Basketball Games Without LeBron James
There are plenty of ballers I'd rather be than one who refers to himself in the third person as "King James," demands a one-hour ESPN special called "The Decision" and stresses out the peace-loving citizens of Ohio.
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By Marissa Meli July 9, 2010 |
Slam City With Scottie Pippen
The Sega CD was amazing for many reasons, but mostly the full-motion video that gave us games like Sewer Shark. Slam City With Scottie Pippen gifted us with FMV comedy basketball. Requiring minor controller input, Pippy's game pitted players against urban basket-hoopers like Fingers and Juice (a lady!) before finally fill up their respect meter and get a chance to face off against a series of cut scenes featuring #33. Plus the dude sings his own theme song. "I'll be dunkin' like donuts!"
Bill Laimbeer's Combat Basketball
In the year 2030, former NBA bad-boy Bill Laimbeer will be 73. He will also be flesh-dunking on sucker-ass b-ball robots as the only human basketball player left on Earth. Combat Basketball is a full-contact sport with weapons, bombs, and no refs. Just the way Laimbeer likes it.
Jordan vs. Bird: One on One
The spiritual sequel to Dr. J and Larry Bird Go One on One, Jordan vs. Bird is fondly remembered but actually lame. Though they may be the only two players who mattered in any sport ever, playing spastic half-court one-one-one in three skimpy modes gets really boring really fast.
Double Dribble
Double Dribble had a better name in Japan (Exciting Basket), but its awesomeness was All-American. The year was 1986, the era of hinder-hugging short-shorts, and wrinkly pretend cowboy Ronald Reagan was in office. The time could not have been more right for a game that featured performances of the Star-Spangled Banner (the anthem's first appearance at arcades) and righteous slam dunk cut scenes.
