New Nintendo Power is On Fire with NBA Jam Details

The new February issue of Nintendo Power is reaching subscribers, and with it, an overview of what the eight-page article reveals about the upcoming Wii title from EA Sports.

First of all, the screenshots of the game look like the image at right. The faces are actual photograph captures on 3D bodies, with each character having multiple “faces:” three while running down the court, two for dunking, one positive, and one negative.

Of the reasoning behind the direction, Art Director Rob Hilson says “I’m scouring all the latest and greatest high-res sports photography, and when you search the stuff, it’s very evident that a lot of these guys pull the same faces for certain situations. Like Shaq? He always sticks out his tongue and crosses his eyes.”

Personally, I like it.

The Classic Controller isn’t mentioned, but there are options for either motion control with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, or holding the Wii Remote sideways. Of the motion controls, the team is trying to keep it simple: “swiping the controller from side-to-side executes an evasive crossover dribble on offense, and a steal attempt on defense.”

Meanwhile, shooting and blocking are a two-part gesture comprised of pulling up on the Wii Remote to jump, and flicking it forward to release the ball on offense or swat at it when playing defense. They note the second part isn’t required for defense, but it increases your chances of coming away from the encounter with the ball.

Everything else uses the same gestures, but with button modifiers, save passing, which is executed by a simple press of the A button.

Two modes are included: the first is the Classic Campaign, which works similarly to other NBA Jam games, with no rules besides the shot clock and goal tending. The other is Remix Tour, which was described as “different;” tweaking rules, cameras, and the core mechanics, for example. But as that part is still in flux, they declined to go into any great detail.

Creative Director Trey Smith says “A lot of it is about the razzle-dazzle, the rock-star atmosphere, the smoke and lasers and playing up the human highlight reel kind of stuff.”

There are numerous new dunks, including a spin-dunk which can evade shoving.

The article also includes a checklist of other stuff in the game:

• Fire
• Shattering backboard
• Cheats
• Flashing shoes
• Flashing ball
• Big Head mode
• Legends
• Playable mascots
• Secret characters

So far, it sounds just about like what everyone has been hoping for, though “corrupt referees” was unchecked on the list.

There’s no word on a release date yet, but that will likely come a little further down the line.

Be sure to check out the full feature in the February issue of Nintendo Power, volume 251, which has more details and an interview with NBA Jam creator Mark Turmell.