Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC builds on the fast-paced, over-the-top arcade basketball action pioneered by NBA Jam, infusing it with even more flair and depth. Players will immediately notice the trademark “On-Fire” mechanic that rewards hot streaks with flaming footprints, automatic perfect shots, and increased speed. Beyond simply draining three after three, Showtime introduces special moves like the alley-oop, spin move, and double dunk, each executed via straightforward button combinations that feel satisfying even for newcomers.

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The inclusion of a Create-a-Player mode elevates the replay value, allowing gamers to craft a unique superstar whose attributes improve as matches are won. This personalization marries nicely with the cheat code system—enter secret sequences to unlock hidden characters, from NBA mascots to the Universal Monsters in the arcade original. The ability to save personal records directly on the arcade cabinet, and carry those stats over to home consoles, further strengthens the bond between player and avatar.

Online mode aficionados will appreciate the whip-fast controls and minimal lag, while local couch co-op remains a hoot thanks to the franchise’s pedigree in multiplayer mayhem. Whether you’re bidding for a last-second tip-in with a friend or competing in a bracket-style tournament, the blend of accessibility and depth keeps each match feeling fresh. For arcade purists, the Gold Edition update delivers updated rosters, ensuring you’re playing with the cream of the 2000 crop.

Graphics

NBA Showtime’s cartoonish, larger-than-life visuals stand out in the late ’90s sports lineup. Player models boast exaggerated musculature, bulging eyes, and comically oversized jerseys that animate with snappy, fluid motion on the hardwood. The bold color palette—shocking pinks, electric blues, and neon greens—reinforces the arcade aesthetic, ensuring every dunk looks like a firework display.

On-court animations, especially the signature slam dunks, are rendered with dynamic camera cuts and slow-motion snaps that never feel out of place. The lighting effects during an “On-Fire” spree bathe the entire arena in an orange glow, while particle trails emphasize every heated dribble and spinning layup. Even the smaller details, like the shadows under players’ feet and the crowd’s animated reactions, were ahead of their time on both arcade boards and home consoles.

While the home console ports lost the Universal Monsters from the character roster, the overall graphical fidelity remained solid. Updated rosters for the 1999–2000 season meant new faces—and new jerseys—to keep things visually relevant. Stadium backdrops, complete with NBC branding, capture the feel of a live NBA broadcast, heightening the spectacle with scorebug graphics and dynamic crowd cams.

Story

At its core, NBA Showtime isn’t driven by a traditional narrative but by the ethos of pure arcade competition. There’s no season mode with cutscenes or player biographies; instead, the story unfolds through every high-flying dunk, buzzer-beater shot, and runaway victory. In this way, your personal journey—from a rookie Create-a-Player to a legend running hot on the “On-Fire” meter—becomes the game’s true storyline.

The inclusion of secret characters, like the Universal Monsters in the arcade version, adds a tongue-in-cheek twist to the otherwise basketball-centric proceedings. Uncovering these hidden opponents feels like discovering Easter eggs in a blockbuster movie, providing moments of levity and surprise that break up the standard bracket or exhibition runs. It’s a playful reminder that Showtime never takes itself too seriously.

The later console editions, while lacking the horror-themed unlockables, still tell an implicit tale of NBA evolution. Updated rosters place you alongside the era’s biggest stars—think Shaq, Kobe, and Iverson—allowing you to rewrite games in legendary duos and rivalries. Your victories over historic rivals, amplified by exaggerated animations and wild commentary, form a highlight reel that stands in for a formal narrative.

Overall Experience

NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC seamlessly blends arcade accessibility with enough depth to reward dedicated players. Its pick-up-and-play controls ensure that anyone can start shredding defenses within minutes, while the Create-a-Player progression and cheat code unlockables entice you back for countless sessions. The on-court mayhem—driven by over-the-top dunks, “On-Fire” flurries, and hidden monsters—is as exhilarating now as it was when the arcade cabinets first lit up the ’90s.

The game’s presentation, brilliantly colorful and brimming with dynamic camera angles, feels tailor-made for communal viewing. Whether you’re at the arcade, on your home console, or gathered around the TV with friends, every jam and every buzzer-beater looks and sounds spectacular. The updated home ports, sporting the 1999–2000 rosters, demonstrate developer dedication to keeping the experience fresh even as real-world lineups changed.

For fans of classic arcade sports titles, NBA Showtime represents one of the genre’s high-water marks. It may not feature a deep franchise mode or realistic physics simulations, but it delivers pure, unadulterated fun that few modern titles can match. If you’re seeking a fast-paced basketball game with outrageous flair, hidden surprises, and the chance to create your own court legend, NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC remains a slam dunk purchase.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10