Summary
- Release Year: 1988
- Genres: Sport
- Platforms: Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS, Game Boy, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
- Publishers: Electronic Arts, Tec Toy
Jordan vs. Bird: One on One (1988)
Jordan vs. Bird: One on One is a basketball video game released in 1988 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game features Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls and Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, two of the greatest basketball players of all time.
The game is a one-on-one basketball game, with the player controlling either Jordan or Bird. The game can be played on three different difficulty levels: Rookie, All-Star, and Legend. The Rookie level is the easiest, while the Legend level is the most difficult.
The game features several different modes, including a one-on-one game, a slam dunk contest, and a three-point contest. In the one-on-one game, the player must score more points than their opponent in order to win. The slam dunk contest is a mini-game where the player must perform a variety of dunks in order to earn points. The three-point contest is a mini-game where the player must make as many three-point shots as possible in a limited amount of time.
Jordan vs. Bird: One on One was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its simple gameplay, addictive mini-games, and realistic graphics. The game was also a major factor in the popularity of the NBA in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Gameplay
Jordan vs. Bird: One on One is a one-on-one basketball game. The player controls either Jordan or Bird, and must score more points than their opponent in order to win. The game is played on a full-court basketball court, and the player can move their player in any direction.
The player can perform a variety of moves, including dribbling, shooting, passing, and dunking. The player can also steal the ball from their opponent, or block their shot.
The game features a variety of different shots, including layups, jump shots, and three-pointers. The player can also perform a variety of dunks, including the windmill dunk and the tomahawk dunk.
The game also features a variety of different defensive moves, including guarding the ball, blocking shots, and stealing the ball.
Mini-Games
In addition to the one-on-one game, Jordan vs. Bird: One on One also features two mini-games: a slam dunk contest and a three-point contest.
In the slam dunk contest, the player must perform a variety of dunks in order to earn points. The player can perform a variety of different dunks, including the windmill dunk, the tomahawk dunk, and the reverse dunk.
In the three-point contest, the player must make as many three-point shots as possible in a limited amount of time. The player can shoot from anywhere on the court, but the shots are worth more points if they are made from further away.
Graphics and Sound
The graphics in Jordan vs. Bird: One on One are simple but effective. The players are represented by small sprites, and the court is rendered in a top-down perspective. The game also features a variety of different animations, including dunks, shots, and blocks.
The sound in Jordan vs. Bird: One on One is also simple but effective. The game features a variety of different sound effects, including the sound of the ball bouncing, the sound of the net swishing, and the sound of the crowd cheering.
Reception
Jordan vs. Bird: One on One was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its simple gameplay, addictive mini-games, and realistic graphics. The game was also a major factor in the popularity of the NBA in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The game was awarded the “Best Sports Game” award by the Nintendo Power Awards in 1989. The game was also inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2015.
Legacy
Jordan vs. Bird: One on One is considered to be one of the greatest basketball video games of all time. The game was a major factor in the popularity of the NBA in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and it helped to establish Michael Jordan as a global icon.
The game has been ported to a variety of different platforms, including the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, the Game Boy, and the PlayStation 2. The game is also available on the Nintendo Switch Online service.
Jordan vs. Bird: One on One remains a popular game today, and it is still enjoyed by fans of basketball and video games alike.
Review Score
8/10