Topic: NBA JAM - BOOOOOOM-SHAKA-LAKA - He's... stopped, dropped and rolled!!!!!

[Ian Sane]

Is there a reason they can't just have 60 fps in the offline mode and then it's only 30 online?  Tons of N64 games for example had better framerates in single player than in four player splitscreen.  The whole thing sounds like a lame excuse.  Though if Nintendo didn't completely gimp their hardware this wouldn't be a problem either.  Third parties cut corners and are lazy but Sony and MS gives them the freedom to do so and Nintendo doesn't.  Nintendo's "we tell you how things should be" method works in hypothetical fantasy lands but not in the real world.  Third parties have excuses but Nintendo gives them ample reason to have those excuses so they share the blame.

They're still sticking to a $50 price.  It's going to cost that much... and no one is going to buy it.  If I get I'm going to get it used so that I don't reward EA no matter what version I get.  They don't deserve a new NBA Elite sale for this bullshit.

[DAaaMan64]

Mario Kart Wii does 30 FPS online.

[broodwars]

I know you guys are looking for even more reasons to own the Wii version of NBA JAM, but 1up just got a look at the Eastern Conference rosters and noted that (along with certainly legendary characters like Jordan and Reggie Miller not being in the game due to contractual reasons.    ) it looks like any player who was traded from their 2010 team after around July 1st or so (like Al Harrington, who was traded from the Knicks to the Nuggets) will not be on their new team in the Wii version of the game.  This will be fixed for the PS3 and 360 version due to the ability to patch that version, but apparently "cannot" be fixed on the Wii version due to the need to lock down the rosters.  Uhh...I could be wrong, but factoring in 2 months to get the game through Nintendo Certification and manufacture the discs, they still had at least a month to make those roster changes so why not fix the Wii version before it even goes into certification or delay it to fix the issue?   

[SixthAngel]

Uhh...I could be wrong, but factoring in 2 months to get the game through Nintendo Certification and manufacture the discs, they still had at least a month to make those roster changes so why not fix the Wii version before it even goes into certification or delay it to fix the issue?   

They don't care about it.  The guys up top obviously don't and they have screwed the Wii version so badly that the guys down bottom won't want to put in any extra effort.  Inevitable roster changes should be something that they prepared for from the very start but they just didn't.

[NWR_insanolord]

The Wii version of Madden has (or at least had last time I bought it) roster updates. Not only is an update possible, but EA themselves have done it in the past.

[broodwars]

The Wii version of Madden has (or at least had last time I bought it) roster updates. Not only is an update possible, but EA themselves have done it in the past.

In all fairness to EA, changing a roster in Madden means swapping out a nametag on the back of a jersey and some stats because for the most part you can't tell who the players are supposed to be in those outfits.  In NBA JAM, you have some model/sprite and animation changes that have to be put into effect because the players are clearly identifiable.  It's a lot more time-consuming, though I still think they could have done it.  I wonder if one of the players traded was on their respective JAM team, so they would have had to create a new character model for a replacement character to fill in the missing slot,

[BeautifulShy]

Well here is the roster for the Eastern Conference.I am going to spoiler the legends and Mascots of the teams.Normal rosters will not be spoilered.

Atlanta Hawks:Joe Johnson,Josh Smith,Mike Bibby.
Dominique Wilkins and Spud Webb

Boston Celtics:Kevin Garnett,Paul Pierce,Ray Allen,Rajon Rondo.
Larry Bird and Kevin Mchale.

Charlote Bobcats:Gerald Wallace,Stephen Jackson,Tyrus Thomas.
Mascot:Rufus Lynx

Chicago Bulls:Derrick Rose,Luol Deng,Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer.
Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman

Cleveland Cavalars:Mo Williams,Antwan Jamison,Anderson Varajho.
Mark Price and Brad Daughtery

Detroit Pistons:Richard Hamilton,Rodney Stucky,Charlie Villanuva and Ben Gordon.
Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer

Indiana Pacers:Danny Granger,Mike Dunleavy,TJ Ford.
Detlif Schremf

Miami Heat:Dwane Wade,Lebron James, Chris Bosh.
Glen Rice and Rony Seikaly

Milwaukee Bucks:Michael Redd,Andrew Bogut,Brandon Jennings,Corrie Maggettee.

Mascot:Bango the Buck

New Jersey Nets:Devin Harris,Brook Lopez and Courtney Lee.
Kenny Anderson and Drazen Petrovic

New York Knicks:Al Harrinton,Danilo Gallinari,Amari Stodamire.
Patrick Ewing,Larry Johnson,John Starks

Orlando Magic:Dwight Howard,Vince Carter,Rashard Lewis.
Nick Anderson and Scott Skiles

Philidelphia 76's:Andre Igluodala,Elton Brand, and Even Turner.
Julius Erving and Allen Iverson
Toronto Raptors:Demar DeRozen,Jarret Jack, and Andrea  Bargnina.
The Raptor

Washington Wizards:Yi Jianlian,Andray Blatche,Gilbert Arenas,John Wall.
Manute Bol and the mascot G-Wiz

[Adrock]

I'm sorry but, to me, this is obviously not some studio "staying true to NBA jam."  They will say whatever they can to put a good spin on them not having online in the game.  60fps is the biggest cop-out ever and a bullet point nowhere near as important as online.

Then, why would Trey Smith go out of his way to say they were trying? If he said something EA top brass didn't want him to say, you can bet their PR assault squad would descend upon larger gaming media outlets immediately and retract them. Nothing of the sort happened here. We've seen 3rd parties give Nintendo the cold shoulder for years and there has never been any real attempt at putting a good spin on it. Why start now?

60 fps vs 30 fps is NOT a bullet point. If it didn't matter, then ALL versions of the game would run at 30 fps and they'd call it a day. However, all indications suggest that the 360/PS3 version runs at 60 fps offline and online. If it doesn't, you have a valid point and I'll be right there with you cursing EA. The feature was cut not not planned. Smith went on record to say it was something they wanted in the game and were working on. It just didn't work out. I have no qualms calling shenanigans; I just don't see it here. If there were no plans for online multiplayer on the Wii, I have no doubt EA, of all companies, would have bluntly said so and not even given any reason for it. Having to announce the cut so late is hardly an ideal scenario. All of these theories that EA is sabotaging the game is ridiculous. EA, like every company, wants our money. Online multiplayer is a major selling point and without it, some won't buy.

The Wii version has been sunk from above and I don't think anyone really has the desire to spend any more time or money on an obviously doomed project.

This is just faulty thinking and there's nothing to support this at all. Why even have a Wii version at all then? More importantly, why have it be the lead platform? The Wii version could have easily been canned if EA didn't give a damn about it.

[Shaymin]

Toronto Raptors:Demar DeRozen,Jarret Jack, and Andrea  Bargnina.
The Raptor

[ insert notation that Chris Bosh needs to interact with a cactus here ]

[broodwars]

Well here is the roster for the Eastern Conference.I am going to spoiler the legends and Mascots of the teams.Normal rosters will not be spoilered.

Wow, Mascots are considered spoilers now? 

[Mop it up]

Well here is the roster for the Eastern Conference.I am going to spoiler the legends and Mascots of the teams.Normal rosters will not be spoilered.

Wow, Mascots are considered spoilers now? 

If they are unlockables/secrets, then yes, that could be considered a spoiler (it's moddable on GameFAQs).

[BeautifulShy]

Hey some people consider hidden characters spoilers.

[broodwars]

Hey some people consider hidden characters spoilers.

I'll be sure to remember that the next time I see the Jazz Bear or Magic Stuff on TV.  EA puts team mascots in their games all the time, often not as secret characters.  Eh, whatever.

[BeautifulShy]

Gosh the point being is that not all of the NBA teams in NBA Jam have mascots as hidden characters. In addition to that in the original games they had mascots as secret characters. So putting in mascots in this game is a way to pay homage to the original games which I might add EA didn't have any part of.

[SixthAngel]

This is just faulty thinking and there's nothing to support this at all. Why even have a Wii version at all then? More importantly, why have it be the lead platform? The Wii version could have easily been canned if EA didn't give a damn about it.

There is a Wii version because that what it was planned to be from the beginning.  There is no way it was planned to be a free give-away game at the start but that was most likely decided far into the games development(although I imagine some people always had a port in their mind).  By the time this decision was made the Wii version was probably too far to can, actually had some hype for it, and it is the only version that has a chance of making some of the money back.

The situation reaks of upper management cannibalizing one game to make their "new" franchise successful.  NBA Elite is replacing Live this year and they really want to get a new yearly cash cow and set up Elite to be the big new bball game.  Finding another game that is currently under development, that isn't important to the big guys at the company, doing a quick port and packing it in is their way to try to make Elite a run away success and give them a new Madden to milk.  EA cares about yearly franchises and will sacrifice a game like Jam and take the loss if they think it can help a yearly game.

Reading Larry Bird in Maxi's list tempts me, but I just don't have friends who would want to play this game at my house.

[Retro Deckades]

Simply put, the lack of online play is disappointing. I was hyped for this game. EA made it sound like it was going to have everything and the kitchen sink.

It's just hard to believe that they couldn't find some online multiplayer solution for the $50 version of the game. Either way, I'll now probably wait for a price drop before I pick this up.

[broodwars]

The Western Conference rosters have now been announced, and I'm extremely underwhelmed.  There's a distinct lack of mascots this time, and even though my team (take a guess) has the Legends you would expect, the main roster is just weird.  We don't have Boozer, and we don't have Al Jefferson (two trades that happened very close to one another).  We don't have Paul Millsap as Deron Williams' partner, but we do have Kirilenko and Okur (who is currently out with injuries).
 
Yeah, I'll probably be going for the free version with Elite.  The rosters will at least be closer to being right.

[BeautifulShy]

Can you post the list Broodwars. The page isn't loading properly for me.

[broodwars]

Can you post the list Broodwars. The page isn't loading properly for me.

The full Western Conference roster is as follows:
 
Dallas Mavericks
Players: Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and Caron Butler
Mascot: Mavs Man
 
Denver Nuggets
Players: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin
Mascot: Rocky The Mountain Lion   
 
Golden State Warriors
Players: Monta Ellis, David Lee, Stephen Curry and Andris Biedrins
Legends: Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin 
 
Houston Rockets
Players: Kevin Martin, Yao Ming and Trevor Ariza
Legends: Hakeem Olajuwon and Kenny Smith   
 
Los Angeles Clippers
Players: Baron Davis, Blake Griffin and Chris Kaman
Legend: Danny Manning   
 
Los Angeles Lakers
Players: Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Ron Artest and Lamar Odom
Legends: Magic Johnson and James Worthy 
 
Memphis Grizzlies
Players: O.J. Mayo, Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay
Legend: Bryant Reeves   
 
Minnesota Timberwolves
Players: Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, Jonny Flynn and Michael Beasley
Legend: Chuck Person   
 
New Orleans Hornets
Players: Chris Paul, David West and Peja Stojakovic
Legend: Larry Johnson   
 
Oklahoma City Thunder
Players: Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook
Legend: Rumble The Bison   
 
Phoenix Suns
Players: Steve Nash, Grant Hill and Jason Richardson
Legends: Dan Majerle and Kevin Johnson   
 
Portland Trail Blazers
Players: Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden
Legend: Clyde Drexler   
 
Sacramento Kings
Players: Tyreke Evans, Carl Landry, Jason Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins
Legend: Mitch Richmond   
 
San Antonio Spurs
Players: Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili
Legends: David Robinson and George Gervin
 
Utah Jazz
Players: Deron Williams, Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur
Legends: Karl Malone and John Stockton

[Shaymin]

There's a distinct lack of mascots this time

Sounds like there's a distinct lack of Western teams that don't have legendary players.

[Ian Sane]

Big Country is a legend?  As much as a bummer it is to lose a sports franchise the fact that the Grizzlies are so pathetic and irrelevant makes it all better.  Losing the Sonics?  That blows because the Sonics had historical relevance and left just before they became good again.  No one wants a situation like the Quebec Nordiques or the Cleveland Browns where the team leaves and then immediately proceeds to win titles in the new location.  But Vancouver has never really missed the Grizzlies because what is there to miss?  Oh no, Memphis got to see Pau Gasol giftwrapped for the Lakers instead of us!

Though back when the Grizzlies first were founded there was Big Country stuff everywhere.  He was the face of the franchise and was hyped to all hell.  I distinctly remember lifesize cardboard cutouts so people could compare their height to his.

Do you know what does suck?  After a typical expansion team first season the Grizz picked third in the 1996 draft where they could have drafted STEVE NASH.  Not only a future hall-of-famer but also a Canadian from BRITISH COLUMBIA!  Nash is huge here.  We get Phoenix Suns coverage like it's the local team entirely because of him.  He is the face of basketball in Vancouver.  You wonder how things would have been if they picked him.  He was the absolute perfect choice to be the face of the franchise.  But hindsight is 20/20 and all that.

[broodwars]

Well, EA's delayed NBA Elite 11 into next year and removed the free version of JAM from it, so now we'll be able to get JAM on the HD consoles for a price via their respective download services or on the Wii in October.

[NWR_insanolord]

When I first saw that Elite was being pushed back I thought it might be good news for the Wii version of NBA Jam, but if they're switching it from a bonus to something people can buy independently on XBLA and PSN that makes things even worse for the Wii version.

[BeautifulShy]

Wait it says in the article that Broodwars linked to that they don't know if it will be a PSN and XBLA game or a retail game.

[BlackNMild2k1]

response to NBA Elite 11 was so bad that they delayed it huh?

and NBA Jam HD to be released "in time for the holidays"....

I guess that is sorta good news for the Wii version since that will be the only way to play the game next month and probably most of next month too.
Unfortunately, I wouldn't be surprised if NBA Jam HD was a full featured disc release before Xmas now that they aren't giving it away for free as a bonus.