Basketball is probably the easiest sport to watch. With scoring at such a rapid pace, there's always something happening for any viewer to enjoy. And as much fun as the game is to consume, it is even better to get out there and actually play. If that's not a possibility, there are always video games.

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For as long as fans can remember, basketball video games have been the next best thing to getting out and stepping on the court. With that in mind, this is a great chance to look back at the best old-school basketball games ever released. From realistic simulations to fun arcade-style games, these are the cream of the crop.

Updated July 10, 2023 by Stephen LaGioia: Basketball and NBA-based video games of the modern era tend to emphasize flashiness and detailed realism. Yet, many gamers are finding a distinct charm in retro games of the genre — which often stress simpler, arcade-style action. Titles like NBA Playgrounds and (relatively) recent NBA Jam installments remind fans that sometimes less can be more.

There's certainly no shortage of great old-school gaming renditions of the fast-paced sport. Whether referring to the days of charming pixelated games or the early 3D romps, there are many great basketball games to shoot for. Here are some more of the best.

15 NBA Hangtime

NBA Hangtime Wolf

Even in the mid-'90s, it was tough to stand out when it came to basketball games, with a number of similar, straightforward efforts hitting the gaming scene. Enter Midway's NBA Hangtime, which brought a slightly zanier take to the NBA Jam formula, making this '96 release stand out. While similar to the aforementioned fan-favorite, this game allowed players to create their own player, and enter codes (i.e. Kombat Kodes in Mortal Kombat), to toy with the visuals or mechanics.

These elements — which offered tweaks like big heads and hyper-speed — brought a wilder, arcade-style sensibility than NBA Jam. Players could also now cycle through five roster members for added depth. While not a huge leap from its spiritual predecessor, NBA Hangtime sprinkled in some amusing extras to keep the formula interesting.

14 Pat Riley Basketball

Pat Riley Basketball playing on Dallas court

Named after the esteemed Lakers, Knicks, and Heat coach Pat Riley, this 1990 title was a fan-favorite for Genesis fans, with its nice blend of simple mechanics and relative depth.

Players could pick from one of eight unique teams including colorful names like the Denver Jammers and Houston Rebels, and play quick exhibitions or a more fleshed-out tourney. Players could also tweak the timing of each quarter, allowing for marathon sessions of a whopping twenty minutes per quarter if they so choose.

13 Mario Hoops 3 On 3

mario hoops 3 on 3 split screen of playing on ice court and overhead map

While Mario and basketball might seem typical now given the abundance of sports romps featuring the plumber, it was a rather new concept even in 2006. This is especially true given the unlikely studio behind this colorful arcade sports game, Square Enix.

But while the reception wasn't quite stellar as a whole (largely thanks to the lack of wi-fi), many enjoyed the fun party elements and staple franchise characters taking the variety of courts. While demanding a bit of a learning curve, the DS touchscreen controls and stylus-swiping proved fairly sharp and inventive. The second screen's map feature brought another dimension to the gameplay, allowing players to better plot their attacks.

12 Arch Rivals

Arch Rivals basketball flying edge sign on court

Initially released for the arcade and later ported to several consoles (as recent as Xbox and GameCube), Arch Rivals stood the test of time despite its pixel art. In typical '90s Midway fashion, the game also brought a wild brawling mechanic to the fold, making the already fast-paced sport a frenzy.

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Players could not only get away with fouls but are in fact encouraged to swipe the ball from opponents and even sock them in the face. This more aggressive street basketball style brings some excitement and chaos that's not easy to pull off with two-on-two matches displayed with 8-bit graphics. This unpredictability is further driven home by the inclusion of floor hazards like candy wrappers and soda cans.

11 Kobe Bryant In NBA Courtside

Kobe Bryant NBA Courtside overhead view of Bryant laying up ball

Themed around the late-great NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, NBA Courtside was a rare basketball gem on the N64. It filled a much-needed niche in the console's library and held its own with many PlayStation and Dreamcast basketball hits at the time. There are few bells and whistles; just solid, classic NBA basketball — which is still kept to a fast-enough pace to maintain its fun factor.

While its visuals may not hold up too well, the gameplay has aged far better, with fairly nuanced five-on-five gameplay, season and playoff campaigns, as well as some neat cheats and unlockables. Making up for the rather crude graphics is some surprisingly detailed animations, which were designed with the aid of motion capture.

10 Tecmo NBA Basketball

Playing Tecmo NBA basketball on blue court

Everyone remembers Tecmo Bowl as the gold standard of early football games. Its lesser-known cousin is Tecmo NBA Basketball. This November 1992 release was one of the earliest games to feel like a real league. It kept track of stats and injuries in ways that weren't seen before.

Tecmo NBA Basketball was also one of the first to include cinematic cutscenes, giving it a realistic feel. To be fair, the gameplay left something to be desired but it got a boost from being the first game to feature both the NBA and NBPA licenses. That meant players could hit the course as real NBA teams with real NBA players.

9 NBA Ballers

NBA Ballers Marbury facing off round 1

This was a different kind of basketball game. Released on April 6, 2004, NBA Ballers combined two of the most popular brands of the sport. It took the pro stars of the NBA and put them in the AND-one streetball environment where they could face each other 1-on-1.

The main story mode allowed players to take an unknown rookie from rags to riches against the best stars in the world. As they progressed through the story they could upgrade and purchase flashy clothes and jewelry. That concept was used in later franchises. Plus, it was a ton of fun.

8 Jordan vs. Bird: One On One

Jordan vs Bird facing off in pixelated NBA brick court

Arriving way back in 1988, this one-vs-one romp hit the scene before official licenses were given. To get around that, Electronic Arts opted to focus on two of the biggest stars in the league, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. Players could put them in endless games against each other.

But this was far from a limited game. Jordan vs. Bird: One on One also allowed players to utilize Jordan in a dunk contest and pick Bird in a three-point shootout. At the time, this was kind of revolutionary. The spectacle of two greats going at it was something to behold.

7 Bulls vs. Blazers And The NBA Playoffs

Bulls vs. Blazers full court basketball on red court

Bulls vs. Blazers and the NBA Playoffs was a game-changer. As noted, Tecmo NBA Basketball gave us something new in terms of stat-keeping. But this was the one to provide us with something completely new in terms of gameplay. And isn't that always the most important thing?

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Arriving in 1992, this game was named after the teams who competed in the NBA Finals. Despite its visuals, it felt more like the true NBA experience one would watch on TV than other games from the era. That included giving players their "marquee shots" including Jordan's free throw line dunk. As an interesting side note — the game also has the distinction of being the first to include the EA Sports logo.

6 Double Dribble

This is the oldest entry on the list. Double Dribble was released for the arcade in 1986 and the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987. The idea that one's players could dunk was something unheard of at this point. People were blown away by it at the arcade.

If one played often enough, they could figure out the perfect spot to shoot from so that they never missed a shot. It was great to try and overcome that. The graphics and gameplay were on a different level and wouldn't be touched for several years. This ushered in a new era.

5 NCAA March Madness 2003

Playing aggressive basketball in NCAA March Madness 2003 with crowd cheering

Who doesn't miss college sports video games? They always offered something unique and often brought a quality experience without the use of professional players. EA Sports' NCAA March Madness 2003 was probably the best installment of that franchise.

Released in November of 2002, it featured former Kansas Jayhawk Drew Gooden on the cover. The game played similarly to the successful NBA Live entries from the era but included just enough differences and upgrades to keep players coming back. It is especially fun to look back on this game when considering the talented roster that was available.

4 NBA 2K

Kobe Bryant dunking in NBA 2k action replay

The only series included on this list that is still active today. The original NBA 2K hit shelves on November 10, 1999, and was only available for the Sega Dreamcast. It gave gamers something new to try and marked some strong competition for NBA Live, which was the standard at the time.

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It was meant to be the most realistic simulation of the NBA available. Reviews were fantastic, with it scoring a 9.2 on IGN and a 9/10 from Game Informer. Most importantly, it set the stage for what the future of basketball games would look like. The NBA 2K franchise has dominated that landscape since. Although players can use this to make a decision themselves.

3 NBA Live 95

Isometric view in Rockets court in NBA Live 95

For a lot of '90s gamers, this was the pinnacle of basketball video games. Released for both the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo in 1994, NBA Live 95 introduced a ton of elements to this world. For example, the isometric camera was something that had never seen before.

There was also the "T" shaped meter used to shoot free throws, the turbo button, and the ability to create one's own teams or players. Many reviews claimed this was the best basketball game ever made at that point. It was so popular that a new version was included with the release of NBA Live 06.

2 NBA Street Vol. 2

Michael Jordan dunking in NBA Street Vol 2

EA Sports BIG dropped this sequel to NBA Street on April 29, 2003, and it improved in almost every aspect. The game not only featured every NBA team but a bunch of legends. Players could mix and match to form their own trios for games of 3-on-3. Gamers could select from a superstar cast of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan — which is a wild thought.

The gameplay was incredible. It allowed for endless fun and was highlighted by the spectacular "game-breaker" moves. There were multiple modes to keep things fresh and one of the catchiest soundtracks in gaming history. NBA Street Vol. 2 was met with widespread acclaim and remains one of the best basketball games ever made.

1 NBA Jam

Players facing off for posession in NBA Jam

Though this was remade in 2010, it's hard to top the iconic original. 1993's NBA Jam was everything one could ask for in terms of arcade gaming. It featured every NBA team and allowed for 2-on-2 games. This is an iconic game. Phrases like "Boomshackalaka" and "He's on fire" were popularized because of NBA Jam.

This title set the tone for any sports game packed with action and featuring exaggeration. It became the staple of how Midway crafted its sports efforts. There are still arcades out there with this as a focal point. NBA Jam became immensely popular, surpassing $1 billion in revenue over the years, making it the highest-earning arcade game of all time.

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