NBA Jam: On Fire Edition

 Xbox 360
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 37
  3. Negative: 4 out of 37

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  1. tlynde11
    Oct 5, 2011
    9
    This is everything I want out of a quirky, arcade-style basketball game and more. Setting the bar last year with their first release of an NBA Jam game in almost 15 years, the team at EA score big with this new update from last year's already solid title. Tim Kitzrow is back to make me laugh so hard at his commentary I have to occasionally stop and pause the game until I recover fromThis is everything I want out of a quirky, arcade-style basketball game and more. Setting the bar last year with their first release of an NBA Jam game in almost 15 years, the team at EA score big with this new update from last year's already solid title. Tim Kitzrow is back to make me laugh so hard at his commentary I have to occasionally stop and pause the game until I recover from laughing at his one-liners. Also returning, as the title suggests, are the most recent NBA rosters and players from today and from years past, returning as "Legends", who will play with a slew of wacky unlockable teams that are sure to keep you busy well until the NBA season will end (despite the lingering blackout...). New this year are improved graphics, with smoother animations and even sweeter visual effects (being on fire, new trick & dunk moves) that blow last year out of the water. Also updated are a few game changers: on top of being "on fire" by scoring 3 baskets in a row, Team Fire now sets you and your teammate "on fire" when you successfully complete 3 alley-oops in a row without letting the opposing team score. There's now also "Razzle Dazzle" moves implemented in the game, which take trick moves, shots and shoves and add a little flare to them in-game, such as rolling the ball on your shoulders or shooting the ball granny-style (which is absolutely gut-busting seeing for the first time). Campaign has now been renamed and redone, being named "Road Trip", in which you must beat each team in the NBA, with Bronze, Silver and Gold medals to win for each team depending on how many times you play that team. Being able to choose a team that fits your needs for each game you play is a step in a good direction from last year, which only allowed you to play as one team for every franchise file you saved, which tended to get boring. The last major addition is Jam Central, which contains a store to buy players and customizations for your game card, challenges to help you level up and use points in the store, and friend leaderboards. There are so many ways to level up in this game, it'll be hard to be stuck not knowing how to level up next.
    Feeling like you're a part of the player with and without the ball in a basketball game is essential, and it seems as though EA has learned a thing or two from last year. Despite the AI still being a bit on the soft side for more hardcore fans, there's plenty here to go around for everyone. For those who love being able to play basketball, but aren't interested in the learning curve that NBA 2K12 may have on new players, NBA Jam OFE has one of those "easy to learn, hard to master" attributes, which appeal to newcomers and experts alike, and for $15 on PSN and Xbox Live alike, the price is a hell of a lot better than what it was at a year ago, and so much more has been put in this year. If you liked the experience last year with NBA Jam, you owe it to yourself to at least try OFE as a trial, but if you're like me, you won't need to even try it. This is an impulse buy, and a needed one at that for a much more reasonable price.    … Expand
  2. TheChaser1985
    Nov 20, 2011
    8
    I played NBA Hangtime back in the day, which was basically Jam, but more in depth and I'm loving this game. It's super fun just like it used to be, but man, someone of the world mode challenges are hard. Like the dunking game vs Shaq and Howard. This game is a 9 for what it is. Simple and fun
  3. ReviewsYX
    Oct 5, 2011
    9
    NBA is a fast-paced old school basketball game which succeeds in what it aims at: Being a long-lasting arcade game which can be picked up and played by anyone. By 'long-lasting', I mean the play value on this is incredible, you can unlock hundreds of things of the store using the in-game currency called Jam Bucks, you can earn them by doing numerous challenges and winning games. In theNBA is a fast-paced old school basketball game which succeeds in what it aims at: Being a long-lasting arcade game which can be picked up and played by anyone. By 'long-lasting', I mean the play value on this is incredible, you can unlock hundreds of things of the store using the in-game currency called Jam Bucks, you can earn them by doing numerous challenges and winning games. In the graphics department, the game is solid: From players having huge heads to flames coming out there feet when playing well! The main highlight is the hilarious commentator who comes out with hilarious sayings such as 'Pancakes for everyone'. All in all, NBA jam is definitely worth the 1200 msp and I can see myself playing this for quite some time!… Expand
  4. Ryckag
    Oct 9, 2011
    10
    This game is just what I remember from the good old sega genesis days. The good old fun with even more great stuff. And at the right price. The over the top basketball experience with even more crazy frazes from Boom shaka laka guy.
  5. OASkittles
    Aug 12, 2012
    9
    I used to play the original NBA Jam on SNES. I loved that game . It was the only basketball game that was not boring. The generation after SNES and Genesis brought us NBA Jam Tournament Edition. That game...... well....... saddened me. The graphics were horrible and the difficulty was wayy to hard. It killed my hope for this franchise to be the end all be all basketball game. After yearsI used to play the original NBA Jam on SNES. I loved that game . It was the only basketball game that was not boring. The generation after SNES and Genesis brought us NBA Jam Tournament Edition. That game...... well....... saddened me. The graphics were horrible and the difficulty was wayy to hard. It killed my hope for this franchise to be the end all be all basketball game. After years and years of playing other basketball games during the PS2/Xbox era, I came across NBA Jam On Fire Edition. I was scared to try it out , but like Gibbs on NCIS, "trust your gut." Well it payed off. IN SPADES!!! The feel of the game and the fun of the game has been resurrected. It is just like the first game. The rosters are up to date as of the 2011/2012 season. So you will get a chance to play as Lebron, D Wade, Derrick Rose, Dirk, etc. The campaign mode is simple. You go to through six divisions and have 4 levels for each team in those divisions (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum [unlocked when you finish all the golds in region]). Each level has different game rules like: 3's are twos and 2's are threes, ally oops and dunks are worth one point, etc. Tip: When it comes to the dunks worth 3 pts. rule, get centers! My team was the Magic with Shaq and Dwight Howard. I beat my opponent, who were the Raptors with Vince Carter (in his prime) and some other guy ( I don't remember his name. Sorry.) Which brings me to the unlockable characters. You earn currency from playing and the coins are used to unlock stuff. By the way, the unlockables are awesome. You can unlock the mascots and players from the first game and legends like: Scottie Pippen, Shawn Kemp, Shaq, Karl Malone, Dr. J, etc. The online play is fun and you gotta really be on the ball (no pun intended) to play your opponents. The only grip I have with this game is the graphics for their heads. The heads of the players are pretty much photos taken from trading cards. With this day and age of high tech graphics, you could take advantage of what is available to not make it look 2D. It is very colorful which is a vast improvement from other Jam games. This game is just amazing. I usually play this game inbetween playing FPS's or RPG's. I give this game a 9 out of 10. I would recommend this game to anyone who loves basketball and wants and out of the ordinary game. I would also even give non basketball fans a chance at this. It is way too much fun. This game gave me a smile on my face which will never go away. HOPE RESTORED!!!!!!… Expand
  6. cstrickland
    Mar 20, 2013
    9
    There wasn't a time during this game when playing co-op online with my cousin that we didn't have fun (We played as the utah jazz bear and I was rumble the bison from the OKC thunder.) this is one of those silly arcade sports games that most of us love, they're no rule fun and anarchy that make us laugh and bring us back to a time when everything wasn't about shooting someone in the faceThere wasn't a time during this game when playing co-op online with my cousin that we didn't have fun (We played as the utah jazz bear and I was rumble the bison from the OKC thunder.) this is one of those silly arcade sports games that most of us love, they're no rule fun and anarchy that make us laugh and bring us back to a time when everything wasn't about shooting someone in the face or sitting in a box because you tripped someone (NHL).

    If you're looking for a game with a lot of content built in or just a game to keep you and your kids entertained you can't go wrong with this game, it's easy to pick up and there's lots of unlockables.

    OR if you're in a rush they have a "Cheat" pack on the marketplace that gives you almost everything plus some in game money but don't get it the wrong way it doesn't unlock everything it just gives you a lot of cool stuff right off the bat.    … Expand
  7. BlueBaron
    Nov 28, 2015
    9
    I got NBA JAM On Fire Edition for 360, to play on my XB1 and it rocks.

    NBA JAM in the Arcade and on old systems like SNES and Megadrive were just awesome. The gameplay in the 2010 version goes back to the original NBA JAM game even with the voices. It was a Midway game but EA bought the licence ::) but EA done good here for once. The gameplay has improved :) It's a 2 on 2    I got NBA JAM On Fire Edition for 360, to play on my XB1 and it rocks.

    NBA JAM in the Arcade and on old systems like SNES and Megadrive were just awesome.

    The gameplay in the 2010 version goes back to the original NBA JAM game even with the voices.

    It was a Midway game but EA bought the licence ::) but EA done good here for once.

    The gameplay has improved :)

    It's a 2 on 2 basketball game but you get to play 1 of the 2 players on your team this version, you can play both players in the option but the game this time round is not really designed to play both players, to get the most out of the game, play the default control just one player on your team. You can also Tag team, which is changing players but still controlling like the 1 player version, gameplay works best in solo or tag.

    The commentary is very good with all the "BOOMSHAKALACS" and more voiced by the guy who done the original. I'd say commentary in this game is better than the original game the atmosphere is perfect and better than original game..

    Unlocks and single player are nothing special apart from learning the game, on harder levels AI cheats it seems, human opponents would find it difficult to block like AI blocks, it can happen with humans but rarely.

    Outrageous over the top moves and FUN FUN FUN.

    Original NBA JAM, you score 3 consecutive baskets with a man and he goes On Fire and you can pull off even more outrageous moves and you get boosts. That's still in the game.

    Plus a new TEAM ON FIRE boost for the whole team as been added to activate the Team On Fire you need to do 3 team move baskets call Alley Hoops, basically 1 of the team goes ariel in some kind of over the top gymnastic move or a high jump towards the basket and the second player passes the ball to him as he flies through the air to dunk the passed ball. Really nice added edition that improves the perfect gameplay of NBA JAM. (EA actually improved a game, falls on floor ;D)

    Multiplayer is where NBA JAM really rocks.

    I give this game 9.3/10 and a must buy only £9.99, totally worth it.

    So much fun in a basketball game even if you not into basketball which I'm not. Plus bonus of playing on my XB1.    … Expand
  8. davidpole23
    Feb 25, 2019
    10
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
  9. DarCbrGr
    Jun 26, 2021
    9
    Although to most people this is the superior version of the NBA Jam remakes, I can't help but love the original remake just a little bit more.
  10. BannerSiamang15
    Mar 10, 2022
    9
    This game is dumb arcadey basketball fun. I elbowed a dude in the face then did a triple front flip and posterized a dude that shattered the backboard then my shoes lit up and I still lost.
  11. BigManReviewer
    May 8, 2023
    8
    Better than 2k. .

Awards & Rankings

25
#25 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2011
36
#36 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Dec 8, 2011
    90
    It's so enjoyable that we'd be hard pressed to recommend a better casual sports game for just about anyone. [Issue#79, p.103]
  2. XGN
    Nov 22, 2011
    85
    NBA Jam: OFE is so much better than it's predecessor. Seeing how well this game is constructed, we don't even know why the first game was ever launched. This game is pure fun, especially with friends. A great substitute for when there's no basketball on TV.
    Read full review
  3. GamingXP
    Nov 7, 2011
    86
    An arcade retro basketball game with dynamic AI, an intense 2 on 2 gameplay and players from the past. I love it.
    Read full review
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