When a developer brings back a classic franchise in what is, essentially, a reboot, there is always cause for simultaneous excitement and concern. While there is a lot that could go wrong with reviving a classic franchise in a different time (e.g. Duke Nukem Forever), there is always that small chance that the development team, which is sure to look completely different than the original group that put out the series, will get it right (see: Mortal Kombat).

NBA Jam’s charm and enjoyment always came from its simplicity and approachability. In the past few console generations, the series just started trying to do too much, and the result was an overwhelming, over-complicated, and unapproachable title that strayed from what made the franchise great in the first place. In 2003, the final NBA Jam title was put out by Acclaim and Midway to mediocre reviews. It was assumed the franchise was dead in the water.

“He’s on fire!”

Then, seven years later, EA Sports acquired the franchise and released a reboot on the Wii simply known as NBA Jam. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game were originally intended as incentive for buying NBA Elite 11, but when the game was canceled due to quality concerns, NBA Jam was released as a full retail title on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game received praise from many outlets, with the main concern criticisms coming from those thinking that there wasn’t enough content to warrant a full retail release on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Now, EA Sports has decided to re-release 2010′s NBA Jam as a digital title on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade with new features, new rosters, and an expanded list of modes. The goal is to bundle up the definitive version of NBA Jam into one affordable,  accessible digital download. Without a doubt in my mind, I can say that EA Sports was incredibly successful in that regard.

For those who didn’t play the original 2010 game, NBA Jam: On Fire Edition plays just like its predecessor, which is similar to that of the releases of the 1990s. The simple button layout is one that anybody that has held a controller and watched basketball before can pick up, but the strategy takes decidedly longer to master. Through the usage of as few buttons as possible, EA Sports has successfully upheld the original approachability of the franchise.

It’s tougher to play as someone who has grown accustomed to more complex sports titles such as Madden NFL 12 or the NBA 2K series. In fact, I’ll often find myself using button schemes of the NBA 2K franchise in NBA Jam, causing some very unwanted behavior. It’s not the fault of EA Sports, but definitely something that takes some getting used to over the course of the first few games played.

The Heat just can't catch a break... now, even Obama's throwing down on them.

“The Obama-nation Domination begins now!”

An enormous  issue with any game this simple lies in the replayability department. Sure, NBA Jam: On Fire Edition is a blast to play alone or with friends, but is there anything that will keep players coming back for more? Aside from being able to Jam at will against any team or opponent, players can take their skills on the virtual road for “Road Trip” mode. The mode will have players going from region to region taking on each NBA team in bronze, silver, and gold challenges. Bronze challenges have players facing off with the current roster in traditional 2-on-2 NBA Jam, silver challenges typically have players facing legends from the team, and gold challenges will bring special challenges with irregular rules into the mix.

Luckily, EA Sports had the foresight to include legions of unlockable items that take varying amounts of time. They range from cheats, custom titles, and special “privileges,” like “Big Head Mode,” to new players and teams. If players don’t want to put in the time to unlock the goodies manually, EA Sports has included the option to purchase a DLC code that unlocks all items immediately.

The upper-echelon of unlockables, which require hours of gameplay to accumulate enough in-game currency to purchase, are truly worth it. Fans of classic EA Sports BIG titles like NBA Street and SSX will enjoy the unlockable teams dedicated to those games, but the most enjoyable and hilarious unlockable items might just be, as was in the original games, the political teams.

There is something that is still enormously satisfying about watching the current President of the United States do a double backflip dunk over the best players in the NBA to rattle the rim and shatter the backboard. The teams are expanded now, so if you’ve always wanted to see Joe Biden and Hilary Clinton square off against George W. Bush and Sarah Palin on the court, NBA Jam: On Fire Edition can help you realize your dream.

It's still a blast to Jam as mascots.

The biggest question that anyone who has played or owned 2010′s NBA Jam will want an answer to is in regards to the new content in the On Fire Edition. Despite the gameplay being all but identical to the 2010 release, a few new gameplay mechanics have been introduced to make things a bit more interesting.

The biggest addition is the “Team Fire” feature, which is achieved by doing successive alley-oops, that allows for both players on the court for a given squad to catch fire and perform special moves. With On Fire Edition, “Tag Mode,” which allows players to bounce back and forth between controlling players on the court, is enabled, further mimicking the original home experience of NBA Jam. That feature can be turned off if players want the authentic arcade experience, however.

For NBA Jam veterans, NBA Jam: On Fire Edition features “Real A.I.” difficulty, which brings the biggest challenge yet. Real A.I., which first appeared in Fight Night Champion, is designed to make it feel like players are taking on a real-life opponent. Also included in the Real A.I. umbrella is the option to play against A.I. modeled after the player’s own behaviors in a true-life mirror match.

“BOOMSHAKALAKA!”

Tim Kitzrow, the voice of the original NBA Jam games, is back and, at the risk of using a cliché, truly better than ever. Instead of just popping in to comment every now and then as he did in the original games, Kitzrow double duties play-by-play and color commentary by himself. Through each game, he’ll shout out a near-perfect mix of new and classic phrases that add so much to the game, it’s ridiculous. The commentary is full of current pop-culture references, classic catchphrases, and just all-around humorous statements. It’s rare that sports game commentary is enjoyable, but it’s absolutely unprecedented for it to be this good.

As with any competitive game nowadays, playing against A.I. and local opponents can only be fun for so long. Luckily, NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, allows you to take on the world through its enhanced online modes. “Arena” allows for players to compete online in a weekly-refreshing ladder tournament. At the end of each week, the final ranking will appear on the player’s Jam Card, and will work much like a basketball card. Players can also play exhibition matches online through the “Jam Now” mode.

NBA Jam: On Fire Edition is a must-buy for any fans of the series that skipped out on the 2010 release of the game. Even those that enjoyed the 2010 version may want to give On Fire Edition a second look, as the title feels refreshed, and the new difficulty level will certainly bring something to the table for the experts. For what is included in the NBA Jam: On Fire Edition package, it’s hard not to recommend the title at a bargain price of $15.

Review Statement: A review code for NBA Jam: On Fire Edition was provided for review by EA Sports.

Written by Brian Shea  (410 Posts)

Obsessed with music and video games, associate editor Brian Shea has worked for several different rock music and gaming sites over the course his writing career. He contributes such regular features to VGW as “Shea’s Say” and “Essential Gaming." He also co-hosts VGW's "Unlimited Ammo" podcast. Follow him on Twitter for opinions, rants, and an occasional awful joke.