Play NBA Jam: Tournament Edition Online Free for Arcade.
NBA Jam: Tournament Edition hits different when it boots instantly in your browser. Released in 1994 on the Arcade, this retro classic from Midway, Acclaim Entertainment is ready the second you press start — no downloads, no setup.
It is the first entry in the NBA Jam series, and the third basketball video game released by Midway, after TV Basketball (1974) and Arch Rivals (1989). The gameplay of NBA Jam is based on Arch Rivals, being primarily based around a 2-on-2 basketball game.
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| Action | Keyboard | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| D-Pad Up | ↑ | D-Pad up |
| D-Pad Down | ↓ | D-Pad down |
| D-Pad Left | ← | D-Pad left |
| D-Pad Right | → | D-Pad right |
| B (bottom) | X | Bottom face |
| A (right) | Z | Right face |
| Y (left) | S | Left face |
| X (top) | A | Top face |
| L | Q | Left shoulder |
| R | E | Right shoulder |
| Start | Enter | Start |
| Insert Coin | V | Select |
⭐ Premium members can click any key below to remap this game's controls. Go Premium
| Action | Keyboard | Arcade input |
|---|---|---|
| Move | · · · · | Joystick (8-way) |
| Button 1 | · | Button 1 |
| Button 2 | · | Button 2 |
| Button 3 | · | Button 3 |
| Start | · | Start |
| Insert Coin | · | Select |
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The Story Behind NBA Jam: Tournament Edition
The graphics for the NBA players were created from digitized video footage of several amateur basketball players, including future NBA player Stephen Howard. The Sega Saturn version took longer to develop, in part because of the greater complexity of the hardware, but also because Iguana Entertainment did not have access to the Sega Graphics Library operating system (which was used to facilitate the Saturn versions of Virtua Fighter 2 and Virtua Cop, among other games). According to Turmell, a Detroit Pistons fan, the game was programmed such that the Bulls would miss last-second shots in close games against the Pistons.
The game had a marketing budget of $10 million. The game was written entirely in assembly language. Lead designer and programmer Mark Turmell wanted to develop a game with a wider appeal and decided to mix the digitized graphics of some of Midway's previous titles to create a title similar to Midway's previous basketball game Arch Rivals.
How NBA Jam: Tournament Edition Plays
Players can also enter special codes to unlock hidden players, ranging from US President Bill Clinton to Hugo, the Charlotte Hornets mascot. NBA Jam is a two-on-two basketball video game featuring NBA-licensed teams and digitized likenesses of real players. Gameplay is exaggerated instead of realistic: players can jump extremely high and make slam dunks that defy both human capabilities and the laws of physics.
For example, pressing A five times and right five times on any Genesis controller will activate "Super Clean Floors". This feature causes characters to fall if they run too fast or change direction too quickly. The game contains many Easter eggs, special features, and players activated by initials or button/joystick combinations.
Why Players Still Load It Up
In 2020, as part of their Arcade 1Up line, Tastemakers LLC released a three-fourths-scale replica of the original NBA Jam cabinet featuring emulated versions of the original arcade game, along with Tournament Edition and Hangtime, with newly added online play. An update called NBA Maximum Hangtime was subsequently released for the arcade, and the game was ported to home systems. Loads of hidden tricks and guest appearances make this one an arcade slam dunk." In 1995, Total! ranked the game 8th in its "Top 100 SNES Games".
NBA Jam is a 1993 basketball video game developed and published by Midway for arcades. The 2010 game features a nod to this particular piece of commentary, when the commentator (Kitzrow reprising the role) sometimes exclaims "It's gotta be the shoes!" under similar circumstances. The upbeat, funky music written by Jon Hey was inspired by sports music themes and has been compared to George Clinton's P-Funk All Stars.
NBA Jam: Tournament Edition — Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a controller to play NBA Jam: Tournament Edition?
A gamepad is optional. The keyboard mapping shown on this page works immediately, and plugging in a USB or Bluetooth controller switches the player over on its own.
Who developed NBA Jam: Tournament Edition?
NBA Jam: Tournament Edition was developed by Midway and published by Midway, Acclaim Entertainment.
Where can I buy the original NBA Jam: Tournament Edition?
Scroll to "Other Places You Can Get This Game" beneath the write-up — it lists trusted stores selling official copies.
What console was NBA Jam: Tournament Edition released on?
NBA Jam: Tournament Edition was released for the Arcade in 1994.