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NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC

From Alfawiki
NBA Showtime
Company typeVideo game
IndustryVideo games
Founded1999; 27 years ago (1999)
FounderMidway
ProductsNBA Showtime

NBA Showtime is a basketball arcade game launched by Midway in 1999, showcasing NBA teams and athletes. Inspired by NBC's NBA broadcasts, its title is derived from NBC's NBA pregame show. Serving as the follow-up to Midway’s NBA Hangtime and NBA Jam, it marks the series' initial use of fully 3-D polygonal graphics alongside authentic team jerseys. Showtime was also released as part of a dual arcade cabinet combined with NFL Blitz 2000, known as the "SportStation." Midway subsequently introduced NBA Hoopz, a console-exclusive sequel.

Gameplay

Maintaining the arcade-style 2-on-2 gameplay established by NBA Jam and NBA Hangtime, players pick two starters from any NBA franchise for each half. The game introduces personal fouls for shoving, resulting in free throws after repeated infractions. The iconic "on fire" mechanic returns, triggered after three successful shots in a row, which boosts shooting range and defensive skills without any negative effects. The gameplay largely adheres to official NBA regulations. Both the arcade and home editions for Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast accommodate up to four participants.

Although featuring many prominent NBA stars of the period, roster limitations exclude certain players, consistent with earlier titles in the series.

Development

Midway hinted at Showtime within the credits of Maximum Hangtime, teasing a new "third dimension." Tim Kitzrow returned as the announcer, taking over from Neil Funk who voiced NBA Hangtime. Jon Hey was responsible for most of the game's audio and music, except for NBC's "Roundball Rock" composed by John Tesh. The soundtrack was influenced by contemporary hip-hop artists such as 2Pac, Dr. Dre, and Master P.

Continuing a series hallmark, numerous hidden characters are included, featuring Midway employees. The arcade version uniquely incorporates Universal Monsters—Frankenstein's monster, Bride of Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Wolf Man, and Creature from the Black Lagoon—which are not accessible in home versions.

The initial arcade edition utilized rosters from the beginning of the 1998–99 NBA season. Console releases contained rosters preceding the 1999–2000 NBA season, followed by a "Gold" arcade update featuring midseason 1999-2000 rosters before the trade deadline.

Reception

The Dreamcast edition received generally positive reviews, whereas the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation versions obtained mixed or average critiques. The Game Boy Color adaptation was met with unfavorable ratings according to review aggregator GameRankings.[1][2][3][4] Doug Trueman of NextGen referred to the N64 version as "NBA Jam 64," commending its faithful arcade-style basketball experience on that platform.[5]

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GRDC
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GRGBC
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GRN64
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GRPS
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NGen
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