GDR Masthead

NBA Hangtime


GT Interactive

 Reviewed by: Barak Engel
Platform: Windows 95.
Category: 2-on-2 arcade hoops Version: 1
Multiplayer: Up to 4 via multiple controllers. Author: Midway
Release: January, 1997

Graphic modes: 640x480xTrue, 640x480x15bit
Controls: Mouse, Keyboard, Joystick, Gravis gamepads/grIp, DirectX compatible multiplayer controllers
Sound devices: All supported by Windows
Computer Memory HD space CD speed Other reqs/options
Minimum P90 8 M   x 1 Could be run directly from CD; requires DirectX
Reviewed on 166MMX 64 M 20 M x 12
Recommended P120 16 M 20 M x 8
Reviewer's Hardware: Gravis grIp

OFFICIAL PAGE    


I love this game. No, really

Its Jamtime... err... Hangtime!

NBA Jam. If you've never been to an arcade, then you have probably never seen this at work. Sad, really, as it is such good fun. Still being my favorite arcade game to this day, the countless hours I spent on it have much to do with the increase in coin minting noticed over the last several years. Someone had to produce all those quarters.

I have seen several attempts at recreating that fabulous game on a PC, but they were all simply abysmal. It naturally follows that I didn't have much hope in Hangtime. How much better could they make the previous attempts? and I wasn't forgetting the one that so presumptuously called itself "NBA Jam". That was one game that had it all- every bad aspect that could be found in a computer game. So, is NBA Hangtime any better? you bet.


The tipoff

It does work. Really.

Installing Hangtime is easy. It needs DirectX 3, which is supplied on the CD Rom. Running the setup utility allows you to choose whether to install it, or install the game to disk, where it consumes about 20MB (or just over 50MB if you opt for a full install). You may even decide to run it straight from the CD, but I strongly recommend against this, as even using my rather impressive hardware did not stop all the glitches and sudden stops while reading from the CD during a game.

I continue to be puzzled by the fact that I cannot make this game run correctly with my Gravis grIps. Oh well. I guess I'm just doing something wrong... the main problem with this fact, though, is that too many keys pressed at once on the keyboard may cause occasional "lockups", where new key presses cease to have effect until some others are released. When playing in multiplayer mode (and the only way to play, in my opinion), this actually becomes an issue, and if you and your friend are on the same team, it is important to remember to move your fingers off the keyboard if your teammate runs for a spectacular dunk. And it almost always prohibits double dunks. But I'm getting too far ahead here.


My teammate released his buttons. Yeah!

Court-view

Then again, I cant stop myself, so Ill dive right into gameplay. Like, what happens on court. I am happy to announce that you don't need to spend any more quarters. Midway has created such a wonderful adaptation of that arcade hit, that I have already ruined (yes, broke) one of my keyboard keys playing it. Its just as fun and addicting as the original, and with the advantage of being at home. The animation's are fluid and rich. The players have those real-life player heads, so everyone look like they do in real life- a very appealing aspect of Jam. The crowd responds to what happens on the field (including the occasional "air baaaall" chant, and boo-ing). The sideline animated graphics of annoyed coaches, team benches and crowd add to the fun. The announcer has the original's flair, and his remarks are as funny and exciting as ever. The background music is just right for the game, adding its own to the involving atmosphere. NBA Hangtime may only be an arcade adaptation, but its one of the best arcade games I have ever seen on a PC. It has an addictive quality that I have not encountered since... I cant even remember when. Simcity, maybe? Midway did the right thing with NBA Hangtime- they took a truly wonderful game and made every effort to make the PC version feel exactly the same. And they deserve praise- I just cant stop playing the damn thing!


Nailing one from downtown

My duties...

... as a reviewer require me to tell you about such mundane things as interface, usability, and options. Here we are, then. As interface goes, it has an arcade feel to it- you need to use a very limited amount of buttons to go through the different menu options. No big deal, if you are used to arcade halls, but still, I think that this could be improved. For example, to change the shoot key assignment for player 2, you will need to enter a sequence of 11 (!) keypresses from the main menu. You may change resolutions from the main menu, or use a hot-key combination anywhere; slow machines may not be able to run Hangtime at full screen.


In game stats. I control Pippen

Before I go on, for those of you who are not familiar with NBA Jam, here's a short explanation: the game is actually a mockery of basketball, played 2-on-2 full court with players from real NBA teams (all of which have their faces as part of the animation's). "Normal" looking scoring is frowned upon- the more preposterous the way you put the ball in the net, the better. This includes some very interesting maneuvers, like full body windmills, and lots of pushing and shoving. Score three in a row without scoring from the other team, and you will become "on fire", which will not only help you with your shooting or blocking (no more goaltending!), but will actually burn the nets when your shots go through. And if you manage to pull off some really crazy stuff several times in a row, your team will be "on fire", which is great fun and beats Quake easily on adrenalin levels. Fouls are unheard of, as are violations of any kind except the 24 second shot clock and goaltending. Its fast and furious, and loads of fun.

The game's interface faithfully pursues the arcade theme. You "buy in" game quarters by pressing a designated key for each player (which resembles inserting a quarter); this allows up to four players to join into a game in progress. You may have a name/pin combination under which your win/loss/stats record is preserved as you play the game. Should you wish to do so, you may create your own player, and advance his stats as you play games. Using this option is part of the fun, especially as you can put up some very interesting appearances for your self made hoops maniac.


Invasion from Mars? no, just my wicked hoops player. Heh.

Other game options include all the fun codes that give you a big head, enter tournament mode, have super abilities etc., all accessible during matchup screen. The various codes aren't listed in the manual, so as a public service, you may find the list of codes at the end of the review. During the game itself you have all the trimmings of NBA Jam- on fire, alley oops, team fire and double dunks, pushing, shoving and general violence, lean shots, funny lay-ups, hookshots and crazy dunks... the works.


Furious action awaits yea who enter here

Back to court

To get maximum enjoyment from NBA Hangtime, you'll need two things: full screen mode, and a large screen to run it on. Assuming you can supply these demands, and you like the idea of some hectic, fun, 2-on-2 action, then this game is a must-buy. And if you have ever played and loved NBA Jam, and wished for it at home, then you should leave everything right now and go down to your nearest store, or pick up the phone and mail order, or whatever. Just go get it. And get a friend to come over. He wont leave soon.

Oh, I almost forgot; here are the codes. Have fun: 025- baby mode, 048- no music, 111- tournament mode, 120- quick passing, 273- turbo bar not shown, 284- super speed, 390- no violence, 461- turbo unlimited, 552- even more speed, 616- super blocking, 709- quick hands, 802- strong arms, 937- no goaltending.

Pros: Cons:

FOOTNOTES
Appeal: NBA Jam lovers, or anyone who wants a good, fun (and funny!) 2-on-2 hoops show
Originality: The original was original.
Graphics: Very good. Fluid and very satisfying
Audio: Amazingly good. The announcer is great.
Longevity: Havent stopped playing it yet, and I dont think I will soon
Interface & Usability: Arcade sort of interface. You'll get used to it.
Packaging & Docs: Reasonable manual. Codes arent listed
Bugs & Problems: Why cant my grIps work?

Copyright © Barak Engel for the Games Domain Review, 1997 . All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Screenshots on this page were captured using DX-Grab.

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