NBA JAM by EA SPORTS

NBA JAM for the iPhone, is a great version of an old favorite. Ever since I was in junior high the arcade version of NBA Jam has been one of my go to games. With quotable catchphrases, over the top dunks and for lack of a better term, prison rules, it was instantly a franchise that fans of sports video games could not wait to play. Playing in the classic two-on-two style, gamers can select from a few current starters of each NBA team. You play four, three-minute quarters. The only NBA rule that seems to apply is a twenty-four second shot clock. There are no fouls and no out of bounds. The duo with the highest score wins.

To start the game you select your team. If you are playing solo, you select your player, as well as the player the computer will be controlling on your team, and your opponents. The game starts with a jump ball, and then it’s just a race up and down the court with very few stoppages. At halftime, you do have the option to make substitutions on your team. In addition you will get statistics for both teams at halftime and at the end of the game, which gives you a nice opportunity to set single game goals for yourselves in points, rebounds, assists, dunks, alley-oops and my personal favorite, shoves.

All in all, the game is a scaled down version of what you would get in the arcade or one’s at home game console. One negative I found was that when your player catches on fire you will still miss some easy threes, and it’s can be difficult to goal tend. Some players may see that as a plus as it makes the game a little more realistic. Another drawback about playing on the iPhone is that the D-pad takes up a big spot in the lower left hand corner, which just happens to be the direction your team goes on offense. This covers up a portion of your half of the court and can cause you to lose track of the ball. Despite that one flaw this is a great game for waiting rooms and standing in lines. Instead of following your significant other around the mall, find a bench, park yourself and go all BOOMSHAKALAKA!