Many NBA fans miss the classicNBA Jamgame from decades past and miss having multiple options for basketball video games in general. Recent memory seesNBA 2Kas the only major basketball console with NBA licensing. Alternative basketball games exist, but a lack of NBA representation or trademarks hurts the potential of those games becoming hits.
Most basketball fans associate the NBA with basketball, so a desire for games likeNBA Jamto return is strong for those upset withNBA 2K. The games are extremely different in terms of what fans expect from each.NBA 2Koffers a more realistic approach to NBA games, whileNBA Jamused to present a more chaotic and fun form of 2v2 games. The demand forNBA Jamto return is worth exploring, but the reason why it won’t happen is far more interesting.
Why Basketball Fans Tired Of NBA 2K Want NBA Jam Back
NBA 2K24sold a lot of games and continued the dominant streak of annual sports games having a core audience. Unfortunately, the repetitive game sees little change each year and fails to satisfy a large percentage of the audience.No new classic or legend NBA teamsand very few updates to the traditional popular modes created some conversation about change in the basketball video game community. Some online streamers known for playingNBA 2Kdecided to slow down or completely give up on the franchise.
Past decades saw fans having bothNBA 2KandNBA Liveas major NBA video game franchises trying to one-up each other. The landscape also welcomed side projects,likeNBA StreetorNBA Ballers, to keep an open market appealing to all fans. Conversation about more games returning to add variety outside justNBA 2Kevery year putNBA Jamback into the rotation.
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NCAA Footballreturning in 2024is creating excitement, despite many fans waiting for more information and the release to try out the gameplay. Seeing this classic sports video game franchise having another chance at life and adding a new option to the football video game market makes it more tempting to look back at other games with similar nostalgia.
NBA Jamthriving as an arcade gameand offering something different makes it a fun alternative to games likeNBA 2Kand the pastNBA Livegames. However, it also provides a chance for frustrated fans to shift their attention elsewhere. Users playing one game will only expose the weaknesses easily and create unhappiness over any disappointments. Basketball fans having few options outside ofNBA 2Kleads to a stronger desire for games likeNBA Jamor other projects.
NBA Jam Would Make Sense On Paper, But Likely Won’t Return Soon
NBA Currently Sells 131 Different NBA Jam Items In Homage Store
The NBA sells a lot of different t-shirts that play into theNBA Jamvideo games. Homage has a deal with the NBA to release shirts of that style that show the graphics of two players on the same team with their video game stats. Both old-school shirts withgreat NBA duos from previous erasand current teams with a superstar duo will be available for sale. A solid customer base for this proves that the old video game franchise holds relevance today.
Arcades with older games still exist today;NBA Jam’s arcade cabinetsremain among the most popular sports games. Both the new-school fans sick ofNBA 2K’s stagnant game progression and old-school fans who still miss the game would be on board to play the legacy game if it ever returned. Few games from the past hold such reverence to have folks going out of their way to play at an arcade or buying shirts that play into the past.
Recent NBA changes see the previous era of teams forming a “big three”tandem to contend for an NBA Championshipgoing away. Most franchises are attempting to pair two top-level superstars with the right role players behind them.NBA Jamonly showcasing two players per team adds to that novelty. Multiple variables showing it’s a good idea on paper make it more depressing that it won’t happen in the near future.
Why NBA Jam Won’t Return Any Time Soon
Money is the absolute that rules most decision-making processes in the video game industry, and that remainstrue for the NBA basketball world. The main reason thatNBA Jamand no other NBA video game will enter the market for consoles any time soon is that 2K locked them into an exclusive deal. It flew under the radar that the NBA signed their longest video game exclusive deal with 2K.
A seven-year contract for over $1 billion gives 2K’s Tale-Two ownership the right to have the only major NBA video game until that deal ends. The deal removed any chance of previous eras having competition between the video game companies hoping to produce the better game.NBA 2Khas another two yearsbefore any changes can be made with new games entering the mix.
EA owns the rights toNBA Jamand holds no legal right to release any games during this contract. The fans aware of this deal often complain that it plays a role in the complacency ofNBA 2Kdevelopment each game. Nothing needs to change until the contract year requires a strong outing and fan satisfaction to continue the partnership.
NBA 2Kcould always add anNBA Jamside mode if it worked with EA, but it remains highly unlikely the companies will get on the same page. Any recreation of the mode with a different name would risk coming off as a cheap imitation that strips away the authenticity.NBA 2Kensures that the beloved game missed by basketball fans won’t return any time soon;NBA Jamfans will have to settle for expensive t-shirts and occasional arcade trips.
NBA Jam
WHERE TO PLAY
NBA JAM: On Fire Edition is everything you love about NBA JAM, dialed up to 11! Featuring bigger rosters, 30+ unlockable secret teams, legendary players, monster dunks, all-new online modes, and so much more. Of course, the voice of NBA JAM – Tim Kitzrow – is back with tons more original commentary.
