The console manufacturing world is split between two countries. Japan and the USA. It's not a bad thing. It's not a good thing. It's just the way things are.
Japanese consoles get Japanese style RPG's, Fighting games and Arcade Driving games. American consoles get American style RPG's, First Person Shooters and Sport Simulators. This isn't obviously a hard-and-fast rule - it's just the way things pan out.
3DO being an American console had Electronic Arts and Crystal Dynamics making sure that the home audience was well catered for in the sports department.
Golf games, soccer games, American football, baseball leaving just enough room for GTE Interactive to bring street basketball to the 3DO. "Jammit".
I'd like to lambaste this game - I hate sports simulators - but there is something addictive about this basketball 1-on-1 simulator. It is pretty good as a game. It's essence is fun and addictive.
Before you all pass-out from shock, the game is also in my opinion far from perfect. Take for example the characters. 3 to choose from. All of which were cliched up-to high-heaven. It is embarrassing just to look at them on the option screen. "Roxy" the busty blond one. "Chill" the angry looking black one. "Slade" the white one - who went to a Motley Crue concert in '87 and never filly recovered.
The animation is also ropey. Despite GTE Interactives fancy-pants digitizing studio each character seems to sport around four and a half frames of animation per character - which shrinks to one frame per character when they leap into "Hoop-cam". Don't, even, ask.
Each game is played for money. The amount of money determines the difficulty level.
So - You've chosen your character. Placed your bet. You now need to choose your game. There are 8 variations to choose from. All they do is alter the dynamics of the game. The number of points needed to win. How fouls are handled, that sort of thing. Once done, your into the game.
I prefer simple 1-on-1. Which meant first to 21 points and fouls are enforced. I bet $300 and I chose Roxy - in a hope her boobs would jiggle. They didn't. A wasted opportunity - no?
The game plays well and it's easy to get to grips with. Movement is easy and more importantly easy to follow. 3D games at the time could easily lose you in badly judged depth of field by the developer.
3D not being a problem for Jammit. Essentially Jammit is a 2D game.
The game features one basket ball hoop. 1 person defends, while the other attacks. Once a point is scored the players change roles.
It would have been nice to have upped the number of frames. It would have been nice if the gambling element had been expanded a little so a player could have had a purse and a profile. Some more imaginative character designs would not have a gone a miss and a sound track that didn't psychologically scar would have been a bonus.
Despite its flaws. Despite the animation. Despite the music. Despite the banality of the characters. You are going to like this one. I did. It's fun.
Rare? Yes. Very.
3DO Kid.
