so many similarities and differences that make them unique and fun in long run in my opinion!

[@AfG_313]

NBA Courtside was awesome too back in late 90s I think

[@raishauntanner4206]

Big W SDTV. I still have the mobile version on my iPad and I’ll occasionally ball out with James Harden and Dwight Howard

[@chazchaos7897]

Damn that’s what I call nostalgia

[@slashismyhommie8182]

LBJ and AD on current rosters would be unbeatable, maybe the Nets with KD and Kyrie would be a close second...but let's be honest, neither of those two can even stay on the court.

[@raishauntanner4206]

SLASHISMYHOMMIE 818 but in NBA Jam tho...

[@TyTheTurtle]

The hair is looking good as new SD. 👍

[@WatThizzIt510]

NBA jam on fire edition is great. Still play with my friends til this day. Would love an update

[@Drummer8282]

Max Hangtime was the best version of the game. I don’t know how anyone who has played both would pick OG NBA Jam over Max Hangtime.

[@ericperry27]

My twin sister hates sports games. But she played NBA JAM on Genesis! Her team was the Knicks lol I was always the Blazers. Clyde n Porter

[@Darkkent83]

The only sports game I'll play! This video was 🔥🔥🔥🔥 NBA JAM is the 🐐! #bringitback

[@BigSnax88]

I still play it to this day

[@NSx2006]

Who else would beg their mom to get NBA Jam game on their phone

[@ericperry27]

In the zone, showtime and Hangtime were great too

[@ight.87]

I used to play this game so much, I still play it sometimes on my phone

[@brycekamin]

Can u make a video on nhl hitz please!? I miss that game :(

[@MSDOSProject]

NBA Jam is one of the reasons I own a SNES. Still super fun.

[@shtcoinmaxi1367]

I am so used to this guy doing some well deserved madden bashing, this is a good change of pace

[@phillykid512]

Arch Rivals, from what I can remember, started the over the top arcade style basketball games.

[@abelleyva3204]

Fun fact: the creators of the original game were Pistons fans and they got their revenge against Chicago in this game. If you play Pistons vs Bulls, the Bulls will miss more shots than usual

[@paulk6399]

Also, I highly recommend everyone to search for The uncensored commentary for NBA Jam Childhood breaking

[@blakelip3]

SOFTDRINKTV WHAT HAPPENED TO MIDWAY VIDEO NEXT PLEASE

[@mikemoe60]

Favorite game of all time

[@twwiinn504]

2003 and 2010 nba jam my favorite ones the nostalgia

[@jaheimmoultrie7584]

I wanna see a documentary of nhl hitz series.

[@jordandutra9029]

My brother had the NBA Jam games since then. I was a baby when my brother had the first one and Tournament edition on the SNES. NBA Jam was one of the first games I ever saw. And later on, I got NBA Jam on the Wii just to play it. I actually wouldn't mind if EA Sports could reboot the series again for a new generation.

[@kevinpayton2664]

I loved NBA Jam. Also I played Archrivals on NES.

[@UltraVolt45]

Love this game still today

[@Tech215Studios]

Bro, I always forget your real name, but your a phenomenal story teller. Some of your Madden Videos are some of the best videos ever. Just keep doing what your doing and fuck all the idiots on social media. When people criticize my videos, I always look at there critique's as honest as I can then I thank them for there support. Then they end up subbing to my channel.(almost at 1K, so close) Anyway bro your a beast. Keep up the amazing work, we all got your back bro!!!

[@marcjohn9404]

The original NBA Jam was great, but I honestly think NBA Jam 2010 was the best one. It adds so much extra, memorable content and it maintains the awesome, over the top vibes of the original. Same announcer as the original game, but he has way more memorable lines.

[@NBWDOUGHBOY]

Nothing but, Good work always.

[@iqbalali5334]

This was a fun game. Nostalgic. :)

[@stuffingtonjfluffypantsiii]

I miss the days when you could do all kinds of crazy things in sports games. I don't like the true to life simulation games. I don't even like basketball but love this game. They had an NBA Jaam cabinet at the local bowling alley. Pretty sure I but the bowling alley owner's kid through college with the amount of money I stuck in that thing.

[@markyboy_productions]

I was hoping they created a version when my SuperSonics played last, in 2008.

[@302wrestling8]

The best NBA jam version to play is NBA jam TE arcade version 2.0 it has Raiden and the mortal Kombat characters

[@JECZ23]

A billion dollars in quarters. That's A LOT of quarters!

[@blakelip3]

NFL blitz is a classic to this day I still play it

[@custom-r]

You know, I feel people should check out Pyre or Dunk Lords. I know the former was actually inspired by NBA Jam.

[@chasepressley2408]

You bring the peanut butter and I’LL BRING THE JAM!!😤

[@guitarheroaero3451]

I don't know if you saw but IGN was *relatively* brutal to Madden 21 this year. Would be interested to see your reaction to their review.

[@wadmodderschalton5763]

The Acclaim-developed titles felt more like "NBA Jam but in name only" (1:16, 5:48, 8:56)

[@DZ-lx4iu]

Now i play nba jam on my phone with my ps4 controller when im away from my game.

[@cuer9949]

Same lmmfao

[@jdkbeats]

Can you do the retrospective of the nba street series?

[@anthonypastore8378]

NBA showtime on nbc for Nintendo 64 was pretty much nba jam as iconic as it got loved the game and I never even owned it. Miss that game

[@mymajc]

Are you ever gonna do a video on Nfl blitz?

[@montbrink4700]

This game was my youth

[@CTback]

3:09 "...but muh simulation basketball..."--Ryan Moody, probably

[@osurocks24]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ScottKatz21]

While I dislike your decision to leave social media, especially twitter because I loved your tweets, I respect it and agree with your points, and I think it takes a lot to leave such a big part of our modern day lives, and it shows you won’t back down from what you believe in.

[@osurocks24]

He's back on Twitter now. After him starting #NFLdropEA he decided Twitter is fine now. He did leave the other social media sites though.

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

that 2010 game looks just like the original. ONE OF THE GREAT GAMES OF ALL TIME.. that NBA Playgrounds consept is cool as hell - grindin or paying to get new players.

[@unhaix707]

midway restructured into Netherealm studio, but their only games they release are MK and injustice, great game studio.

[@RyanVentura604]

Bro, I 100% agree with your comments on Twitter.

[@harbonip]

I still play it to this day 👍

[@stevengrvp]

You got to do one on nfl blitz

[@ShutUpBubi]

NBA Ballers deserves more love

[@mjszn5032]

Good video. I think you should probably make a video on ign giving madden a 6 cause I'm surprised

[@Fender178]

I played both NBA Jam and TE on top of NBA Jam 99 on N64. NBA Jam 99 on N64 had both Kevin Harlem and Bill Walton as the announcers and it is a fun version of the game despite it going away from the NBA Jam formula. Yeah NBA Jam released in 2010 looks like a good game. Never played it but I want to.

[@Xion_FTA]

I had it on xboz lowkey my favorite 2k of all time

[@darkchuky01CR]

I would be so happy with a PC version of NBA Jam On fire edition!!!