NBA JAm multiplatform confirmed.

oh it gets even better. The PS3 / XBOX live version is free with the purchase of NBA Elite. IT has online something the Wii version does not. But lacks the superstar mode from the Wii version. EA is not selling the title by itself over the online distribution systems.

Quote :

When EA Sports announced the resurrection of the "NBA Jam" franchise back in January as a Wii exclusive title, Nintendo fans celebrated with shouts of "Boom-Shackalacka" while PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 gamers were left shaking their heads in disbelief.

Why wouldn't EA Sports bring one of the most popular gaming franchises of all time to the systems of choice for so many gamers?

Turns out, "NBA Jam" will be coming to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 after all, but not in the way anyone was expecting. In an unprecedented move, EA Sports is packing a free, one-time only download code for "Jam" in every copy of "NBA Elite 11", giving basketball fans two games for just $59.99 when the titles launch October 5.

Included in the downloadable version of "NBA Jam" will be three game modes -- Play Now, Classic Campaign, and Online (up to four players) -- meaning that the new Remix Tour featuring boss battles against legends like Magic Johnson is now exclusive to the Wii version of the game.

"We're still holding back the Remix Tour for the Wii consumer, and that's about 20 hours of gameplay," explains Jordan Edelstein, Vice President of Marketing for EA Sports. "But for the PS3 and 360, we want people to try 'Elite'. We feel like 'NBA Elite 11' is a great product and we want people to give it a chance and see all the changes we're making. So as a way to say thanks to these people, we are going to let them experience 'Jam'. It's not the full product, but it's a good portion of it.

"And the only way to play 'Jam' on the 360 and PS3 is by picking up 'Elite'. There's a one-time use code that will be in every copy of 'Elite', so you just go online and redeem it. We're not selling 'Jam' on PSN or Xbox Live. If you still want the full product, the full experience is on the Wii, but if you pick up 'Elite', you're still getting a good taste of it, especially with the inclusion of online play."

It will be interesting to watch sales as the "Elite"/"Jam" combo double teams the category favorite, "NBA 2K11", on store shelves.

"We're excited about what we have coming with 'Elite'" adds Edelstein. "It's a revolution of how basketball games as a whole will be played. We look at all of sports, and the basketball games as a whole, us and 2K, are the lowest rated sports games. We know we're number two, so we're the ones who can really take a crack at turning the gameplay upside down and not just changing things for change sake, but there's a better way to do this, there's a better way to play.

"'Elite' gives you a meaningful, different way to play a basketball video game, then when you throw 'Jam' into the mix, a game people are really geeked about, we feel like if you're a basketball fan, this is a great value."

http://espn.go.com/espn/thelife/vide...more=fullstory

The Wii version is the real deal. Full version with Remix Tour which is 20 hours of gameplay alone and other features exclusive to Wii. Still may have online and official price has not yet been released, so it may come out at less than $50.

The PS3/360 versions are the gimped versions, or glorified demos that include online play and can only get as a download, no actual game. A collector can buy that Wii version knowing that it will have substantial value down the road being it will be the only retail copy that can be resold.

I see this as a move that EA had to make to try to get their new NBA Elite game off the ground while still keeping good with the Wii owners. Of course if online doesn't make it that will upset some, but you're getting a lot more game for your buck.

This move has actually backfired already on EA from the HD console owners. They are crying foul for the way NBA Jam is being delivered on the PS3/360. I think they should be happy they are getting it at all. And who knows? EA may give them a retail version down the road too.

Hm... to me this is EA maybe thinking they made a mistake going exclusive and trying to weasel out of it.

Not typical at all of a company, eh? ;D

Streex wrote:

The Wii version is the real deal. Full version with Remix Tour which is 20 hours of gameplay alone and other features exclusive to Wii. Still may have online and official price has not yet been released, so it may come out at less than $50.

The PS3/360 versions are the gimped versions, or glorified demos that include online play and can only get as a download, no actual game. A collector can buy that Wii version knowing that it will have substantial value down the road being it will be the only retail copy that can be resold.

I see this as a move that EA had to make to try to get their new NBA Elite game off the ground while still keeping good with the Wii owners. Of course if online doesn't make it that will upset some, but you're getting a lot more game for your buck.

This move has actually backfired already on EA from the HD console owners. They are crying foul for the way NBA Jam is being delivered on the PS3/360. I think they should be happy they are getting it at all. And who knows? EA may give them a retail version down the road too.

lol?
Wii = $50 disc based title with the only extra being superstar mode
HD version = everything else for free?

Can you really sit there and think the Wii version is the best option?

Absolutely. First, we can only speculate $50 is the price tag. Also, if it is, you are getting 20 extra hours of gameplay, so it would be justified at that price. Nobody can say if online is going to be on Wii yet, so don't just assume it won't, especially after they reportedly have tried the Wii version online. Of course the Wii version is the best option. The others are lacking content. How can a version that isn't complete be the best option? Just because it's free doesn't make it better. I want it the way they invisioned it, not a sampling.

To me, NEITHER is complete if each has something the other doesn't.

Like Streex said though, if it does have online (Wii) then it will be the better buy, but you can bet yer ass its gonna be $50 Streex its EA.

OK, it will probably be $50. But you get tons more content. I mean, 20 hours of extra gameplay is 20 hours of extra gameplay.

So this is what it's like to double post, eh ZeldAnTales?

In the press release EA said this:

"If you still want the full product, the full experience is on the Wii"

I don't know about you guys, but when I buy a game, I want the full experience. By using the words 'full experience' I have to believe EA is going to bring online to the Wii version also. If that happens, case closed. There's no reason to buy a basketball game you don't want to get a basketball game you do want.

Which if you think about it, you're paying $60 for a glorified demo because anybody that likes sim basketball games is going to go with 2K''s title this year. It has Jordan.

The double-post is an unsettling occurrence, eh?

Here's how I read the quote: "Both consumer divisions (Wii and PS3/M$) please piss away your money on this game that promises to be identical to the old one with vamped up graphics and maybe the ability to play some snot nosed kid you've never met. We are confident you're all idiots who do not have the ability to discern re-hashed crap with... other crap."

J/k but seriously I think this is gonna suffer from Punch-Out syndrome and just not be worth $50 to me... UNLESS there is online play.

There is a very nice article on it in the new Nintendo Power with new screenshots. I'm getting hyped. Online or no online, I haven't played a new NBA Jam game in a long time and this should fill that void.

If there is no online what is there thats new to the table, Streex? I can see loving a franchise but there has only been 1 REAL NBA Jam so its hardly in anyones best interest to give it (especially being made by EA they fail constantly) the benefit of the doubt that it will be anything cool.

Online, at least I could play my friends from home.

New being the 20 hours of extra content Wii owners get. The Remix tour where you get to battle against NBA legends. Plus just being able to play with current players. The old game is fun still, but you have the old early 90's rosters. So you get current rosters, NBA greats of old, the remix tour, the campaign mode. A lot more than the Super NES version had. Online for me is just the icing on the cake.

You seem to be very hostile when it comes to EA. They can make some crappers but there are a number of EA games I have enjoyed.

I can't name 5 EA games I've liked.

But yeah, I hate EA and Ubisoft more than Sweet 'N' Low.

Confirmed no Wii online via EA twitter...

http://twitter.com/sk88z/status/23122648117

looks like the free version with NBA elite really is the best value.

Always the bearer of bad news Triz.

For me, the Wii version is still the version to get. Of course, if online is all you care about, then the $60 NBA Elite purchase just to get NBA Jam is what you'll do. I'm going to have a load of fun with all the other content the Wii version will offer, that the glorified online demo won't.

Online, like I've said in previous posts, is not as big to me as it is to some of you. But since neither version will have everything, consider both versions coming up short. It will be interesting to see how all this pans out for EA come tip-off.

Ah, Streex. Remember the good old days with Quinn, Nodnarb, and NBA Live 95? When the baby pulled everything out of the old games cabinet the other day, it was that game I picked up off the floor that got me to reminiscing.

Ah yes, a testament to the local multiplayer experience being superior to the online multiplayer experience. For reasons like this make me believe that NBA Jam will be even greater on Wii with friends over.

Im so pissed I bought the Wii version...

Ea announced yesterday that the game is coming out mid November as stand alone title for PS3 and 360 with all the features of Wii version + online....for the same price.

Wow I can't say I didn't see this coming, and so should you have, Triz!

The non-inclusion of Online play was the dumbest, clowniest, fuck-nuttiest decision I think they could have ever made.

Lets hope with the 3DS and the next console Nintendo will gain some hold on its online community, and come through with a robust online system.

Yeah, thanks for screwing us, EA.

So what does everyone thnk of the actual gameplay on this?

I've had some hands on time with the motion controls, and I have to say I thought they sucked. It doesn't feel like, say, Wii Sports Resorts Basketball, where a flick of your rist makes all the difference. This stiff waggle simply replaces a button press.

Now, thats not to say that the game isnt fun. Its pretty cool, the commentary is at times brilliantly hilarious, and the big head mode is obviously the best way to play.

With the announcement of online for PSN and Live, the Wii version CAN SUCK IT HARD.

Too harsh bro! I love this game! Screw online! I'm working local multiplayer to the bone and it's a blast. The motion control replaces button presses, this is true. No motion plus here. But I have to say...slamming my remote down to do a slam feels better than...pushing 'A'. Brings you into the experience more.

I love how easy it is to set up alleyoops. We're pulling these off all day. Unlocking legends...awesome. I haven't even dived into the other portions of the game yet. Love the difficulty. First 3 tries on medium with the game and could only close the gap to 3. Finally had to lower it to easy to stroke our egos. More practice needed here, but I love that I actually have to practice to get better at a game finally. I miss the days of difficult games. I miss trying over and over to accomplish something. I miss no more. I got NBA Jam.

Having an inaccurate flick of a wrist replace a button press is not more immersible, IMO. Its bothersome, and cumbersome to boot. Give me classic controller.

Still- this is not worth $50 to me. Its just... meh. Kirby and DK will keep me plenty more busy.

If it's a classic controller you want, it is compatible.