NBA Jam (Genesis) vs. NBA Jam T.E. (Genesis)

[Baloo]

OK, I've had NBA Jam for years now for Sega Genesis, and it still is one of my favorite games for the system. I've played NBA Jam T.E. on an emulator, but it doesn't seem all that good. I was thinking about getting it, but I'm not sure. What makes NBA Jam T.E. better than NBA Jam, if it even is better than NBA Jam? And should I buy it?

[17daysolderthannes]

I don't like T.E. better either.

Some things are cool like power ups in the option menu like "hot spots" that allow you to shoot from a certain spot and score more points, like 8 points instead of 2 for example. At the same time, they introduced a way more complicated stat system and injuries which makes it too sim-like.

If you want a sequel to NBA JAM, pick up NBA Hangtime on the Genesis or NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC for N64/PSX/Dreamcast. Midway lost the NBA JAM name after T.E. so all NBA JAMs made after that are NBA JAM in name only. There is also a college themed version called "College Slam." Check the wikipedia entry for more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nba_jam

BTW, you should know that there are 2 versions of NBA JAM for most systems: ones with and ones without Charles Barkley for the Suns. As far as I know, it was never disclosed how many copies were made with Barkley before they lost his license when he signed to make Barkley Shut Up and Jam. I have a Barkley copy of the Genesis and Game Gear and I almost always play as him.

I'm actually a pretty big NBA JAM nut, I even bought a real arcade marquee like this one:

[The Sports Guy]

I grew up with T.E., so I choose T.E..

It is basically the same game with new doodads like hotspots, and the cool items you can get. NBA Jam is pure basketball goodness, but T.E. adds on more, at least on the genesis. I am sure that the arcade version of the original is better. What I want to know is if the Sega CD (original) and 32X versions (TE) are good or not and how the halftime show looks on the CD one.

College Slam is also a good game, if it is a little bit more wacky than NBA Jam TE.

[Baloo]

I don't like T.E. better either.

Some things are cool like power ups in the option menu like "hot spots" that allow you to shoot from a certain spot and score more points, like 8 points instead of 2 for example. At the same time, they introduced a way more complicated stat system and injuries which makes it too sim-like.

If you want a sequel to NBA JAM, pick up NBA Hangtime on the Genesis or NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC for N64/PSX/Dreamcast. Midway lost the NBA JAM name after T.E. so all NBA JAMs made after that are NBA JAM in name only. There is also a college themed version called "College Slam." Check the wikipedia entry for more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nba_jam

BTW, you should know that there are 2 versions of NBA JAM for most systems: ones with and ones without Charles Barkley for the Suns. As far as I know, it was never disclosed how many copies were made with Barkley before they lost his license when he signed to make Barkley Shut Up and Jam. I have a Barkley copy of the Genesis and Game Gear and I almost always play as him.

I'm actually a pretty big NBA JAM nut, I even bought a real arcade marquee like this one:

Yeah, I really like NBA Jam as well. I also have the Barkley version of NBA Jam. I also almost always play as him, he's one of the more famous people in the game, next to Pippin, Grant, and Scott Skiles.

Yeah, the stats kind of confused me as well. What do injuries exactly do anyway? And I'll look into NBA Hangtime, sounds pretty cool.

[Alvatron]

The injuries in NBA Jam TE make the players move slower and slower. If a player has a high injury rating, sit them out for a quarter and the will be healthy again.

Sega CD Jam has the Halftime Report with several different FMV highlights, Jam TE for the 32x does not have the Halftime Report-no FMV highlights.

Jam TE has a Tournament Mode that can be turned on. With it all power-up icons and hotspots are removed. Also computer assistance is disabled. However, your players can still be injured.

I agree with 17days. If you enjoyed regular Jam instead of TE, find a copy of Hang Time right now. It's that good on the Genny, you will not be dissapointed.

[Aarzak]

Yeah, Hangtime was a much bigger jump from Jam than T.E was. If anything, get the 32X version of T.E, which has much better graphics and sound than the 16-Bit versions. It's probably the best playing version of Jam T.E, as the 32-Bit versions (which were virtually arcade perfect) had bothersome load times.

[Baloo]

Yeah, Hangtime was a much bigger jump from Jam than T.E was. If anything, get the 32X version of T.E, which has much better graphics and sound than the 16-Bit versions. It's probably the best playing version of Jam T.E, as the 32-Bit versions (which were virtually arcade perfect) had bothersome load times.

Don't have 32x or Saturn or Playstation, was thinking about getting 32x and/or Sega-CD though. Also was thinking about getting NBA Jam for Sega CD. Which one should I get, 32x or Sega CD? I have a few games for Sega CD, but 32x looks attractive as well.

And just looked on eBay for Hangtime, no luck there. But I did try it on a ROM, and it's pretty good.

[NeoVamp]

I love NBA Jam and T.E.
to me Tournament Edition feels like a heavy upgrade but still the same fun game,
so its T.E. all the time for me, regular NBA Jam hardly gets any play at all.

I also have the 32X version of T.E. but i haven't played it yet because i still need to mod my 32X to output 60hz.

... I just hope NBA Jam 32X isn't pal optimized


But yes great games, T.E. also has tons more secret players,
i loved playing as the mascots back in the day.

That reminds me, i need to restart work on that supergun so i can play my arcade pcb's of NBA Jam & T.E.

[Alvatron]

NBA Jam on Sega CD has Halftime Report with more FMV's, more speech, excellent CD Music, and updated player roster over Jam on Genny. Downside is the load times which are comparable with Jam TE on PSX. Graphics are no different from the Genny version.

Jam TE on 32X has better graphics, scaling players, larger players, more speech and, no load times. Downside is no Halftime Report-no FMV's, and inferior music (IMHO).

[Baloo]

NBA Jam on Sega CD has Halftime Report with more FMV's, more speech, excellent CD Music, and updated player roster over Jam on Genny. Downside is the load times which are comparable with Jam TE on PSX. Graphics are no different from the Genny version.

Jam TE on 32X has better graphics, scaling players, larger players, more speech and, no load times. Downside is no Halftime Report-no FMV's, and inferior music (IMHO).

Hmm, I might just get both. Maybe Sega-CD first, since I actually have games for it.

Thanks for telling me the Pros/Cons.

[Alvatron]

No problem. NBA Jam for the Sega CD shouldn't set you back too much. I picked up my copy for $4 new in box several years ago. 32X Jam TE only cost me $6 with shipping complete in box off of Ebay several years ago.

Keep looking for Hang Time on Ebay-it shows up from time to time. I won an action for it a few weeks ago for $8 complete in box including shipping. Well worth the price, and it not that hard to find.

[17daysolderthannes]

Don't have 32x or Saturn or Playstation, was thinking about getting 32x and/or Sega-CD though. Also was thinking about getting NBA Jam for Sega CD. Which one should I get, 32x or Sega CD? I have a few games for Sega CD, but 32x looks attractive as well.

And just looked on eBay for Hangtime, no luck there. But I did try it on a ROM, and it's pretty good.

first of all:

Try searching for both NBA Hangtime and NBA Hang Time (1 word and 2 words)

http://www.amazon.com/NBA-Hang-Time/...7347408&sr=1-3

you can get it SEALED for just over $10 shipped.

I don't really recommend the Sega CD version of NBA JAM because the load times are more than they should be and there isn't enough "upgraded" about it to merit a purchase. I would take the Genesis version with Barkley over the Sega CD version with Majerle any day.

I also don't care much for the 32X version of T.E., maybe its because the heads have that oversized bobble head aesthetic.

I think the best route would be (in order of priority):

NBA JAM Arcade (in MAME)
NBA JAM w/ Barkley (Genesis)
NBA Hang Time (Genesis)
NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC (Dreamcast)

[Alvatron]

I agree 17days. If I hadn't found Jam Sega Cd brand new in shrinkwrap for $4 at a local flea market I would have just bought the Genny version. Like I said though, the load times are comparable with the PSX version.(I own both, I have compared them.).

I prefer the 32X version because it doesn't have the load times the other 32-bit versions have. All of the 32-bit versions have the bobble head problem.

Like we both have mentioned, get NBA Hang Time for Genny now, Baloo you will not be dissapointed.

[j_factor]

Does anyone know how the Sega CD version of Hang Time compares? I know it has the ESPN license.

[celticsfan]

It's the same in name only...definitely not anything like the NBA Jam series.