Basketball is an arcade video game released in May 1979 by Atari, Inc. It was the first basketball video game with a trackball for player movement and the first to use the angled side view which became a commonly used perspective in the basketball video games that followed.
Gameplay
Basketball supports one and two player modes and uses a trackball to control each player’s movement. At the start of each game, the song “Sweet Georgia Brown” is played. Players must first gain possession of the ball and move towards their opponent’s goal. When in position for a shot, the pushbutton is held until the player’s arm is at a suitable height and the button is released. Shots can be blocked by an opponent, and, when dribbling, an opponent can steal the ball. The winner is the player with the highest score when the clock runs out.
Reception
Cashbox magazine praised the game for its fast action and realistic animated player characters. Basketball appeared in the top 10 video arcade games rankings for several months in 1979 according to Play Meter magazine.
See also
- TV Basketball (1974) the first arcade basketball video game
- Basketball (1978 video game) for the Atari 2600
References
External links
- The International Arcade Museum
Gamer24h Editor's Take
Basketball caught our attention with its unique design and has shaped up to be a must-play masterpiece candidate thanks to the depth of its experience. The visionary approach of developer Atari, Inc., combined with the expertise of publisher Atari, Inc., has resulted in an exceptionally refined product. Its innovative take on the Sports genre offers a breath of fresh air for fans of the category. All in all, the Gamer24h team stands firmly behind our rating. This is a unique journey you won't want to miss.