NBA Jam Boomshakalaka!

This is the home system translation of the popular arcade hit. It was released for the Sega Genesis in 1994. The game proved to be a smashing success as it combined the fun of basketball and fighting games. It wasn't what you may call a basketball simulation but rather a fun smash mouth sports game. Here is the roster.

The Roster

Eastern conference

Atlanta Hawks - Dominique Wilkins and Stacey Augmon

Analysis: This is a nice athletic team. Dominique Wilkins could easily take over games with his scoring prowess. This team however, lacks size and three-point shooting.

Charlotte Hornets - Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning

Analysis: This was one of the best tandems in the early nineties. Though undersized, this duo could brutalize you with their power down low. Alonzo Mourning is one of the best shot blockers and rebounders of all time. Larry Johnson is an excellent scoring forward in the Charles Barkley mold. This is a very good defensive tandem. They lack three-point shooting though.

Chicago Bulls - Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant

Analysis: Michael Jordan was not included due to licensing issues. I wish he was! The duo of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen would be devastating! Nevertheless we get the duo of Horace and Scottie. Both play good defense, could rebound and could score. Scottie is just more versatile though and could also score from rainbow territory. Horace though could mostly shoot fifteen footers and score down low. This is a formidable team nevertheless.

Cleveland Cavaliers - Mark Price and Brad Daugherty

Analysis: This is a case of a classic big man - small man combination. Mark Price is an excellent jump shooter and distributor. Brad Daugherty is an excellent post scorer. Mark does not defend well however.

Detroit Pistons - Isaiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer

Analysis: These are the original "bad boys" of Detroit. Isaiah is a brilliant point guard and scorer and Bill Laimbeer is an enforcer down low. This tandem won two championships and it is easy to see why.

Indiana Pacers - Reggie Miller and Derrick McKey

Analysis: I would have went with a pairing of Reggie Miller and Rik Smits. This pairing puts together one of the best marksmen in Reggie Miller with a decent role player in Derrick McKey. Reggie Miller is one of the best three-point shooters of all time and could score anytime. This gives you a tremendous offensive punch. This team however does not do very well in defense and McKey's stats are not spectacular.

Milwaukee Bucks - Brad Lohaus and Blue Edwards

Analysis: This isn't a very good team. These are two starters who would be role players in better teams. Their stats are not that flashy either.

Miami Heat - Rony Seikaly and Harold Miner

Analysis: Anybody remember Baby Jordan? Well if not then let me tell the story. Harold Miner won back to back slam dunk competitions and was heralded to be the successor to Michael Jordan's throne.

New Jersey Nets - Derrick Coleman and Kenny Anderson

Analysis: This is the combination of number 1 pick Coleman and number 2 pick Anderson. Derrick Coleman is a power forward who had a very good shooting touch. Kenny Anderson was an excellent point guard who has good passing skills and was a premier point guard during his heyday and even averaged a near double double in assists and points.

New York Knicks - Patrick Ewing and John Starks

Analysis: This is one of the best duos in the game. On one side you have Patrick Ewing, one of the 50 greatest players of all time. He could score, rebound and block shots. On another side you have John Starks who is a marksman from the outside.

Orlando Magic - Nick Anderson and Scott Skiles

Analysis: This is a finesse tandem that will live and die on three pointers and jumpshots. This team is however weak on defense and inside scoring. This makes me wish for a Shaq and Penny tandem. Scott Skiles by the way is now coaching the Milwaukee Bucks.

Philadelphia 76ers - Clarence Weatherspoon and Jeff Hornacek

Analysis: These are two all star quality players who are very good but not great. Weatherspoon could power inside to score while Hornacek could shoot three-pointers all day. This is a decent inside-outside combination.

Washington Bullets - Tom Gugliotta and Harvey Grant

Analysis: This combines a versatile Tom Gugliotta with Horace's twin brother Harvey. White Tom's stats are above average, Harvey's are not as good as his brother's.

Western conference

Dallas Mavericks - Derek Harper and Jim Jackson

Analysis: Derek Harper is a quality point guard and Jim Jackson is an all-star level scorer. A good offensive team here but not much in terms of size and defense.

Denver Nuggets - Dikembe Mutombo and LaPhonso Ellis

Analysis: Dikembe Mutombo is one of the best defensive players of all time. He could block shots and rebound. Ellis meanwhile is a decent player who could score double figure but does not do much else.

Golden State Warriors - Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin

Analysis: This is two thirds of the Run TMC team which comprised of Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin. Unfortunately, Golden State traded away Mitch for Billy Owens who was pretty good for a few seasons but was eventually traded away as he did not fulfill his potential. Nevertheless the two could drain threes all day and score at will. You would however have problems with rebounding and guarding the opposition.

Houston Rockets - Hakeem Olajuwon and Vernon Maxwell

Analysis: This tandem was instrumental in bringing the championship to Clutch City. Hakeem is everything you want in a big man and more. He could score, rebound, block shots and even swipe the ball. Vernon Maxwell can score and drain threes. This is a good duo and quite hard to beat.

Los Angeles Clippers - Danny Manning and Ron Harper

Analysis: This may be the underachieving Clippers but Danny Manning and Ron Harper were exceptional talents who were curtailed by injuries. There is plenty of scoring in Clipperland.

Los Angeles Lakers - Vlade Divac and James Worthy

Analysis: While this team up may not be the best jump shooting or three point shooting tandem, it is quite a force inside. You have Vlade divac, one of the best passing big men and James Worthy, one of the best power forwards ever.

Minnesota Timberwolves - Christian Laettner and Chuck Person

Analysis: This pairing is a combination of two small/power forwards. Chuck can shoot and nail threes. Christian could score as well. You had better outscore the competition if you hope to win.

Phoenix Suns - Dan Majerle and Kevin Johnson

Analysis: Kevin Johnson is an elite point guard who could score and "Thunder Dan" could shoot threes as well as dunk. Nice offensive combo there.

Portland Trail Blazers - Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter

Analysis: You might remember Terry as the ill-fated Suns coach but a more than a decade ago ha was a point guard for Western Conference powerhouse Portland. Add to this Clyde Drexler who in my opinion was one of the best guards in the era along with Michael Jordan and Mitch Richmond. The tandem's strength is in the shooting and make sure you shoot the lights out.

Sacramento Kings - Wayman Tisdale and Mitch Richmond

Analysis: This is a nice scoring duo. Wayman could score down low and Mitch Richmond could light it up from anywhere.

San Antonio Spurs - David Robinson and Sean Elliott

Analysis: this is a good inside and outside combination. Robinson patrols the paint while Elliot is free to snipe it from outside.

Seattle SuperSonics - Shawn Kemp and Detlef SchrempfAnalysis: Before Vince Carter there was Shawn Kemp. He was a lean mean power forward who was athletic and talented. Alonside him is Dirk Nowitzki er I mean Detlef Schrempf who is the Jordan era version of the Wunderkind.

Utah Jazz - Karl Malone and John Stockton

Analysis: this has to rank as among the best duos in the game and in NBA history. John Stockton could make crisp passes and has excellent ball handling skills. He could also shoot the three. Karl Malone is the best power forward of all time. He could muscle up anybody in the paint.

The Gameplay

The game consists mostly of the same mechanics as in street ball. On offense you have the choice of driving in the lane for a lay up or dunk. You could also shoot a mid range jumper or bomb away with three pointers. If you're covered then its best to pass to an open teammate. On defense you could steal the ball and block shots. You could also shove your opponent repeatedly. You also have a turbo button which increases your speed.

Once you make three consecutive shots without the opponent scoring you would be on fire and could shoot better and have more amazing dunks. The dunks here defy the laws of gravity and physics. You would also have unlimited turbo.The goal of the game is to beat all teams so that

There are plenty of "easter eggs" or secrets in the game. I wouldn't spoil the fun and let you discover these for yourself.

The Verdict

The game is the epitome of basket brawl and reminds me of the style of play of the Patrick Ewing Knicks and the Isaiah Thomas Pistons. Fans of the Knicks and Heat Brawl and the Pistons and Pacers brawl would love this one.The game is in no way a simulation of professional basketball but rather more of a parody of the game. It is very comedic and engaging to play.

Usually I go with the Indiana Pacers because of Reggie Millers' unparalleled shooting ability and the Utah Jazz because of John Stockton and Karl Malone. The inside game of Karl Malone is perfectly complimented with the passing ability and range of John Stockton.This game is however dated and all of the players here are retired from actively playing in the NBA. They are still active however in other capacities such as coaching or broadcasting. Younger people might not recognize many of the names here.

I would recommend this to fans of arcade style games and basketball enthusiasts. This is an old game but an excellent one.

© TheChosen1. Review is published in other sites under the same name

-This has previously been published in ciao and Dooyoo
-Information in this article has been derived from Wikipedia, NBA.com and from watching NBA games.