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NBA Jam: On Fire Edition

NBA Jam: On Fire Edition Servers Online; Roster Update Available

NBA Jam: On Fire Edition Servers Online; Roster Update Available

As discussed in Episode #430 of the NLSC Podcast, the long-dormant NBA Jam: On Fire Edition servers have been unexpectedly reactivated. If you fire up the game on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, or Xbox One, you’ll be able to establish a connection, and accept the online terms and conditions. After that, you’ll be able to see the leaderboards, as well as the number of users who are currently online.

You’ll also be able to download the last roster update for the game, if you don’t already have it. This requires going to the Online Arena, which will prompt the game to check the rosters, and then update them if need be. The roster updates added a handful of players from the Class of 2011 to the game, including Kyrie Irving. It also accounted for player movement accurate as of the 2013 season, and updated a handful of ratings.

Note that to access the Online Arena on Xbox 360/Xbox One, you’ll need an Xbox Live Gold subscription. If you don’t have an active subscription but just want to grab the update, you can always purchase a one month subscription and then cancel the renewal. While you’ll lose access to the Online Arena, you’ll keep the updated rosters as long as you don’t delete your data.

Obviously this also means that online multiplayer is available once again, though judging by the reported number of users online, you may have difficulty finding a game. Of course, if word spreads and the NBA Jam: On Fire Edition servers remain active, the scene could soon be jumping again. If so, there may be opportunities to unlock some of the online Trophies/Achievements, if you haven’t already done so.

We’ll keep an eye on the situation with the NBA Jam: On Fire Edition servers, and report on any further changes. In the meantime however, this unexpected but very welcome development has provided an opportunity to download a long-lost update, and potentially breathe new life into a fantastic release. If you own NBA Jam: OFE and are missing the updated rosters, I’d recommend looking into this ASAP!

NLSC Podcast #430: Return of the Server

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From courtside of the virtual hardwood, it’s Episode #430 of the NLSC Podcast!

During a session of NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, we made the exciting discovery that the servers appear to be reactivated! We’re hoping it isn’t temporary, and note a few other games we’d like to see receive online support again. A vague Tweet from EA has invited those of us hoping for NBA Live’s return to speculate once more. This leads us to discuss our concerns about influencers giving a new NBA Live game a fair chance, if and when it comes out. A clip from the archives prompts us to reflect on The Jordan Challenge in NBA 2K11, and the attention to detail that was paid to Michael Jordan’s return to video games. We also answer a question about whether games have become too realistic, and open up the mailbag to talk about our favourite highlights, real and virtual.

To get involved with the mailbag or to provide any feedback on the show, hit us up in the comments, reach out on social media, or post here in the NLSC Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. You can also find the show on our YouTube channel, along with the rest of our video content. As always, thanks for tuning in, and go get buckets!

NLSC Podcast #421: Arcade Basketball Games Are On Fire!

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From courtside of the virtual hardwood, it’s Episode #421 of the NLSC Podcast!

We love sim basketball titles, but we also have a great deal of affection for arcade games as well. Recent sessions with the underrated NBA Hangtime, and a brief stream of NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, lead us to reflect on some of the best and worst releases in the genre. As always, we also catch up on other games we’ve been playing over the past week, including NBA 2K22, NBA Showdown, and NBA 2K14. One of us has also added a true gem to their collection, leaving the other to feel a tad envious! In this week’s mailbag, we’re talking about our go-to plays in various basketball video games, and one-off hoops titles that deserved a sequel (or possibly even a series).

To get involved with the mailbag or to provide any feedback on the show, hit us up in the comments, reach out on social media, or post here in the NLSC Forum! For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. You can also find the show on our YouTube channel, along with the rest of our video content. As always, thanks for tuning in, and go get buckets!

NLSC Podcast #398: Can We Get A Transparency Badge?

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Episode #398 of the NLSC Podcast is out now! Derek (aka Dee4Three) and I are your hosts for this weekly podcast that’s all about basketball gaming.

Despite some technical difficulties, we managed to play the first game in our semi-final matchup in the NLSC NBA Live 10 Tournament! We also still can’t help but wonder about retro modding possibilities for the PS3 version of NBA Live 10, especially with roster files being transferrable between real hardware and the emulator. Elsewhere, one of us has unlocked the NBA Street team in NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, but sadly they’re not quite as good as one might hope. After following up on a topic from last week by reading out some listener suggestions for re-branding NBA Live, we discuss the controversy surrounding Badges in NBA 2K22 Current Gen. Unfortunately, 2K has once again lacked transparency and tact in addressing the issue. We also make future plans for the virtual hardwood.

Join in the conversation in the comments below, or here in the Forum! Additionally, feel free to hit us up with any feedback on the episode, as well as mailbag questions and topic suggestions for future shows. For more information on the NLSC Podcast including episode guides, check out this page in our Wiki. The show also comes out on our YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe for future episodes and other video content.

PlayStation 3 Store To Remain Open; NBA Jam: OFE Still Available

PlayStation 3 Store To Remain Open

There’s some great news regarding the continued availability of NBA Jam: On Fire Edition on PlayStation 3. Following on from the announcement that the PlayStation 3 Store would be closing on August 27th 2021, Sony have since elected to keep the Store open for PS3, as well as PS Vita. The PSP Store will still close on July 2nd this year.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that NBA Jam: On Fire Edition will be available indefinitely. There’s still a chance it will be removed from the PlayStation 3 Store and Xbox Live Marketplace at some point in the future. However, as long as those platforms remain open and the listings are active, you can search for NBA Jam: OFE and purchase it. There’s certainly less of a ticking clock now that the PlayStation 3 Store will remain open.

If you’re a collector and/or an avid arcade basketball gamer, I definitely recommend NBA Jam: On Fire Edition for PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360. Please note that the servers are offline, removing online play and the roster updates that the game received. It’s nevertheless one of the best games in the NBA Jam series though, and still a lot of fun to dust off today, even with the default rosters.

PlayStation 3 Store Closing; Grab NBA Jam: OFE While You Can

NBA Jam: OFE Leaving With PlayStation 3 Store Closing

In case you missed the announcement late last month, Sony has confirmed that they will be closing the Store for PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation Portable, on August 27th, 2021. Gamers will still be able to download titles and content they’ve already purchased, but no new purchases can be made after that date.

Of particular interest to basketball gamers is NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, which was a digital exclusive release for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Following the closing of the PlayStation 3 Store on August 27th, NBA Jam: OFE will no longer be available to purchase. As such, if you want to add the game to your collection, you’re advised to pick it up ASAP.

My personal recommendation, as both a basketball video game collector and NBA Jam aficionado, is that On Fire Edition is definitely worth picking up. The servers are no longer online which means that the roster updates it received will no longer come through, but there’s still a bevy of content to enjoy. In my opinion, it’s the best game in the NBA Jam series, and one of the best arcade hoops titles period.

Incidentally, NBA Jam: On Fire Edition is also still available on Xbox 360. The removal of old games from online marketplaces is a contentious issue among retro gamers, and one that we discussed in Episode #368 of the NLSC Podcast. In any case, if you still don’t own NBA Jam: OFE and are thinking of picking it up on PS3, be sure to act fast as it won’t be available beyond August.

New NBA Jam Game Coming in the Not Too Distant Future?

NBA Jam: On Fire Edition: Knicks vs Raptors

As reported by Operation Sports, it seems that we might be seeing a new NBA Jam game at some point in the not too distant future. Responding to a question on Twitter, the game’s legendary announcer, Tim Kitzrow, mentioned that a deal is “in the works”.

While this is by no means confirmation that a new NBA Jam is coming out – in 2018 or otherwise – it’s certainly promising news. If nothing else, it sounds as though EA Sports does have some interest in developing another NBA Jam title. With the 2010 reboot being a solid game, and On Fire Edition being one of the best arcade basketball games to date, I for one would welcome a new instalment for the current generation.

We’ll be sure to post further details if and when an official announcement is made. In the meantime, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below, as well as join in the discussion here in the NLSC Forum.

The Friday Five: 5 Best Modes in Basketball Games

The Friday Five

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Friday Five! The Friday Five is a feature that I post every Friday in which I give my thoughts on a topic that’s related to NBA Live, NBA 2K, and other basketball video games, as well as the real NBA, and other areas of interest to our community. The feature is presented as either a list of five items, or in the form of a Top 5 countdown. This week’s Five is a list of what I would consider to be the best modes we’ve seen in basketball games so far.

With the holiday season upon us and Christmas just a few days away, I’m in good spirits, and I hope that you all are, too. Generally speaking, I like to mix up the topics and tone of The Friday Five, alternating between celebration, critique, interesting trivia, and thoughtful discussion of basketball video games. With this being the season of goodwill, I’m definitely in the mood to talk about something more positive in regards to basketball gaming. After all, I’m sure that many of us will be hitting the virtual hardwood whenever we can over the next few weeks, sinking hours into our favourite game modes.

As such, this week I’m offering up my picks for the best modes in basketball gaming to date. Not to harp too much on something I’ve said many times before, but while the gameplay experience is paramount, deep modes are what keep us hooked on a game until the next one comes out (and sometimes, even beyond that). It’s hard to pick just five, as there have been some exceptional modes in basketball games over the years, each catering to different tastes. I’ve personally had fun with a variety of modes throughout several releases, and I know that many of you can say the same. I would nominate these five modes as being the best of the bunch, in no particular order.

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NLSC Podcast – Episode #135

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We’re a little late this week, but Arcane and I weren’t about to let our digital broadcasting streak end so easily. As such, Episode #135 of the NLSC Podcast is out now; tune in for the latest discussion on NBA Live 16, NBA 2K16, the past week in the NBA, and a couple of other topics!

On this week’s show…

  • A new roster has come through for NBA Live 16, but the latest update still leaves something to be desired.
  • On the other hand, a huge patch has come through for NBA 2K16 on PS4. The PC and X1 patches are still on the way.
  • Speaking of the Xbox One, NBA Jam: On Fire Edition is on the newly announced list of backwards compatible games. We discuss the possibility of the game coming to PlayStation 4 as well.
  • If nothing else, forthcoming backwards compatibility with the PlayStation 2 might allow us to play NBA Street 1-3 on Sony’s latest console.
  • We’ve got a listener question this week: Would we consider buying a Steam machine?
  • Stephen Curry has passed his father in career threes, as he and the Golden State Warriors continue to have a fantastic start to the season. We discuss their success so far, and consider the comparisons to great teams and players from the past.
  • The Philadelphia 76ers, on the other hand, continue to lose. When will the tanking end?
  • Kevin McHale has been fired following the Houston Rockets’ slow start. We consider whether the move was fair, or made too early.
  • Speaking of coaches in the hot seat, George Karl is butting heads with DeMarcus Cousins and GM Vlade Divac. Do we think he’ll last the season?
  • We wrap up Episode #135 of the NLSC Podcast with some more interesting stats.

Click Play to listen to the show!

Have some thoughts on the latest episode? Sound off in the comments below, or here in the Forum. Also, if there’s a topic you’d like us to discuss on the next episode of the NLSC Podcast, feel free to hit us up in this thread.

Beat Jao #6: Free Basketball

Do you think you can beat me? Each week I am going to challenge the community to do something that I have already done. It could be taking a better screenshot, getting a better play, doing something with a specific player or team, or even make a better mod. I have no plan for this series, but I am going to try and make sure that these challenges shouldn’t take more than a half hour to complete.

Superstitions and sports go hand in hand. I know I am the reason the Celtics won in 2008 because I never watched a Boston field go hit the net, but I’ve noticed a weird happening with the games my wife watches. Pretty much every NBA or NCAA game she sees the end of, real or virtual, will end up going into overtime.

So this week I am challenging you to get as many overtime periods as possible in a single game. Unfortunately I couldn’t get her to watch me film a Beat Jao challenge, so I was only able to get 1 Overtime, so hopefully this should be another easy week for you. No restrictions on settings, teams, or rosters. Just don’t use trainers or cheat. You can view highlights of my attempt, get more details, and learn how to properly say our current leader’s username in the video below. Remember to submit your scores in this Forum Thread, in the comments of this post, or on the YouTube video.

And yes! stockalone1232 is our new overall leader, by 1 point! Congratulations to him and it will be interesting to see if he can hold on to that slim lead for next week. Check out the full leaderboards for last week and overall by hitting Read More.

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Beat Jao #5: One Man Takeover

Do you think you can beat me? Each week I am going to challenge the community to do something that I have already done. It could be taking a better screenshot, getting a better play, doing something with a specific player or team. I have no plan for this series, but I am going to try and make sure that these challenges shouldn’t take more than a half hour to complete.

We are going back to the roots of Beat Jao, well at least in terms of being terrible for those who are lactose intolerant. This week I want you to go out and score as many points with one player in a 2 minute quarter game. No overtime, you must win, and no one else on your team may score any points. So if you get into a late game situation, you must miss those free throws with other players. Difficulty and other settings are up to you.

Apart from PS4 NBA game bundle, which comes with both NFS Underground and PSA World Tour Squash its worth noting that limited time offer on our website thas with 100 three REAL SQUASH RACKET included into package. We’ll take this opportunity to thank EA Sports and our local squash rackets supplier Sports Uncle for providing this signed pieces to 100 lucky gamers.

After a few issues with NBA Live 14 and the PlayStation 4’s recording ‘feature’ (read: headache), I ended up going back to the cheesiest of cheese for PC mods, NBA Jam 2K14: He’s On Fire. In 8 minutes of gameplay I scored 40 points with Steve Francis from the ’02-’03 Rockets. I chose them because there are no restrictions on playing defense, so Yao Ming plus no goaltending was helpful for getting me extra possessions, fast. For all the details on the challenge check the video below, and remember to submit your scores in this Forum Thread, in the comments of this post, or on the YouTube video.

Congratulations to cool1324 who claimed to shut out LeBron James with his MyCAREER player last week. Hit Read More to see the rest of the leaderboard for last week and the overall standings.

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The Friday Five: 5 Biggest Leaps in Basketball Video Game Sequels

The Friday Five

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Friday Five! This is a feature that I post every Friday in which I give my thoughts on a topic that’s related to basketball video games, the real NBA or another area of interest to our community, either as a list of five items or in the form of a Top 5 countdown.

Like any enthusiastic gaming community, we sink a considerable amount of time into the basketball video games that we play, to the point where we know them inside and out. We know what we like, we know what we don’t like, and we ultimately know what kind of experience we want to get out of them. As consumers, we understandably want to see constant improvement, as well as get value for our money.

Of course, while it’s important that we maintain a critical eye, at times we can be too cynical to see some of the genuine improvements in basketball video games. Despite the challenge that all annual sports games face in the form of a compressed development cycle, we’ve seen basketball titles that have shown considerable improvement over their immediate predecessors. To that end, I’m counting down what I feel are some of the biggest year-to-year leaps in basketball gaming. Let’s get started with number five.

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The Friday Five: My 5 Favourite Basketball Video Game Commercials

The Friday Five

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Friday Five! This is a feature that I post every Friday in which I give my thoughts on a topic that’s related to basketball video games, the real NBA or another area of interest to our community, either as a list of five items or in the form of a Top 5 countdown.

I’m going with a lighter topic for The Friday Five this week, as I list my top five favourite basketball video game commercials. No doubt I’ll be back to covering topics with a little more substance sooner rather than later, but I thought it would be fun to take a look back at some memorable advertisements for NBA Live, NBA 2K and NBA Jam that got us talking about the games, or at the very least were entertaining to watch.

Just to clarify before I begin the countdown, I’m picking commercials and promotional spots here, as opposed to pure gameplay trailers. Including both in the one countdown would make for a long list and some very difficult choices, so picking my five favourite gameplay trailers is a topic for another day. With that said, here are my 5 Favourite Basketball Video Game Commercials!

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The Friday Five: 5 Reasons I Want Another NBA Jam Game

Blake Griffin in NBA Jam: On Fire Edition

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Friday Five! This is a feature that I post every Friday in which I give my thoughts on a topic that’s related to basketball video games, the real NBA or another area of interest to our community, either as a list of five items or in the form of a Top 5 countdown.

As JaoSming noted in the Tuesday Triple, it’s been a while since an arcade basketball title was released. A little while ago, we were teased by the prospect of a new NBA Jam on the game’s official Twitter page, by way of an “unauthorised” Tweet that has since been deleted. While EA Sports currently has no announcements regarding the future of the NBA Jam series, I’m hoping that we will indeed see a new NBA Jam game sooner rather than later.

The overarching reason of course is that I’m a big fan of NBA Jam from way back in the day and as long as I’m gaming, I’m interested in seeing new releases from my favourite series (incidentally, I’m still waiting on that Fallout 4 announcement, Bethesda). I do have a few specific thoughts on the matter though, so without any further ado, here are five reasons why I want another NBA Jam game.

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No New NBA Jam Game On The Horizon After All

Following up on our post a couple of days ago about a Tweet possibly hinting at a new NBA Jam coming out at some point in the near future, it appears as though we shouldn’t get our hopes up just yet. GameSpot reached out to EA Sports and was told that the Tweet in question was “unauthorised”, with EA further stating that they “do not have any announcements to make about NBA Jam at this time”. The Tweet has since been deleted.

While EA’s description of the Tweet as “unauthorised” does invite the suggestion that the developer is perhaps conducting internal discussions about releasing another NBA Jam and will ultimately be gauging fan interest in a new game, that is merely speculation at this point. While it wouldn’t be surprising if another Jam game was released at some point due to the series’ popularity and EA owning the rights to the name, nothing appears to be imminent. Should that change, we’ll of course post any details as they emerge.