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Sports Jam
Take part in 12 arcade-style events based on eight of the most popular sports to find out if you're the number one sportsman!
Overview
Sports Jam is a sports-themed mini-game collection developed by WOW Entertainment and released by Sega (Company) for arcades (using their Dreamcast (Platform)-based NAOMI GD-ROM hardware) on December 2000.
Similar to Sega's earlier sports games DecAthlete, Winter Heat (Game), and Virtua Athlete 2000 (Game), Sports Jam features a series of simplistic arcade-style sporting events of which players compete, this time based on various sports (including soccer, American football, ice hockey, golf, basketball, baseball, tennis, and cycling). The main game has the player competing in four events to determine if they are "the number one sportsman", while two players can compete against each-other for versus matches.
It later received a home release on the Dreamcast, published by Sega in Japan on April 12, 2001 and by Agetec in North America on July 18, 2001. This version features new arranged versions of single-player and multiplayer modes.
Gameplay
Sports Jam is a single-joystick, two-button game, with each event using the controls in their own way (most of which do not use the second button).
Single-Player
The game's main single-player mode is played in four stages of increasing difficulty, with the first three having players choose from the full roster of events (although some are locked until a later stage, depending on the version) and the fourth and final stage being the toughest version of a choice between one the three previous events. Players attempt to qualify on each event (with failing to do so ending the credit, allowing players to continue and choose a new event). In the Dreamcast version's Arcade Mode, players are limited to 3 continues.
The Dreamcast version includes an arranged version of this, known as Original Mode, with two versions: "DC Original" and "Your Original". Your Original allows players to choose their own selection of events to play through (progressing even if they fail to qualify), while DC Original plays like Arcade Mode with some key differences:
- The game is still played in four events of increasing difficulty, but players can choose from any event for every stage. They can no longer choose the same event in different stages.
- Continuing lowers the game's difficulty, but lowers the amount of stage money earned.
- Players earn medals based on their performance and whether or not they continued, which can be used to unlock bonus features (including alternate character appearances). They can also earn trophies for bragging rights.
In both Arcade and DC Original, players are ranked on each event's leaderboard based on their performance, and earn "prize money" throughout the run based on their performance for the overall "Hall of Fame" leaderboard.
Multiplayer
Players can also play Versus Mode with a second player, in which both players choose one event each and compete in both events in a best-of-three, with the winner staying on their credit.
The Dreamcast version also includes an alternate "VS Games" mode, which allows two players to compete in any series of events (with the option of having the winning player choose the next event).
Events
Shoot Out
Known in the arcade and Japanese versions as "3 Points Shoot Out".
Based on the sport of basketball, Shoot Out follows the rules of NBA's Three-Point Contest and tasks players with scoring free throw baskets with three balls at each of the five positions behind the three-point line, with every third ball scoring double. Controls involve moving the joystick to aim the cursor towards the basket, then pressing the button to shoot.
Players qualify by scoring a certain number of baskets in 60 seconds, and can score bonus points for chaining together successful baskets. In Versus Mode, both players play at their own basket in split-screen and compete to score the most baskets.
The Slugger
Known in the arcade and Japanese versions as "The Great Slugger".
Based on the sport of baseball, The Slugger is similar to the MLB's Home Run Derby in that players bat a series of pitches thrown in an empty field, scoring points for each home run. Controls involve moving the joystick to aim the cursor in the batting window to where the ball ends up, then pressing the button to swing. On a hit, players then tap the button repeatedly to accumulate power.
Players qualify by scoring a certain number of points in 85 seconds, earning points based on where each home run ball ends up (with more points going beyond the Stands and closer to the center).
Touch Down
Known in the arcade and Japanese versions as "Touch Down Derby".
Based on the sport of American football, Touch Down has players racing against their opponent across the field and scoring a touchdown, charging through a blocking sled in the way. Controls involve tapping the button repeatedly for both the running speed and how much "damage" dealt to the sled on each ram.
The game is played in a best-of-three, with the qualification being to win the match, and players earn bonus points based on how quick they break the sled. In Versus Mode, both players race against each other.
Puck Rally
Based on the sport of ice hockey, Puck Rally is a unique take on air hockey (and Pong (Game)), with players rallying a puck against their opponent on a small portion of the rink as they attempt to break four pieces of the opposing player's "wall" and score past them for a goal. Controls involve moving the joystick left and right for movement and aiming and pressing the button to rally.
Players qualify by scoring the goal, and earn bonus points for breaking more of the opponent's wall. In Versus Mode, both players compete against each other in split-screen.
Computer Receive
Based on the sport of tennis, Computer Receive has players returning volleys at floating panels on the court (several of which require multiple hits to clear). Controls involve moving the joystick in six directions to aim (with the panel located in one of the six directions), and pressing the button to swing the racket.
Players qualify by hitting a certain number of panels in 70 seconds, and can score bonus points by fully clearing groups of panels and then making one more cinematic return as a "Smash Chance". In Versus Mode, both players are on the court and take turns rallying and compete to hit the most panels (with a panel granting bonus points if the opponent fails to hit a panel on their rally).
Long Shoot
Based on the sport of soccer, Long Shoot has players attempting to score a series of free kicks, curving the ball past the opposing players. Controls involve tapping the button twice, one to determine the aim of the kick, and one to determine the ball's spin.
Players qualify by scoring a certain number of goals from their five kicks, and can score bonus points by hitting special targets with the ball. In Versus Mode, both players take turns on each of their kicks, and compete to score the most points.
Hole in One
Known in the arcade and Japanese versions as "Near-pin Contest".
Based on the sport of golf, Hole in One has players attempting to land three swings close to the pin from the tee. Controls involve using the joystick to change direction (requiring players to read the wind via the flag), then pressing the button twice: one to start the swing, and one to lock-in the power of the swing (through a moving power meter). While in the swing motion, the joystick can be moved to control ball spin.
Players qualify by landing within a certain distance in either of their three swings, and can earn bonus points by collecting coins and by landing very close to the pin. In Versus Mode, both players take turns on each of their swings, and compete to have either of their balls closest to the pin.
The Kicker
Based on the sport of American football, The Kicker has players attempting to make field goal kicks from multiple angles and distances. Controls involve two button presses: one to determine the kick's timing and one to determine the kick's accuracy.
Players qualify by scoring a certain amount of goals from their five kicks, and can earn bonus points for hitting special targets with the ball. In Versus Mode, both players play at their own goals in split-screen and compete to score the most goals.
Fastest Sprinter
Based on the sport of track cycling, Fastest Sprinter has players racing against their opponent in a two-lap race along the track, attempting to maintain proper speed and stamina before giving it all at the final stretch. Controls involve tapping the button repeatedly to pick up and maintain speed, although tapping too fast drains the stamina bar.
Players qualify by winning the race, and can earn bonus points for maintaining a lead. In Versus Mode, both players race against each other.
Hardest Save
In Arcade Mode, this event is locked for selection until a later stage.
Based on the sport of ice hockey, Hardest Save has players defending their goal as a goalie from a series of score attempts. The only event to use both buttons, its controls involve moving the joystick left and right to determine direction and using the left button for lower saves and the right button for upper saves.
Players qualify by scoring a certain amount of saves in 60 seconds, and can score bonus points for chaining together successful saves. In Versus Mode, both players play at their own goal in split-screen and compete to score the most saves.
Putting Match
Known in the arcade and Japanese versions as "Putter Match". In Arcade Mode, this event is locked for selection until a later stage.
Based on the sport of golf, Putting Match has players attempting to putt from a long distance on the green. Controls involve using the joystick to change direction (requiring players to read the green via the grid), then pressing the button twice: one to start the swing, and one to lock-in the power of the swing (through a moving power meter).
Players qualify by landing a certain amount of cup-ins in 48 seconds, and can earn bonus points for collecting coins and for single-shot cup-ins.
Direct Ace
In Arcade Mode, this event is locked for selection until a later stage.
Based on the sport of soccer, Direct Ace has players attempting to score from corner kicks, with bonus points for more spectacular goals. Controls involve using the joystick to aim the ball at each of the nine parts of the goal and pressing the button to kick.
Players qualify scoring a certain amount of points with their five kicks, and earn bonus points based on how fast they kick the ball and by hitting targets with the ball.
Branding
The game features licensed branding with both Swatch and Adidas.
Similar Games
- Name
- Sports Jam
- Release Date
- December 2000
- Platform
- Dreamcast (Platform)
Arcade (Platform) - Developer
- Publisher
- Genre
- Sports (Genre)