NBA Jam
NBA Jam is a 1993 arcade sports game developed by Midway, and it redefined basketball games with its frantic, over-the-top, two-on-two action. Exaggerated dunks and flaming "on fire" streaks became instant, iconic hallmarks.
Stripping basketball down to fast, arcade-style fun with no fouls and few rules, it let players pull off physically impossible slam dunks and catch fire after sinking three shots in a row, complete with a memorable, catchphrase-spouting announcer. Its accessibility, humor, secret unlockable characters, and digitized player likenesses made it a massive hit in both arcades and homes. It effectively created a whole style of exaggerated arcade sports games and left an enduring mark on gaming pop culture.
The franchise was revived on modern consoles years later, and the original remains an icon of the golden age of arcade sports, still quoted and celebrated by fans today.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to NBA Jam, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
| Alternative | Price | Steam Deck | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunk Lords Indie | € 14,99 | Steam Deck Untested | PC |
| NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 | € 29,99 | Steam Deck Playable | PC |
Dunk Lords Indie
€ 14,99An indie two-on-two street basketball game blending sports and brawling.
Dunk Lords runs on PC. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch.
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2
€ 29,99An arcade-style basketball game with exaggerated dunks and quick matches.
NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 runs on PC. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch.
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