Retro slam dunk
If you are like me, you have the slam dunk animation from Double Dribble embedded in your brain forever. There was something special about 8-bit sports games that made them feel timeless. Sure, they didn’t always have all the real players, season modes, or tons of customization, but man they were endlessly fun. The next title from the resurgence of Acclaim aims to bring that joy back to grown adults who refuse to grow up. Basketball Classics is a title that when I first heard about it, thought it was another collection of classic titles, but instead it is its own thing, and that is so much more exciting.
Doing some research, I learned that this game actually came out back in 2019, but only on PC. This new release is basically to bring it to consoles, which is great as it opens it up to a massive new audience. Built by the team at Namo Gamo, which is a two-person indie studio, this 5-on-5 retro-style basketball game is focused on fun, and it nails that.
MSRP: $9.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $9.99
One of the aspects that made those classic sports games so fun was simplicity. Basketball Classics only uses three buttons, shooting, passing, and defensive moves. This allows players to immediately jump in and play. There are obviously other aspects to the action, but when the controls are so simple, it is easy to learn those things as you play more. It is a very pick up and play title that just nails what makes gaming so much fun. Titles like Double Dribble and Tecmo Bowl succeeded where today’s sports titles fail, and that is appealing to both sports fans and just regular gamers as well. Basketball Classics succeeds on this level as well, making it easy to recommend to everyone.
The depth of the game actually comes from the dynamic play calling. During the course of a game players can opt to switch tactics via a simple menu. It isn’t necessary on easier difficulties, but once ramped up, these changes are required. This allows players to enjoy the game how they want, and I love that. It is the kind of game that rewards learning how it all works and actually makes it fun to do. Games that make you want to be better are truly the best.
Surprisingly, there is a story mode here, and it serves a purpose. There are cut scenes and match the aesthetic perfectly. Going through this mode also exposes just how much content can be found in the game. There are 175 teams to unlock and over a thousand different players, including legends, and each one has their own stats. There is a lot here to unpack, and the progression is done so well. I found myself wanting to do just one more match to see what unlocked.
The multiplayer is where things really excel though. Sadly, it is only available locally, but if you have someone to play with, the action is unmatched. I had a blast playing the game with my son, and even he had a good time knowing nothing about basketball. I do wish I could play it online though as he eventually got tired of me winning.
Visually the game has that chunky pixel look we have become accustomed to. I loved the homage to the dunk cut scenes from Double Dribble, except these are interactive. You have to move the character’s arm to try and make the shot, while the defense does the same. Makes an interesting mini-game addition to the action.
Basketball Classics is a wonderful experience at a perfect price that anyone can enjoy. Players don’t have to have knowledge of the sport to have a good time, and there is enough content here to keep players hooked for a while. The lack of online hurts it a little, but I still recommend this to just about anyone who enjoys fun. Get past the nostalgic visuals and you will discover one of the most addictive experiences I have had in a long time.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
