NBA Extreme Jam

Acclaim's NBA Jam was one of the most enjoyable and intense arcade basketball games to ever hit the home systems. When they released their Tournament Edition, interest in the game soared. And yet, even with the success of these two titles, Acclaim felt that it was time for a change. So they went back to the drawing board and came up with NBA Jam Extreme Sporting a completely new game engine developed from the ground up, Jam Extreme features motion-captured players fully rendered in three dimensions, with scanned images of real NBA players mapped onto the characters' heads so that they are easily recognizable. The developers used Juwann Howard for their motion-capture sessions in order to give the game that true NBA feel. It is the implementation of the motion-capture data that really makes the difference, however, and Acclaim didn't hold back on this front. From swinging on the rim to every little victory dance, the players look and act just like real NBA stars.

Like other versions of NBA Jam, Extreme offers competition for up to four players. In addition, the PC version of this game will be networkable, so that folks around the office will be able to get together for a quick game of b-ball between important meetings and power lunches. Four players will also be able to play with a multitap on the PlayStation, as well.

Although this game does not feature a full five-on-five squad, it does include over 170 real NBA players, six per team. (Players are even able to choose the color of Rodman's hair!) Furthermore, like earlier versions of NBA Jam, there are tons of secret players, including would-be presidential teams of Clinton and Gore; Dole and Kemp. Also included are a lot of other secret players, like game programmers and video game magazine editors.

With the success of the previous NBA Jam titles, Jam Extreme is sure to arouse a great deal of interest based on the name alone. But this title will also offer a completely new game engine, so that even the most seasoned players will have something new to find in this game. Fans of intense arcade basketball will want to keep their eyes on the shelves of their local video store when Jam Extreme hits late this fall. This is definitely one to check out.

Slammin' and jammin' return to the PlayStation in a big way with this good-looking arcade conversion. Extreme sets you up for four-player two-on-two dunkathons with all the NBA teams and most of the pro stars. New to the home Jam experience is the Extreme button, a high-speed feature from the arcade game that enables you to shift players into an extra gear. The version we tested played fast and smooth, but the rosters were only updated to last April; hopefully Acclaim will be able to incorporate the summer's big Phoenix/Houston trade and other preseason roster moves.

An updated version of the slaminfested hoops classic is back in NBA Jam Extreme.

Hit the hardwood with a roster of five players, which includes some of today's hottest stars and high-impact rookies. All the classic Jam features are here, including a new polygonal look and an Extreme button that enables your players to dive for the ball or perform even crazier dunks. The controls fall on the tricky side, though.

The graphics arc clear and colorful, while the annoying crowd chants drag down Marv Albert's cool commentary.

While not as fun as NBA Hang Time. Extreme still delivers the rock with enough authority to earn a spot in the playoffs.