'NBA Jam: On Fire' With Shaquille O'Neal (VIDEO)

Upon its original release in 1993, NBA Jam revolutionized gaming forever. With its hyper-exaggerated players soaring the air, flaming basketballs and of course, catch-phrases like "Boomshakalaka" and "He's Heating Up," it was truly ahead of its time. Eighteen years after the original release for Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis, the game graces us for the first time on Xbox 360 and PS3 with its October 5th release by EA Sports.

Who better to sample the new "NBA Jam: On Fire Edition" than Shaquille O'Neal, whose star was still rising back then and until now, was never actually in the game. With over 80 unlockable legends -- e.g. Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan -- and improved game play, including Tag Mode, which allows you to control both players on a team instead of relying on just one, not to mention the economical price of $14.99 (via digital download), gamers are chomping at the bit. If only I was 10 years old again screaming at the TV in my parents' basement while shooting 28 3-pointers with Drazen Petrovic.

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Comments

[MXL]

05:58 AM on 10/08/2011

Call me a stickler for correctness, but it's actually "champing" at the bit.

Anyway, I used to LOVE playing NBA Jam at the arcade. My favorite player to use, surprisingly, was Mike Iuzzolino of the Mavericks. Not because he was that good, but because I liked to hear the announcer say his name. For some reason that was important to me at 12 years old.

[beasteben]

11:48 AM on 10/07/2011

I don't think he could have picked a better year to retire. He doesn't have to stress at all about that lock out.