Basketballis 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 gameshave 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 June 04, 2025 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.
15NBA Hangtime
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’sNBA Hangtime, which brought a slightly zanier take to theNBA Jamformula, making this ‘96 release stand out. While similar to the aforementioned fan-favorite, thisgame allowed players to create their own player, and enter codes (i.e. Kombat Kodes inMortal 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 thanNBA Jam. Players could also now cycle through fiveroster members for added depth. While not a hugeleap from its spiritual predecessor,NBA Hangtimesprinkled in some amusing extras to keep the formula interesting.
14Pat Riley Basketball
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 whoppingtwenty minutes per quarterif they so choose.
13Mario Hoops 3 On 3
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.
12Arch Rivals
Initially released for the arcade and later ported to several consoles (as recent as Xbox and GameCube),Arch Rivalsstood 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.
11Kobe Bryant In NBA Courtside
Themed around the late-great NBA superstar Kobe Bryant,NBA Courtsidewas a rare basketballgem 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.
10Tecmo NBA Basketball
Everyone remembersTecmo Bowlas the gold standard of early football games. Its lesser-known cousin isTecmo 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 Basketballwas 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.
9NBA Ballers
This was a different kind of basketball game. Released on July 01, 2025,NBA Ballerscombined 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.
8Jordan vs. Bird: One On One
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 thebiggest stars in the league, Michael Jordanand 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 Onealso 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.
7Bulls vs. Blazers And The NBA Playoffs
Bulls vs. Blazers and the NBA Playoffswas a game-changer. As noted,Tecmo NBA Basketballgave 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.
6Double Dribble
This is the oldest entry on the list.Double Dribblewas 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 wereblown 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.
