Subject: NBA JAM FAQ for Genesis Welcome to Sega NBA JAM FAQ! v1.1 Disclaimer: This is an early version of the FAQ. All codes and information have been tested and are believed to be accurate, but don't blame me for any inconsistencies or mistakes. Introduction: This FAQ is intended to provide information on the game NBA JAM for the sega genesis. Keep in mind, that much of the players, strategies, codes, and information provided are intended to be used only on the sega version, and that this FAQ does not neccessary help people understand or play the Super Nintendo, Game Gear, Arcade, or Tournament versions of this game. The following sections are included in this FAQ: I. Secret Codes and Powerups(I put this first because many people will be most interested in this information, and won't want to read the rest of this FAQ) II. Game Strategy III. List of Players and their strengths IV. List of Speech V. Credits Additionally sections may be added to later versions of this FAQ if found neccessary... Version History: 1.0 First version. 1.1 Corrections, Moon, and G Clinton, and minor additions... New Versions of this FAQ will be posted Monday mornings on weeks that enough new information has come in to warrant an updated FAQ. I. Secret Codes and Powerups. A. Powerups. NOTE:All of the following powerups are entered at the tonight matchup screen. This is the screen that shows immediately after teams for the game are chosen. 1. Powerup Defense-Press A, B, or C 5 times, and hold down on the 5th time. If entered correctly, it will say so above your players Turbo meter. This powerup will increase your ability to goaltend without getting called for it, and to steal the ball easier. 2. Powerup Dunks-Press the directional pad 360 degrees and press A,B, or C 13 times. If entered correctly, it will say so above your players Turbo meter. You will gain the ability to perform a dunk from anywhere past half court. However, if you are using a player with the minimum dunk skill, this powerup will fail. 3. Powerup Fire-Press A, B, or C 7 times and then hold up+B+C until the tip off. If entered correctly, it will say so above your players Turbo meter. You will stay on fire for the duration of the game. 4. Powerup Intercept-Press the directional pad or joystick 360 degrees, and then press A, B, or C 15 or more times. If entered correctly, it will confirm that you have entered this code abover your players Turbo meter. The easiest way of getting this code is to simply tap a button as much as you can after you do the full circle on the directional pad or stick. The game doesn't care if you tap more than 15 times. This gives you a better chance of intercepting the passes of opponents, but it really is not particualarly noticable during the game of an average player. 5. Powerup Turbo-Press the A, B, or C button 5 times, and then press and hold the A, B, and C buttons all down. This powerup will be confirmed in the same manner as the above 4 powerups. If done properly, your player will have an unlimited supply of turbo. 6. Juice Mode-If you defeat all 27 teams you will automatically activate this mode which quickens the speed of all players. Also, you can get juice mode if you press A, B, or C 13 times, and then hold down B+C. 7. Shot Percentage-Press A, B, or C once, and then hold A, B, and down on the directional pad(three things held down at once), until the tip off. This will show a small box(where the timer usually is) which will tell you the percent chance that a given shot will go in. Note that the NBA JAM kit that circulated to those who ordered the game before it came out included a poster that said that pressing down was not neccessary, but this does not work. B. Secret Characters NOTE:NBA JAM includes the use of certain characters that are not part of the NBA. Playing with these characters will give you statistics that are different than the teams for which they play on. For example, if Bill Clinton is used, and he replaces Dominique Wilkens(who has full dunking ability), you will find that Bill doesn't have quite as the same range of dunks that Dominique has even though it says(at the screen that shows players ratings---the team select screen) that he has full dunking ability. I will post secret player ratings when they're known. For the following characters, enter the first two letters of their initials at the initial screen, then move to the third letter, and then hold down the start button, and press the indicated button. 1. Bill Clinton, president of the United States. Initials:ARK Button A 2. Al Gore, vice-president of The United States. Initials:NET Button B 3. Mark Turmell, Arcade head programmer. Initials:MJT Button A 4. Rivett, Arcade programmer. Initials:RJR Button B 5. DiVita, Arcade programmer. Initials:SAL Button C 6. Chow Chow, Home programmer?. Initials:CAR Button C 7. Weasel, Home programmer? Initials:SAX Button C 8. Scruff, Home programmer? Initials:ROD Button B 9. Air Dog, Home programmer? Initials:AIR Button A 10. Kabuki, Home programmer? Initials:QB_ Button A 11. P Funk aka George Clinton, Rapper, Initials:DIS Button C 12. Warren Moon, Houston Oilers Quarterback, Initials:UW_ Button A NOTE: The following 4 more sets of initials produce effects. If you play 1 game with them, you will have their record from the high scores list, but all that will be saved to the list of saved names is a record of 0 and 0. Anyone understand the purpose of these? 11. ? Initials: GAP Button C 12. ? Initials: JAZ Button B 13. ? Initials: SNK Button C 14. ? Initials: ZOB Button B 3. Other Assorted Things. It's unlikely that the arcade code for big heads has been included in the sega version, but if anyone knows otherwise, please send it to me, and I will include it in the FAQ. Video Games magazine printed a poster that supposedly showed all the characters from the original arcade version, and the home versions. Besides the already discovered secret characters, there were 2 others shown. These were: Flea and another long haired guy who probably was a programmer. I hope everyone is looking for other strange stuff in this game...we've found alot already, but it would be disappointing if we've found everything except for a few hidden characters. II. Game Strategy There is no need for me to list the basic moves of the game since they are all outlined in the instruction manual that comes with the game. I'm just going to list a few things that work well(I may add more later). The key to winning at NBA JAM is getting on fire. If you can't make 3 baskets in a row in order to get on fire, you just aren't going to be able to win as easily, as when you do. In this version of NBA JAM, the best way to get on fire seems to be to get your defense to stop the other team from scoring. Getting the opponent to shoot 3 point shots is good because they are not very difficult to block if you do a "super block"(turbo and block). Of course it helps to be a player who isn't really short...like Skiles or KJ. Once on fire, take 3's until you notice that you can't make any. When that happens, the computer is cheating, and it's time to take inside shots. Use the shot percentage cheat to get an idea of the best places to shoot for the individual player that you use. If you are used to the arcade, you may expect to push down opponents who are dunking. This is much harder in the sega version. Usually blocking is more effective, unless you are very close to the dunking man. Guard the key to avoid dealing with dunks and layups. Do dunks and layups to heat up. Don't try lot's of 3 pointers with really bad 3 point shooters. Most of what I've been saying is probably obvious to veteran players, and not helpful to novices. I'll try to improve this section in the future. III. List of Players and their Strengths. A. Golden State Warriors 1. Tim Hardaway-pretty balanced. 2. Chris Mullin-Great 3 pointers. B. Los Angeles Clippers 1. Danny Manning-Balance player. 2. Ron Harper-Balanced player. C. Los Angeles Lakers 1. James Worthy-Good dunks 2. Vlade Divac-Balanced. D. Phoenix Suns 1. Charles Barkley-Great Dunks 2. Kevin Johnson-Balanced player. E. Portland Trailblazers 1. Clyde Drexler-Great Dunks. 2. Terry Porter-Good 3 pointers. F. Seattle Supersonics 1. Shawn Kemp-Great Dunks. 2. Detlef Schrempf-Balanced. G. Sacramento Kings 1. Waymon Tisdale-Balanced. 2. Mitch Richmond-Blazing speed and dunks. H. Dallas Mavericks 1. Derek Harper-Great Defense. 2. Jim Jackson-Good 3 pointers. I. Denver Nuggets 1. Dikembe Mutombo-Great Dunks. 2. LaPhonso Ellis-Balanced. J. Houston Rockets 1. Hakeem Olajuwon-Awesome Dunks and defense. 2. Vernon Maxwell-Balanced. K. Minnesota Timberwolves 1. Christian Laettner-Balanced. 2. Chuck Person-Good Dunks. L. San Antonio Spurs 1. David Robinson-Good Dunks and Great Defense. 2. Sean Elliot-Balanced. M. Utah Jazz 1. Karl Malone-Great Dunks 2. John Stockton-Good Speed and 3 pointers. N. Atlanta Hawks 1. Dominique Wilkens-Great Dunks 2. Stacey Augmon-Very Balanced. O. Charlotte Hornets 1. Larry Johnson-Great Dunks. 2. Alonzo Mourning-Most Balanced player. P. Chicago Bulls 1. Scottie Pippen-Great Dunks, and very good at all else. 2. Horace Grant-Alonzo Mouring without the 3 pointers. Q. Cleveland Cavaliers 1. Mark Price-Good 3 pointers. 2. Brad Daugherty-Great Dunks. R. Detroit Pistons 1. Isiah Thomas-Great speed and 3's. 2. Bill Laimbeer-Fierce defense. S. Indiana Pacers 1. Reggie Miller-Balanced player. 2. Derrick Mckey-Balanced. T. Milwaukee Bucks 1. Brad Lohaus-Balanced. 2. Blue Edwards-Balanced. U. Boston Celtics 1. Dee Brown-3 pointers? 2. Robert Parish-Great defense. V. Miami Heat 1. Rony Seikaly-Good 3 pointers. 2. Harold Miner-Good dunks and defense. W. New Jersey Nets 1. Derrick Coleman-Good Dunks. 2. Kenny Anderson-Balanced. X. New York Knicks 1. Patrick Ewing-Great Dunks and Defense. 2. John Starks-Good Defense. Y. Orlando Magic 1. Nick Anderson-Dunks appear to be great...but I think it's really Shaq. 2. Scott Skiles-3 point master. Z. Philadelphia 76'ers 1. Clarence Weatherspoon-Balanced attack. 2. Jeff Hornacek-Balanced. AA. Washington Bullets 1. Tom Gugliotta-Good D. 2. Harvey Grant-Good Dunks. IV. List of Speech "Oh My" "Yes" "He's Heating Up!" "He's On Fire!" "Can't Buy a bucket." "Is it the shoes?" "Boomshakalaka!" "Kaboom!" "Rejected." "It's a turnover." "It's a blowout." "The nail in the coffin." "Puts up a brick" "Ugly shot" "From downtown." "Shoots for 3." "Hello." Tarzan Yell "Grabs the rebound." "For 2" "he jams it in" "head fake" "stolen" "welcome to NBA JAM" "wide open" "intercepted" "no good" "swish" "at the buzzer" V. Credits FAQ written by Kevin Gilbert(izzykn7@mvs.oac.ucla.edu) Helped obtain contents of this FAQ: David Patrick Stucke Jon Ta Steve Tze Navid Jahed Steve Soo Mark Blewett