Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

NBA Action 98 offers a surprisingly deep gameplay experience for Sega’s first basketball outing on the PC. The title boasts a fully licensed roster of NBA teams and players, giving you an authentic feel as you step onto real courts with real uniforms. Whether you choose to run pick-and-rolls in Madison Square Garden or pull up for a three-pointer in the Staples Center, the game’s realistic AI ensures that each matchup feels competitive and true to life.

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One of the standout features is the comprehensive practice mode. Before diving into a full season or quick exhibition games, you can hone your skills—master layups, perfect jump shots, and work on your defensive rotations without the pressure of a ticking game clock. This training ground is especially helpful for newcomers to the franchise, letting players learn team tendencies and individual player animations at their own pace.

Multiplayer is another pillar of NBA Action 98’s gameplay. Supporting up to five players on a single machine, the title transforms any gathering into an impromptu tournament. Pass the keyboard or gamepad around as you battle friends in fast-paced three-on-three or full-court showdowns. The camaraderie and occasional trash-talking make these local multiplayer sessions some of the most memorable moments.

For those who crave more control over their basketball destiny, the game’s robust edit mode is a godsend. You can create your own team from scratch—design logos, select jersey colors, name your franchise, and even craft individual player attributes. This customization layer adds considerable replay value, as you can pit your dream team against the real NBA powerhouses or challenge friends with unique roster matchups.

Graphics

Visually, NBA Action 98 is a treat, especially considering the era of its release. The game leverages motion capture technology to animate player movements with a fluidity rarely seen in 1998. Crossovers, slam dunks, and defensive steals are all presented with crisp, believable animations that capture the essence of real NBA play.

Each arena is faithfully recreated, down to the court decals and crowd colors. The lighting effects simulate the bright overhead lights of indoor stadiums, casting realistic shadows on the polished hardwood. Even the smallest details—like the NBA logo on the midcourt line—are rendered with care, enhancing the overall authenticity.

The user interface maintains a clean and intuitive design, with scoreboards, shot clocks, and player meters clearly displayed without cluttering the screen. In replays, slow-motion highlights are complemented by dynamic camera angles that emphasize the intensity of key moments, whether it’s a buzzer-beater or a highlight-reel dunk.

While polygon counts might look dated by today’s standards, NBA Action 98’s art direction and motion capture give it a timeless appeal. The player faces aren’t exact replicas of their real-world counterparts, but distinctive hairstyles and jersey numbers make stars easily identifiable on the court.

Story

As a sports simulator, NBA Action 98 doesn’t follow a traditional narrative, but it still provides a compelling sense of progression throughout its season mode. You start with your selected team and navigate through regular-season matchups, strategic trades, and potential playoff runs. Each victory inches you closer to the ultimate goal: capturing the NBA championship.

Along the way, the game simulates media headlines and post-game interviews, offering snippets of commentary that keep you invested in your team’s journey. While not as elaborate as a story-driven sports title, these touches create a framework that motivates players to improve their standings and chase accolades like MVP honors.

The lack of a scripted story arc may disappoint players seeking a cinematic career mode, but the open-ended nature allows for emergent narratives. You might engineer a midseason trade that turns your franchise around, or guide an underdog team to a shock upset against reigning champions. These personalized storylines emerge organically from the gameplay itself.

Furthermore, custom teams created in edit mode can write their own tales. You can inject fictional rosters into the league, track their rise from expansion teams to title contenders, and recount your own epic sports saga—one game at a time.

Overall Experience

NBA Action 98 makes a strong first impression as Sega’s premier basketball simulation on the PC. It balances accessibility for newcomers with depth for veteran hoops fans, thanks to its practice drills, customizable rosters, and multiplayer options. The authentic licensing brings real NBA drama to your desktop, while edit mode lets you break free from the canonical rosters.

Technically, the game shines with realistic AI, motion-captured animations, and well-designed courts, all packaged within a user-friendly interface. Even though modern gamers may find the graphics dated, the core gameplay mechanics—defensive rotations, pick-and-roll strategies, and fast breaks—remain engaging and challenging.

Despite the absence of a scripted storyline, NBA Action 98’s season mode and emergent narratives ensure that no two playthroughs feel the same. You become the architect of your own basketball saga, whether you’re rebuilding a struggling franchise or maintaining a dynasty in the playoffs.

For those looking to relive late-’90s PC sports gaming or simply seeking a solid basketball title with customizable features and local multiplayer chaos, NBA Action 98 delivers an experience that remains enjoyable years after its release. It’s an essential pick for collectors and a nostalgic trip for veteran gamers alike.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10