Basketball Classics
- December 18, 2019
- Namo Gamo
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"Basketball Classics" is a 5 on 5 pro basketball game that brings the nostalgia of 8-bit sports games to the present. It features side-scrolling, arcade-style action with simplified 3-button gameplay and seamless play calling. With over 175 teams and 1000+ players with individualized attributes, players can unlock secret teams and legends in the story mode. The game is free of microtransactions and is a love letter to the golden era of sports games.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game captures the nostalgic feel of classic basketball games like Double Dribble, providing simple yet addictive gameplay.
- The pixel art and soundtrack are well-crafted, enhancing the retro experience and making it visually appealing.
- The developer is responsive and actively listens to player feedback, which bodes well for future updates and improvements.
- Gameplay can feel simplistic and repetitive, lacking depth in strategy and player movement.
- Some mechanics, such as dunking and play calling, can be awkward and may detract from the overall experience.
- The game may not provide enough content or challenge for players looking for a more robust basketball simulation.
- gameplay40 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its fast-paced, dynamic action and simple controls, making it easy to pick up yet challenging to master. While it incorporates nostalgic mechanics reminiscent of classic NES/SNES basketball games, some players feel certain aspects, like dunking mechanics, could use refinement. Overall, the game offers a fun and engaging experience, particularly in multiplayer settings, though it may benefit from additional polish and depth.
“Gameplay is fun - easy to pick up but tough to master.”
“This is a fun little basketball game with just enough deep gameplay to make it easy to pick up but hard to master.”
“The gameplay is simple but has lots of depth, and each team has their strengths and weaknesses exactly like their real-life counterparts.”
“I only say 'might' because the gameplay is pretty simplistic, like a souped-up double dribble on the NES, with a bunch of mechanisms from other games of the NES/SNES era thrown in.”
“Unfortunately, a few of the mechanics leave something to be desired.”
“What I found lacking was the gameplay.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the amazing visuals and aesthetics, particularly in cutscenes and player portraits, while others appreciate the retro 8-bit style that captures nostalgia effectively. However, there are calls for more modern graphics, with some players expressing a preference for a 16-bit design over the current 8-bit visuals. Overall, the game's art style is well-received, contributing to a fun and engaging experience for fans of retro gaming.
“The visuals, both on court and in cutscenes, between scenes, etc. are really amazing.”
“Graphics nail the retro style perfectly.”
“I love the retro feel to the game - the music, the graphics.”
“Way too fast... at least if you base your game on the gameplay, with zero graphics level, make it realistic.”
“Forget about the ultra shaped graphics or the ultra Dolby sound.”
“I won't dive too much into graphics because what you see is what you get.”
- story12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's story mode has received positive feedback for its engaging narrative and the ability to assemble dream teams, providing a nostalgic experience as players face off against legendary basketball players. Reviewers appreciate the unlockable content and customization options, though some express a desire for additional challenges and features in the story mode. Overall, the story mode is seen as a fun and integral part of the game, enhancing the single-player experience.
“Fantastic game - loved the career mode and story.”
“Very fun and old school story mode where you face off against 2 generations of the greatest basketball players and teams, picking up star players for your own squad along the way.”
“There's an insane plot twist after the first 5 games.”
“Content-wise, you have a story mode to unlock more teams which will keep you busy for a few hours.”
“One or two more things I mentioned earlier: I would love to have more story mode challenges and some type of different unlockable item.”
“The story mode where you assemble the dream team(s) was awesome.”
- music10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic and catchy soundtrack, featuring retro sounds that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the dynamic changes in music throughout the game, including the engaging half-time shows and menu themes. While some suggest a more varied selection could improve it further, the overall sentiment is that the soundtrack is one of the game's standout features, contributing significantly to its charm.
“I love the selection of classic teams, the soundtrack (and how it changes depending on the half you are in), and the overall feel.”
“Second, the soundtrack is amazing with catchy songs (especially the menu theme) using retro sounds; this game really takes you back to the roots of gaming.”
“It has one of the best soundtracks ever created.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during long play sessions.”
“The soundtrack doesn't match the intensity of the gameplay, which can be quite disappointing.”
“I found the music to be underwhelming and not memorable, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users noting its stellar vibes and effective capture of a captivating aesthetic.
“The vibes and atmosphere are stellar.”
“It does a great job of capturing that look and atmosphere.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers a diverse selection of teams that enhances its replayability, making it enjoyable enough to share with friends and family. However, players express a desire for a create-a-team feature to further enrich the experience.
“There is a very deep stable of teams to play with, which adds to the replayability, but it would be great to see a create-a-team feature in the future.”
“It has replayability and is fun enough that I want to show it to my friends, and my kids think it is interesting.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the game's competitive nature, often leading to lively and entertaining interactions with friends during gameplay. The anticipation of online multiplayer is expected to amplify the fun and laughter even further.
“This game's competitive nature is what really makes it fun. I find myself constantly hooking up two controllers to my computer and playing against my friends, yelling at the screen and laughing. When online multiplayer is added, the competitive aspect will only become crazier and more awesome.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates excellent stability on the Steam Deck, with users reporting smooth performance and no significant issues.
“Runs great on the Steam Deck!”
“The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
“I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs, which makes for a smooth gaming experience.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization approach of this sports title is appreciated for its focus on gameplay rather than excessive microtransactions and casino elements, making it a suitable choice for players seeking a straightforward arcade-style basketball experience.
“If you're tired of sports titles focusing more on microtransactions and casinos, and you just want to drop in for some quick arcade-style basketball, then check this one out.”
“If you're tired of sports titles focusing more on microtransactions and casinos rather than gameplay, and you just want to enjoy some quick arcade-style basketball, then check this one out.”
