NBA Fastbreak '98
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{Short description|1997 video game}}
{{Infobox VG
|title = NBA Fastbreak '98
NBA Action 98
|image = NBA Fastbreak '98 PlayStation.jpg
|caption = Cover featuring the Chicago Bulls vs the Utah Jazz from the 1997 NBA Finals
|developer = Visual Concepts
|publisher = {{vgrelease|NA|Midway Games (PS)|EU|GT Interactive (PS)|WW|Sega (PC, SAT)}}
|director =
|designer =
|composer = Mark Chosak
|engine =
|released = {{vgrelease|NA|October 28, 1997 (PC, SAT){{cite web |author=GameSpot staff |date=October 31, 1997 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/vgs-game-calendar/1100-2467419/ |title=VGS Game Calendar [date mislabeled as "April 26, 2000"] |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19990422091838/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_10/31_vcal/index.html |archivedate=April 22, 1999 |url-status=live |accessdate=December 12, 2020}}{{cite web |last=Johnston |first=Chris |date=October 28, 1997 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-ships-pc-and-saturn-action/1100-2467965/ |title=Sega Ships PC and Saturn Action [date mislabeled as "April 26, 2000"] |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19990420163047/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_10/28_pcsat/index.html |archivedate=April 20, 1999 |url-status=live |accessdate=December 13, 2020}}|NA|November 21, 1997 (PS){{cite web |author=GameSpot staff |date=November 21, 1997 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/vgs-game-calendar/1100-2467459/ |title=VGS Game Calendar [date mislabeled as "April 26, 2000"] |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19990224225026/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_11/21_vcal/index.html |archivedate=February 24, 1999 |url-status=live |accessdate=December 11, 2020}}|EU|1998 (PS, SAT)}}
|genre = Sports simulation
|modes = Single player
|platforms = Microsoft Windows, Sega Saturn, PlayStation
}}
NBA Fastbreak '98 is a basketball simulator released for the Sony PlayStation in 1997. It takes place during the 1997-98 National Basketball Association season. It was published by Midway Games and GT Interactive. Originally announced under the title "Hardwood Heroes",{{cite magazine |title=Hardwood Heroes: Midway Embraces Realism and Slows Down the Pace |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=99 |date=October 1997 |page=188}}{{cite magazine |author=Johnny Ballgame |title=Sports Insider Previews: NBA Hardwood Heroes |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=109 |date=October 1997 |page=160}}{{cite magazine |title=NBA Fastbreak '98 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=101 |date=December 1997 |page=93 |quote=Midway is very close to releasing NBA Fastbreak '98 (the game formerly known as Hardwood Heroes).}} the game was released with minimal changes as NBA Action 98 on Sega Saturn and Microsoft Windows, published by Sega, with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers as the cover athlete.https://www.nba-live.com/ww-nba-action-98-retrospective/{{cite magazine |title=NBA Action '98: Sega Juices Up their Roundball Flagship |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=100 |date=November 1997|page=51 |quote=If you look closely, however, you might recognize that this game is nearly identical to Midway's NBA Fast Break (formerly known as Hardwood Heroes), which is the PlayStation version of this game.}} Another version was being developed by Z-Axis for the Nintendo 64 under the title "NBA Fast Break 64", with a prospective November 1997 release,{{cite magazine |title=News Bits |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=109 |date=October 1997 |page=32}} but it was cancelled.
Gameplay
NBA FastBreak '98 uses icon passing. Players can choose from a simulation mode or a more simplified "arcade mode".{{cite magazine |title=Preview: NBA Action '98|magazine=Sega Saturn Magazine|issue=27|publisher=Emap International Limited|date=January 1998|pages=36–37}} Unusual for a basketball game of its time, it also has a practice mode which allows players to learn moves outside the pressures of a game.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| align = left
| PC = true
| PS = true
| SSAT = true
| na = true
| CNG_PC = 2/10{{cite web |last=Young |first=Jeffrey Adam |date=February 17, 1998 |url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1503,00.html |title=NBA Action 98 (PC) |website=Gamecenter |publisher=CNET |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000816100335/http://www.gamecenter.com/Reviews/Item/0,6,0-1503,00.html |archivedate=August 16, 2000 |url-status=dead |access-date=August 8, 2021}}
| CGSP_PC = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |last=Royal |first=Tim |year=1997 |url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/009/044/nba_action_review.html |title=NBA Action [98] |website=Computer Games Strategy Plus |publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030704233131/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/009/044/nba_action_review.html |archivedate=July 4, 2003 |url-status=dead |accessdate=December 12, 2020}}
| CGW_PC = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Kaiafas |first=Tasos |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_163.pdf |title=NBA Shoot Out (NBA Action 98) |magazine=Computer Gaming World |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=163 |date=February 1998 |pages=195–96 |accessdate=December 12, 2020}}
| EGM_PS = 6.875/10{{cite magazine |last1=Kujawa |first1=Kraig |last2=Hsu |first2=Dan |last3=Ricciardi |first3=John |last4=Rickards |first4=Kelly |url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly103/page/n121/mode/2up |title=Review Crew: NBA Fastbreak '98 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=103 |date=February 1998 |page=118 |accessdate=December 11, 2020}}{{efn|In Electronic Gaming Monthly{{'}}s review of the PlayStation version, Kraig Kujawa gave it a score of 7.5/10, Dan Hsu gave it 7/10, John Ricciardi gave it 6.5/10, and Kelly Rickards gave it 6.5/10.}}
| GI_PS = 8/10{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=jan98&doc=fastbrk |title=NBA Fastbreak '98 |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=FuncoLand |issue=57 |date=January 1998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990914172220/http://www.gameinformer.com/cgi-bin/review.cgi?sys=psx&path=jan98&doc=fastbrk |archive-date=September 14, 1999 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 11, 2020}}
| GameFan_PS = 88%{{cite magazine |author1=Joe Kidd |author2=The Rookie |url=https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_5_Issue_12/page/n119/mode/2up |title=NBA Fastbreak [98] and NBA Action [98] |magazine=GameFan |publisher=Metropolis Media |volume=5 |issue=12 |date=December 1997 |page=114 |accessdate=December 12, 2020}}{{efn|In GameFan{{'}}s viewpoint of the PlayStation version, one critic gave it 88, and the other 87.}}
| GameFan_SSAT = 86%{{efn|In GameFan{{'}}s viewpoint of the Saturn version, two critics gave it each a score of 86.}}
| GameRev_PC = B{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Tom |date=February 1998 |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33147-nba-action-98-review |title=NBA Action '98 Review (PC) |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040220184735/http://www.game-revolution.com/games/pc/sports/nbaaction.htm |archivedate=February 20, 2004 |url-status=live |accessdate=December 12, 2020}}
| IGN_PS = 4/10{{cite web |last=Boor |first=Jay |date=November 20, 1997 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1997/11/21/nba-fast-break |title=NBA Fast Break [sic] |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=December 11, 2020}}
| OPM_PS = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite magazine |title=NBA Fastbreak '98 |magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine |publisher=Ziff Davis |volume=1 |issue=5 |date=February 1998}}
| PCGUS_PC = 87%{{cite magazine |last=Smolka |first=Rob |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/142.html |title=NBA Action 98 |magazine=PC Gamer |publisher=Imagine Media |volume=5 |issue=6 |date=June 1998 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000311051837/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/142.html |archivedate=March 11, 2000 |url-status=dead |accessdate=December 12, 2020}}
| rev1 = Sega Saturn Magazine
| rev1_SSAT = 91%{{cite magazine |last=Cutlack |first=Gary |url=https://archive.org/details/Sega_Saturn_Magazine_Issue_28_1998-02_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n73/mode/2up |title=Review: NBA Action 98 |magazine=Sega Saturn Magazine |publisher=EMAP |issue=28 |date=February 1998 |pages=74–75 |access-date=August 8, 2021}}
}}
Most reviews for the game ranged from middling to moderately positive. Critics overwhelmingly praised the advanced and detailed graphics, but many also noted that they come at the cost of low game speed, making the gameplay feel sluggish. The sound was also widely criticized, especially the weak crowd noises, which Jay Boor of IGN compared to a "fizzled three-inch speaker", as well as remarking upon the poor quality of the rim sounds. However, critics widely praised the controls, the practice mode, and the numerous options for customizing the game. Sega Saturn Magazine added that since the options screens are kept simple, there is no loading when making changes, which encourages using these features.
Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) and GameSpot{{'}}s reviews for the Saturn version commented that, while not in any way spectacular, the game is solid and enjoyable and, with the Saturn having had a fairly weak lineup of basketball games, it stands as the best basketball game on the Saturn. While opining that the PlayStation version is slightly better due to its sharper graphics, EGM{{'}}s review for this version was less enthusiastic, saying that the PlayStation offers superior basketball video games. Contrarily, both GamePro and Sega Saturn Magazine{{'}}s reviews for the Saturn release considered it to be an excellent game even in absolute terms, with GamePro saying it "delivers with more authority than a Shaq tip-slam!"{{cite magazine |author=The Rookie |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_102_January_1998/page/n115/mode/2up |title=NBA Action '98 |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=112 |date=January 1998 |page=116}}{{efn|GamePro gave the Saturn version 4.0/5 for graphics, 4.0/5 for control, 3.5/5 for sound, and 4.5/5 for fun factor.}} and Sega Saturn Magazine naming it their "game of the month".{{cite magazine |title=Out Now |magazine=Sega Saturn Magazine|issue=29|publisher=Emap International Limited|date=March 1998|page=10}} A different GamePro critic reviewed the PlayStation version and had a more middling response, commenting that "... FastBreak does a good job of capturing the NBA experience, but it's missing the attitude that pushes NBA Live to the top. Dunks aren't slammed with authority, players don't get shoved to the ground very often, and the game sometimes turns into a cherry-pickin' battle as long passes lead to some easy baskets."{{cite magazine |author=Johnny Ballgame |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_103_February_1998/page/n109/mode/2up |title=FastBreak's Rookie Season Is Solid, Yet Unspectacular |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=113 |date=February 1998 |page=104}}{{efn|GamePro gave the PlayStation version 4.5/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, 4.0/5 for control, and 4.0/5 for fun factor.}} GameSpot also had a different critic review the PlayStation version, who was more positive, calling it a "good first attempt", and commenting that while the game is not the all-around best basketball game on the market, it was strong on enough points to be a viable contender against its competition.
The Saturn version was nominated for the "Best Saturn Game" award at the CNET Gamecenter Awards for 1997, which went to Virtual On: Cyber Troopers.{{cite web |author=Gamecenter staff |date=January 28, 1998 |url=http://gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards97/Off/ss04ca.html |title=The Gamecenter Awards for 1997! (Saturn, Part 2) |website=Gamecenter |publisher=CNET |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20001002043841/http://gamecenter.com/Features/Exclusives/Awards97/Off/ss04ca.html |archivedate=October 2, 2000 |url-status=dead |accessdate=October 27, 2021}} During the inaugural Interactive Achievement Awards, the PC version received a nomination for the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' "PC Sports Game of the Year" award,{{cite web |url=http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardupdate.htm |title=The Award - Updates |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19980615090128/http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardupdate.htm |archivedate=June 15, 1998 |url-status=dead |accessdate=November 3, 2021}} which was ultimately given to FIFA: Road to World Cup 98.{{cite web |url=http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardwin98.htm |title=The Award - Winners |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19980615090115/http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardwin98.htm |archivedate=June 15, 1998 |url-status=dead |accessdate=November 3, 2021}}
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Notes
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References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{moby game|id=/nba-action-98|name=NBA Action 98 and NBA Fastbreak '98}}
{{Kobe Bryant}}
Category:Cancelled Nintendo 64 games
Category:PlayStation (console) games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Video games developed in the United States