Summary
- Release Year: 1989
- Genres: Sport
- Platforms: Family Computer, Nintendo Entertainment System
- Developers: Aicom
- Publishers: Vic Tokai
All-Pro Basketball (1989): A Nostalgic Look at a Classic NES Basketball Game
All-Pro Basketball was a basketball game released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989. Developed by Aicom and published by Nintendo, it was one of the first basketball games released for the NES and was a critical and commercial success.
The game featured eight different teams, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Players could choose to play a single match or a tournament, and could also adjust the difficulty level. The gameplay was simple but addictive, and the graphics were impressive for the time.
All-Pro Basketball was praised for its realistic gameplay, detailed graphics, and addictive gameplay. It was also one of the first NES games to feature a battery backup, which allowed players to save their progress.
Gameplay
All-Pro Basketball is a one-on-one basketball game played from a side-scrolling perspective. The player controls one of eight different teams, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. The game can be played in either single-match or tournament mode.
In single-match mode, the player can choose to play against the computer or a human opponent. The player can also choose the difficulty level, which ranges from easy to hard.
In tournament mode, the player must win a series of matches to progress to the next round. The tournament is single-elimination, so the player must win every match to win the tournament.
The gameplay in All-Pro Basketball is simple but addictive. The player uses the D-pad to move their player around the court and the A and B buttons to shoot and pass the ball. The player can also use the L and R buttons to perform special moves, such as dunks and blocks.
The game features a variety of different shots, including jump shots, layups, and dunks. The player can also perform special moves, such as crossover dribbles and behind-the-back passes.
The game’s AI is challenging, even on the easy difficulty setting. The computer-controlled opponents are aggressive on defense and will often double-team the player. The player must use their skills and knowledge of the game to create scoring opportunities.
Graphics
The graphics in All-Pro Basketball are impressive for the time. The players are large and detailed, and the animations are smooth and fluid. The court is also well-rendered, and the game features a variety of different camera angles.
The game’s graphics are not as impressive as those in modern basketball games, but they are still very good for a NES game. The players are easy to see and the animations are clear and concise.
Sound
The sound in All-Pro Basketball is good, but not great. The music is repetitive and the sound effects are basic. However, the game’s sound does not detract from the overall experience.
Overall
All-Pro Basketball is a classic NES basketball game that is still fun to play today. The gameplay is simple but addictive, the graphics are impressive for the time, and the sound is good. If you are a fan of basketball or retro gaming, then I highly recommend checking out All-Pro Basketball.
Legacy
All-Pro Basketball was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to popularize the basketball genre on the NES. The game was followed by several sequels, including All-Pro Basketball 2 (1990) and Super All-Pro Basketball (1991).
All-Pro Basketball is still considered to be one of the best basketball games ever released for the NES. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay, detailed graphics, and challenging AI make it a must-play for any fan of the genre.
Trivia
- All-Pro Basketball was the first NES game to feature a battery backup.
- The game was originally released in Japan under the title “Super Basketball.”
- The game’s soundtrack was composed by Hirokazu Tanaka, who also composed the soundtracks for Metroid and Kid Icarus.
- All-Pro Basketball was one of the first NES games to be released in Europe.
- The game was a critical and commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
