Double Dribble: The Playoff Edition for Genesis

Review #4157

Double Dribble: The Playoff Edition

Yet another NES port

Genesis 1994 Konami Sports Sports › Basketball
Double Dribble: The Playoff Edition screenshot for Genesis
Screenshot used for review/reference purposes.
3 / 5

Gameplay

View is from above but slightly askew so it feels a bit strange. Probably because the screen is zoomed in. Movement is fast and frenetic. Animations are overly long so attempting a steal or a pass or even a shot takes longer than you would expect. Very arcade-like with most shots going in and difficult to play defense. Feels almost like a five on five NBA Jam.
Bizarre jumping mechanic allows you to jump from behind the 3 pointer line and hit a layup. You can also pass wall jumping which the computer does constantly. Probably the floatiest controls I've ever seen in a basketball game and yet they're satisfying.
Very unique.

2 / 5

Level Design

Exhibition and playoff modes.
Arcade mode is a free-for-all with no fouls or goaltending.
The only other notable option is to turn off the sound effects during gameplay, but I don't know why anyone would do that since that's pretty much the main appeal here.

3 / 5

Theme

Generic teams, but the arcade vibe of the game makes that not matter too much. I mean it matters and the game suffers for it but doesn't completely sink the ship.

4 / 5

Art Style

Big beefy sprites look amazing and move well.
Graphics are grainy and dark but hey, it's a Genesis game.
The opening cinematic rivals the amazing opening from Super Street Fighter 2 for the Super NES. It's amazing.
Lots of little arcade touches like a nice font and fluorescent pulsating color text.

4 / 5

Audio

Music and sound that for the arcade atmosphere. 90s Konami was good at this sort of thing.

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