All-Pro Basketball

All-Pro Basketball is a classic NES sports game that tries to capture the feel of a full five-on-five basketball game while keeping the action simple enough for an 8-bit console. Developed by Aicom and published by Vic Tokai, it was released in North America in 1989. In Japan, the game was known as Zenbei!! Pro Basketball.

The game gives you eight fictional teams to choose from, including the New York Slicks, Chicago Zephyrs, Boston Redcoats, Los Angeles Breakers, and San Francisco Bayriders. Although the names are fictional, the teams are clearly inspired by well-known NBA franchises. Each squad has its own strengths and weaknesses, so choosing a team is more than just picking a favorite-looking uniform.

On the court, All-Pro Basketball takes a slightly unusual approach. Matches use a top-down view of a full-length court, but only half of the court is visible at a time. When the action moves beyond half court, the screen switches to the other end. It can feel a little strange at first, but once you get used to it, the system works surprisingly well for keeping the action readable.

There is plenty to do during a game. Players can pass, shoot three-pointers, attempt slam dunks, steal the ball, and fight for rebounds. Fouls are also part of the game, while player stamina gradually drops during extended play. Keeping tired players on the court can hurt your performance, so substitutions become an important part of longer matches.

Several modes are available, including single-player games, competitive two-player matches, cooperative play, league competition, and even a watch mode where the computer controls both teams. That variety gives All-Pro Basketball more staying power than its simple presentation might suggest.

It may not have the polish of later basketball games, but its fast pace, unusual court perspective, and emphasis on team management make All-Pro Basketball an interesting and distinctly old-school NES sports experience.