NBA ShootOut
Sony's first-party NBA simulation series for PlayStation consoles.
NBA ShootOut (released as Total NBA in Europe) is a basketball video game series based on the NBA, appearing on the PlayStation and PlayStation 2. It belonged to Sony’s first-party sports lineup for the PlayStation, which also included NHL FaceOff, NFL GameDay, NCAA GameBreaker, and ESPN Extreme Games. The first two installments, from 1996 and 1997, were created by Sony Computer Entertainment’s in-house British development team. Later games were handled by 989 Sports, with NBA ShootOut 2000 being the only entry ported to Microsoft Windows.
Players can select an existing NBA team to play exhibition or regular season matches, and they can also create custom players to add to regular season rosters. Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Michael Jordan appear under alternate names—Forward, Center, and Guard, respectively. The PlayStation version of NBA ShootOut 99 was canceled by 989 Sports because of its insufficient quality.
The first two games received strong reviews; the Official UK PlayStation Magazine gave each a 9/10 score and a Starplayer award, praising their motion capture and playability.
- Platforms
- PlayStation, PlayStation 2
- First release year
- 1996
- Second release year
- 1997
- Developer of first two entries
- Sony Computer Entertainment's British in-house development team
- Later developer
- 989 Sports
- Windows release
- NBA ShootOut 2000
- Cancelled game
- NBA ShootOut 99 for the PlayStation
Lore & Background
The series began with two entries released in 1996 and 1997, developed by Sony Computer Entertainment's British in-house development team. Later entries were developed by 989 Sports, including NBA ShootOut 2000, the only game in the series to be released for Microsoft Windows. NBA ShootOut 99 for the PlayStation was cancelled by 989 Sports due to its level of quality.
In the games, players can choose an existing NBA franchise and play exhibition or regular season games, as well as create their own players to include in regular season team rosters. Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Michael Jordan were represented in the game with other names (Forward, Center and Guard respectively). The series had a predecessor for the Sega CD called ESPN NBA Hangtime '95.
Reader's Guide
NBA ShootOut holds significance as one of Sony's first-party sports franchises for the PlayStation, establishing the company's presence in the basketball video game market alongside other Sony sports titles. The first two games were well received, with the Official UK PlayStation Magazine awarding 9/10 and a Starplayer award to both, praising the motion capture and playability. The series spanned multiple PlayStation consoles and included a single Windows release, NBA ShootOut 2000. Its legacy is marked by the cancellation of NBA ShootOut 99 due to quality concerns, reflecting the competitive standards of the era. The series also featured notable NBA players under alternate names, a common practice in unlicensed sports games of the time.
Did You Know?
- NBA ShootOut 2000 was the only game in the series released for Microsoft Windows.
- Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Michael Jordan appeared under the names Forward, Center and Guard respectively.
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