An XBLA Game for $50
Fresh off the Wii, EA is bringing NBA Jam to the two upper end consoles. So, after a long hiatus, does this arcade basketball game satisfy your arcade hoops boner?
Truth be known...no.
The game was initially planned as an XBLA release to go along with the retail release of NBA Elite. When Elite got cancelled, they decided to switch it up and make this a full retail product.
The main problem, though, is that they didn't really add anything to the game. It is the same NBA Jam you played years ago...and, to be honest, also got tired of years ago. The game has the depth of a frisbee. When I installed this on my hard drive, I was a bit worried when it was done in a minute. The game is about a 1.3GB install...which is less than several XBLA titles and is easily the smallest 360 game I've ever experienced.
Like classic Jam, it is 2 on 2 arcade hoops where there are no rules outside of goaltending and you can jump well above the rim for slams. You have a litany of unlockable characters and the game is quick and fast-paced.
It's just really dull and to unlock all of the unlockable characters, you must beat the franchise mode 6 different times. And since the games are all similar, except the AI becomes more able to drop you and nail shots at a whim at the later levels, this goes from "fun romp" to "tedious slog" in short order. You can choose some several players of your favorite franchise (Atlanta Hawks in the house) and prepare to undergo several, roughly 5 minute-long games, until you get to face a set of veterans. You then repeat this 6 more times. You then face a final boss. You then have to go back and do this again with 5 other teams.
I spell this out so you can appreciate how much of a grind this nonsense is.
The minigames in the Remix Tour are nice...but are you paying $50 for mini-games? It is, far and away, the best part of the game --- but even these games get old in far too much of a hurry. The lack of penalties for disconnects makes online play (which should be one of the biggest strengths) a baffling weakness.
If this was DLC as originally planned, it'd be one of the better pieces of DLC out there. But since this is a disc-based retail produce at full price, it must be looked at in that vein.
Therefore, I have to say this is one of the most disappointing games of the year for me. I thought this could be fun, but when the biggest upgrade is that the commentary is better, then you have missed the mark...badly.
