de·fin·i·tive|ver·sion™

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//THE DEFINITIVE VERSION™ OF//

====== NBA JAM & NBA JAM TE ====== 
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Generating over one billion dollars in arcades alone, NBA Jam was a certified hit. It built on the foundation of games like Arch Rivals, but its unique over the top dunks, paired with announcer Tim Kitzrow's legendary commentary kept players coming back for more. Not to mention the star power generated by its NBA license didn't hurt.

Midway made sure to capitalize on this by quickly releasing an updated version of the game called NBA Jam Tournament Edition which featured new rosters and other numerous additions.

This article will feature info from both games but focus on Tournament Edition since it keeps the core graphics and gameplay from NBA Jam, but is the more complete experience.

"Bang-a-rang!"

Oops, I mean "Boomshakalaka!"

====== RELEASES ======

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==== GENESIS - 1995 ====

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|**PROS:** | Solid gameplay, least buggy experience.|
|**CONS:** | Can't change weapons. Lower resolution graphics [320x224]|
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==== SNES - 1995 ====

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|**PROS:** | |
|**CONS:** | |
|**NOTES** | |
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==== SEGA SATURN - 1996 ====

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|**PROS:** | Higher res graphics, new or upgraded parallax backgrounds, far batter audio especially the soundtrack. Additional voice clips.|
|**CONS:** | Very strange 3D rendered title cards between levels.|
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==== PLAYSTATION - 1996 ====

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|**PROS:** | Slightly higher soundtrack bitrate.|
|**CONS:** | Same issues, and longer load times than the Saturn version.|
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==== DOS - 1996 ====

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|**PROS:** | Uncompressed audio, and highest resolution graphics. Original level title cards.|
|**CONS:** | Missing level "Lorenzo's Soil"|
|**NOTES** | Although the graphics have been upgraded the new backgrounds from the disc versions were not implemented.|
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==== GAME BOY ADVANCE - 2002 ====

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<WRAP baretable>
|**PROS:** | Possibly none?|
|**CONS:** | Poor graphics and audio, glitches and bugs throughout. Seemingly unfinished.|
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==== DIGITAL - 20XX ====

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|**NOTES** | These are simply emulators playing other versions of the game depending on the platform.|
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==== GAME BOY ADVANCE - 2002 ====

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<WRAP baretable>
|**PROS:** | Possibly none?|
|**CONS:** | Poor graphics and audio, glitches and bugs throughout. Seemingly unfinished.|
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==== DIGITAL - 20XX ====

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<WRAP baretable>
|**NOTES** | These are simply emulators playing other versions of the game depending on the platform.|
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==== GAME BOY ADVANCE - 2002 ====

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<WRAP baretable>
|**PROS:** | Possibly none?|
|**CONS:** | Poor graphics and audio, glitches and bugs throughout. Seemingly unfinished.|
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==== DIGITAL - 20XX ====

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<WRAP img_fill>{{ video_games:nba_jam_te_cover_32x.jpg?direct |}}</WRAP>

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<WRAP baretable>
|**NOTES** | These are simply emulators playing other versions of the game depending on the platform.|
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==== GAME BOY ADVANCE - 2002 ====

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<WRAP baretable>
|**PROS:** | Possibly none?|
|**CONS:** | Poor graphics and audio, glitches and bugs throughout. Seemingly unfinished.|
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====== NOTABLE DIFFERENCES ======

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==== GRAPHICS ====

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Generic player faces from the Jaguar version.
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====== DEFINITIVE VERSION™ ======

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++++ CLICK HERE TO REVEAL THE DEFINITIVE VERSION |
{{video_games:sega_saturn_logo.png?300&direct}}

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I must say that when revisiting NBA Jam I was surprisingly disappointed. I probably spent over 100 hours playing the Genesis version as a young lad, but testing every platform was borderline unbearable these last few days. I could barely finish a game. I could go on and on, and maybe I will, but I'll just get to the Definitive Version.

One last thing; I'm not saying the entire franchise is bad, just the original Jam, and it's not "bad" it just very clearly shows its age. NBA Hangtime and other releases are still really fun and can be played on much more capable hardware. I also played by myself so an experience with friends is most likely a good time regardless of the game's shortcomings.

If you still must experience this gem for yourself (not recommended) then Sega Saturn is just barely the Definitive Version of NBA Jam. As far as releases go the Jaguar is a great experience and probably has the best gameplay, but without player likeness I'm not even sure you can call it "NBA Jam". It's more like "Basketball Jam". It's way more engaging and entertaining to see Shawn Kemp's face as you deliver a gravity deifying dunk that puts Hakeem Olajuwon on the ground. Also, the practice mode on Jaguar is awesome, and I do recommend that.
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====== SUPPLEMENTAL ======

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==== VIDEOS ====

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{{youtube>Kyk2s4HTPpk?}} \\
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==== CODES, GUIDES, & MORE ====

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[[https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/snes/588512-nba-jam-tournament-edition/cheats|CLICK HERE FOR CHEATS]]\\
[[https://bossfightbooks.com/products/nba-jam-by-reyan-ali?srsltid=AfmBOooZtHpo3BXbd_Br549oIBqA6h8Tn22T7R-CCy-sOHRCBXmUkD1t|NBA JAM: THE BOOK!]]
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=== CITATIONS ===

~~DISCUSSION~~

{{tag>video_games}}