================================================ == NBA JAM: ON FIRE EDITION - ROAD TRIP GUIDE == ================================================ for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 Version 1.1 by Bill Wood ([email protected]) Last modified: 10/14/11 NBA Jam: On Fire Edition (c) 2011 Electronic Arts NOTE: This guide views and prints best with a monospace typeface. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZA ===================== ==TABLE OF CONTENTS== ===================== SECTION 01: VERSION HISTORY SECTION 02: INTRODUCTION SECTION 03: ROAD MAP - Match Types - Pacific Division - Golden State Warriors - Los Angeles Clippers - Los Angeles Lakers - Phoenix Suns - Sacramento Kings - Northwest Division - Denver Nuggets - Minnesota Timberwolves - Oklahoma City Thunder - Portland Trailblazers - Utah Jazz - Southwest Division - Dallas Mavericks - Houston Rockets - Memphis Grizzlies - New Orleans Hornets - San Antonio Spurs - Southeast Division - Atlanta Hawks - Charlotte Bobcats - Miami Heat - Orlando Magic - Washington Wizards - Central Division - Chicago Bulls - Cleveland Cavaliers - Detroit Pistons - Indiana Pacers - Milwaukee Bucks - Atlantic Division - Boston Celtics - New Jersey Nets - New York Knicks - Philadelphia 76ers - Toronto Raptors SECTION 04: BEST TEAMS AND STRATS - Choosing a Team - General Strategies and Advice - Do's and Don't's Against Gold and Platinum Opponents SECTION 05: CLOSING =============================== ==SECTION 01: VERSION HISTORY== =============================== v1.1 (10/14/2011) - Updated with Eastern Conference team information. Other additions and corrections as well. v1.0 (10/13/2011) - First public version of the guide, all Western Conference Road Trip teams have been detailed. A new version detailing the Eastern Conference teams will follow shortly. ============================ ==SECTION 02: INTRODUCTION== ============================ Welcome to the NBA Jam: On Fire Edition Road Trip guide! This guide will cover the long and arduous journey that is Road Trip, from the easiest of Bronze teams to the brutal Jambots. The various match types will be outlined in detail, as well as some general strategy for dealing with the tougher CPU A.I. opponents. This guide assumes you are familiar with the basic game conventions. If not, please consult the in-game guide before reading. ======================== ==SECTION 03: ROAD MAP== ======================== Road Trip is basically the NBA Jam: OFE equivalent of Career or Season Mode, a whirlwind tour that has you squaring off against all 30 teams several times over in various match types. Defeating Road Trip opponents and completing Jam Challenges earns you Jam Bucks, which can be used at the in-game store to purchase bonuses such unique balls, visual effects and numerous NBA legends. The basic Road Trip layout is as follows: There are five NBA teams within six divisions, each team having Bronze, Silver and Gold challenges with varying stipulations for a total of 15 games per division. Beating those 15 games will unlock the Platinum Jambot challenges for that division. The Jambots will test the mettle of even the best Jam players! When it's all said and done, you'll need to win (at least) 120 games to clear Road Trip. And even after beating all of the Jambot challenges, there may be something in wait! This guide assumes you are playing through Road Trip as a single player with Tag Mode enabled. It also assumes you have not unlocked any of the higher- priced specialty teams, such as the Rain Makers. However, you should purchase Larry Bird (Celtics) and Shaq (Magic) as soon as possible. ----------- MATCH TYPES ----------- You'll come across several different match types during the course of Road Trip. Listed below are all the match types with descriptions and the abbreviations that will be used this guide: CLASSIC 2 vs 2 - Your basic NBA Jam set-up: 2-on-2 with four two-minute quarters. Classic is far and away the most common game in Road Trip. 2 vs 2, 1 MINUTE QUARTERS - Same as above but with half the time. Score early and score often! GO! - Fast shot clock, live ball, 1 quarter. A more uptempo game with an emphasis on quick scoring. "Live ball" means no inbounding between possessions, the ball stays in play even after a basket. Since the CPU is uncommonly good at rebounding and picking up the loose ball, it's easy to fall behind quickly in this mode. BLITZ - Live ball, 15 second shot clock, 1 quarter. The difference between "Blitz" and "Go!" is beyond me... I see none. FULL COURT PRESS - Only 1 quarter. Again, scoring early is the key here. MINI MEN - Mini-sized players take the court. The size of the players makes for a much more wide-open game, and also makes playing defense extremely tough. Detroit is the only team to field Mini Men in Road Trip. MAD AIR - Dunks and Alley Oops are worth four points. Needless to say, you'll want your rim rockers on the court for this game. PLAY THE PAINT - Dunks and 2's worth 3, 3's worth 2. Just like Mad Air, you'll want your big men swarming the rim in this mode. RAIN - 3's are worth 4, 2's are worth 3, off-fire dunks/oops are worth 1. Even though threes are slightly devalued compared to inside jumpers, it's still worth your while to stick with with your perimeter shooting. Obviously, dunks are punished so don't even attempt them. 1's and 2's - 3's are worth 2, putbacks 4, everything else 1. It's difficult to set up putbacks on a regular basis, so your best bet is to stick to three- pointers in this match, especially since they are worth double the value of dunks and regular jumpers. FIRED UP - 1 shot to go On Fire, never expires. Doesn't have any real bearing on game strategy, just play the game as you normally would. OVER THE TOP - OTT dunks are worth 10, dunks are worth 3. Yet another mode that features a strong emphasis on dunking. FULL COURT PRESS - Only 1 quarter. Again, scoring early is the key here. FLYING FURY - "Mad Air" + "Go!". Your briefest of dunkfests, in a nutshell. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ NOTE: Platinum/Jambot Challenges are unlocked only after ++ ++ you beat an entire division's Bronze, Silver and Gold games. ++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ W ++ ---------------------------------------- ++ A ++ PACIFIC DIVISION - GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS ++ R ++ ---------------------------------------- ++ R ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ I ++ Bronze | Classic | Biedrins, Lee ++ O ++ Silver | Classic | Hardaway, Mullin ++ R ++ Gold | Rain | Hardaway, Curry ++ S ++ Platinum | Classic | Warriors Jambots ++ C ++ --------------------------------------- ++ L ++ PACIFIC DIVISION - LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS ++ I ++ --------------------------------------- ++ P ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ P ++ Bronze | Classic | Foye, Kaman ++ E ++ Silver | Fired Up | Manning, Williams ++ R ++ Gold | Over The Top | Griffin, Manning ++ S ++ Platinum | Classic | Clippers Jambots ++ ++ ------------------------------------- ++ L ++ PACIFIC DIVISION - LOS ANGELES LAKERS ++ A ++ ------------------------------------- ++ K ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ E ++ Bronze | Classic | Fisher, Odom ++ R ++ Silver | Classic | Johnson, Worthy ++ S ++ Gold | Fired Up | Bryant, Gasol ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Lakers Jambots ++ ++ ------------------------------- ++ ++ PACIFIC DIVISION - PHOENIX SUNS ++ S ++ ------------------------------- ++ U ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ N ++ Bronze | Classic | Hill, Frye ++ S ++ Silver | Classic | Johnson, Majerle ++ ++ Gold | Rain | Nash, Majerle ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Suns Jambots ++ ++ ----------------------------------- ++ ++ PACIFIC DIVISION - SACRAMENTO KINGS ++ K ++ ----------------------------------- ++ I ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ N ++ Bronze | Classic | Thompson, Cousins ++ G ++ Silver | Classic | Richmond, Slamson (mascot) ++ S ++ Gold | 1's and 2's | Evans, Richmond ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Kings Jambots ++ ++ ----------------------------------- ++ N ++ NORTHWEST DIVISION - DENVER NUGGETS ++ U ++ ----------------------------------- ++ G ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ G ++ Bronze | Classic | Gallinari, Smith ++ E ++ Silver | Classic | Mutombo, Martin ++ T ++ Gold | Classic | Gallinari, Mutumbo ++ S ++ Platinum | Classic | Nuggets Jambots ++ T ++ ------------------------------------------- ++ - ++ NORTHWEST DIVISION - MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES ++ W ++ ------------------------------------------- ++ O ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ L ++ Bronze | Classic | Love, Beasley ++ V ++ Silver | Classic | Love, Person ++ E ++ Gold | Go! | Love, Person ++ S ++ Platinum | Classic | T-Wolves Jambots ++ ++ ------------------------------------------ ++ B ++ NORTHWEST DIVISION - PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS ++ L ++ ------------------------------------------ ++ A ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ Z ++ Bronze | Classic | Wallace, Aldridge ++ E ++ Silver | Rain | Drexler, Walton ++ R ++ Gold | Classic | Aldridge, Drexler ++ S ++ Platinum | Classic | Blazers Jambots ++ ++ ------------------------------------------ ++ T ++ NORTHWEST DIVISION - OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER ++ H ++ ------------------------------------------ ++ U ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ N ++ Bronze | Classic | Ibaka, Perkins ++ D ++ Silver | Classic | Westbrook, Ibaka ++ E ++ Gold | Rain | Durant, Westbrook ++ R ++ Platinum | Classic | Thunder Jambots ++ ++ ------------------------------ ++ ++ NORTHWEST DIVISION - UTAH JAZZ ++ J ++ ------------------------------ ++ A ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ Z ++ Bronze | Classic | Okur, Kirelenko ++ Z ++ Silver | Classic | Malone, Stockton ++ ++ Gold | Flying Fury | Malone, Jefferson ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Jazz Jambots ++ ++ ------------------------------------- ++ ++ SOUTHWEST DIVISION - DALLAS MAVERICKS ++ M ++ ------- ------------------------------ ++ A ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ V ++ Bronze | Classic | Stojakovic, Butler ++ S ++ Silver | 1 Min Quarters | Mashburn, Nowitzki ++ ++ Gold | Go! | Nowitzki, Terry ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Mavs Jambots ++ ++ ------------------------------------ ++ R ++ SOUTHWEST DIVISION - HOUSTON ROCKETS ++ O ++ ------------------------------------ ++ C ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ K ++ Bronze | Classic | Scola, Lee ++ E ++ Silver | Classic | Olajuwon, Smith ++ T ++ Gold | Play the Paint | Ming, Olajuwon ++ S ++ Platinum | Classic | Rockets Jambots ++ G ++ -------------------------------------- ++ R ++ SOUTHWEST DIVISION - MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES ++ I ++ -------------------------------------- ++ Z ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ Z ++ Bronze | Classic | Gay, Mayo ++ L ++ Silver | Mad Air | Randolph, Reeves ++ I ++ Gold | Classic | Gay, Randolph ++ E ++ Platinum | Classic | Grizzlies Jambots ++ ++ ---------------------------------------- ++ H ++ SOUTHWEST DIVISION - NEW ORLEANS HORNETS ++ O ++ ---------------------------------------- ++ R ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ N ++ Bronze | Classic | Landry, Ariza ++ E ++ Silver | Classic | Bogues, Johnson ++ T ++ Gold | Fired Up | Bogues, Paul ++ S ++ Platinum | Classic | Hornets Jambots ++ ++ -------------------------------------- ++ ++ SOUTHWEST DIVISION - SAN ANTONIO SPURS ++ S ++ -------------------------------------- ++ P ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ U ++ Bronze | Classic | Ginobili, Duncan ++ R ++ Silver | Classic | Gervin, Robinson ++ S ++ Gold | Play The Paint | Duncan, Robinson ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Spurs Jambots ++ ++ ---------------------------------- ++ ++ SOUTHEAST DIVISION - ATLANTA HAWKS ++ H ++ ---------------------------------- ++ A ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ W ++ Bronze | Classic | Johnson, Teague ++ K ++ Silver | Mad Air | Wilkins, Webb ++ S ++ Gold | Classic | Smith, Webb ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Hawks Jambots ++ ++ -------------------------------------- ++ B ++ SOUTHEAST DIVISION - CHARLOTTE BOBCATS ++ O ++ -------------------------------------- ++ B ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ C ++ Bronze | Classic | Thomas, Augustin ++ A ++ Silver | Classic | Augustin, Rufus (mascot) ++ T ++ Gold | Full Ct Press | Thomas, Maggette ++ S ++ Platinum | Classic | Bobcats Jambots ++ ++ ------------------------------- ++ ++ SOUTHEAST DIVISION - MIAMI HEAT ++ H ++ ------------------------------- ++ E ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ A ++ Bronze | Classic | Bibby, Bosh ++ T ++ Silver | Classic | Rice, Seikaly ++ ++ Gold | Blitz | James, Wade ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Heat Jambots ++ ++ ---------------------------------- ++ ++ SOUTHEAST DIVISION - ORLANDO MAGIC ++ M ++ ---------------------------------- ++ A ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ G ++ Bronze | Classic | Richardson, Turkoglu ++ I ++ Silver | Classic | Skiles, Anderson ++ C ++ Gold | Over The Top | Howard, Shaq ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Magic Jambots ++ ++ --------------------------------------- ++ W ++ SOUTHEAST DIVISION - WASHINGTON WIZARDS ++ I ++ --------------------------------------- ++ Z ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ A ++ Bronze | Classic | Jianlian, Blatche ++ R ++ Silver | Classic | Blatche, G-Wiz (mascot) ++ D ++ Gold | Blitz | Wall, McGee ++ S ++ Platinum | Classic | Wizards Jambots ++ ++ -------------------------------- ++ ++ CENTRAL DIVISION - CHICAGO BULLS ++ B ++ -------------------------------- ++ U ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ L ++ Bronze | Classic | Deng, Boozer ++ L ++ Silver | Classic | Pippen, Rodman ++ S ++ Gold | Classic | Pippen, Rose ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Bulls Jambots ++ ++ -------------------------------------- ++ ++ CENTRAL DIVISION - CLEVELAND CAVALIERS ++ C ++ -------------------------------------- ++ A ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ V ++ Bronze | Classic | Varejao, Jamison ++ S ++ Silver | Classic | Daugherty, Price ++ ++ Gold | 1's and 2's | Price, Davis ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Cavs Jambots ++ ++ ---------------------------------- ++ P ++ CENTRAL DIVISION - DETROIT PISTONS ++ I ++ ---------------------------------- ++ S ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ T ++ Bronze | Classic | Prince, McGrady ++ O ++ Silver | Classic | Laimbeer, Thomas ++ N ++ Gold | Mini Men | Thomas, Rodman ++ S ++ Platinum | Classic | Pistons Jambots ++ ++ --------------------------------- ++ P ++ CENTRAL DIVISION - INDIANA PACERS ++ A ++ --------------------------------- ++ C ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ E ++ Bronze | Classic | Granger, Dunleavy ++ R ++ Silver | Classic | Smits, Schrempf ++ S ++ Gold | Fired Up | Granger, Schrempf ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Pacers Jambots ++ ++ ---------------------------------- ++ ++ CENTRAL DIVISION - MILWAUKEE BUCKS ++ B ++ ---------------------------------- ++ U ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ C ++ Bronze | Classic | Jackson, Redd ++ K ++ Silver | Fired Up | Bango (mascot), Jennings ++ S ++ Gold | Classic | Bogut, Jennings ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Bucks Jambots ++ ++ ---------------------------------- ++ C ++ ATLANTIC DIVISION - BOSTON CELTICS ++ E ++ ---------------------------------- ++ L ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ T ++ Bronze | Classic | Rondo, Pierce ++ I ++ Silver | Classic | Bird, McHale ++ C ++ Gold | Rain | Bird, Allen ++ S ++ Platinum | Classic | Celtics Jambots ++ ++ ----------------------------------- ++ ++ ATLANTIC DIVISION - NEW JERSEY NETS ++ N ++ ----------------------------------- ++ E ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ T ++ Bronze | Classic | Williams, Morrow ++ S ++ Silver | Classic | Anderson, Petrovic ++ ++ Gold | Full Ct Press | Lopez, Petrovic ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Nets Jambots ++ ++ ---------------------------------- ++ K ++ ATLANTIC DIVISION - NEW YORK KNICKS ++ N ++ ---------------------------------- ++ I ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ C ++ Bronze | Classic | Billups, Stoudemire ++ K ++ Silver | Full Ct Press | Ewing, Starks ++ S ++ Gold | Play The Paint | Ewing, Stoudemire ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Knicks Jambots ++ ++ -------------------------------------- ++ S ++ ATLANTIC DIVISION - PHILADELPHIA 76ERS ++ I ++ -------------------------------------- ++ X ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ E ++ Bronze | Classic | Iguodala, Williams ++ R ++ Silver | Over The Top | Erving, Dawkins ++ S ++ Gold | Classic | Iguodala, Erving ++ ++ Platinum | Classic | Sixers Jambots ++ ++ ---------------------------------- ++ R ++ ATLANTIC DIVISION - TORONTO RAPTORS ++ A ++ ---------------------------------- ++ P ++ LEVEL MATCH TYPE OPPONENTS ++ T ++ Bronze | Classic | Calderon, Bargnani ++ O ++ Silver | Classic | Raptor (mascot), Carter ++ R ++ Gold | Play The Paint | Carter, Debozan ++ S ++ Platinum | Classic | Raptors Jambots ===================================== ==SECTION 04: BEST TEAMS AND STRATS== ===================================== --------------- CHOOSING A TEAM --------------- This section is devoted to choosing the best team to conquer Road Trip. Of course, you can always just stick with your favorite team if you prefer to slug it out, but don't be surprised if you find they're not up to the task of Gold and Platinum challenges. In most cases, it's better to choose a team that is suited for a specific purpose. When it comes to dependability, you can rely upon the Celtics tandem of Larry Bird and Ray Allen for the majority of Road Trip. Both are rated 10 in the three-point department, and three-pointers are the key to success in beating the higher-level CPU opponents. The only exceptions are the games where dunks are rewarded, in which case you should switch over to the Orlando Magic tag team of Dwight Howard and Shaq (both 10's in dunking). Of course, if you're getting bored with using the same teams over and over and have an overabundance of Jam Bucks to spend, you could always pick up one of the pricier teams that excel at either threes (Rain Makers) or dunking (Dunk Champs). Unfortunately, Bird and Allen also happen to be best three-point tandem on the Rain Makers, making that particular purchase a bit of a waste. ----------------------------- GENERAL STRATEGIES AND ADVICE ----------------------------- BRONZE (EASY) - Unless you're a newcomer to Jam, Bronze opponents won't offer much of a challenge. Simply pick your team of choice and utilize spin moves to drive past the opponent and set up the easy slam, or practice your outside shooting since you'll be getting lots of open looks all over the court. Bronze opponents love to bite on the pump fake and you can abuse this to really run up the score. Just don't make it part of your gameplan against higher level opponents... they won't be having any of it. In any case, consider the Bronze challenges your training ground for the tougher tests to come. SILVER (MEDIUM) - This is where the difficulty starts to kick in. The CPU now reaches in for the occasional shove or steal (all perfectly legal mind you!). You can employ the same basic strategy of spinning and driving to the basket, but you should also be looking for the open man on the perimeter. GOLD (HARD) - Gold level opponents can offer a true challenge and will more than likely frustrate you with their ability to stage their "miraculous" comebacks (a.k.a rubberband A.I.). You might even consider the CPU tactics cheap. Time to fight fire with fire! This is when you should give the team of Bird and Allen some very serious consideration, as their ability to nail threes all game long will give you a much-needed advantage. Your basic strategy is to receive the inbound pass, then sprint in a diagonal direction toward the top or bottom of the screen. Once you've reached that point, run toward the basket until you're just outside the three-point line, then "stop and pop". Make sure your feet are planted but do NOT hesitate with your shot. Neither Bird nor Allen are lacking in consistency with their long ball, and once you've established a rhythm you'll find it's tough for Gold opponents to slow your progress. Even if they're stuffing the ball down your throat on the other end of the court, they're losing the point battle, which -- despite the word "JAM" in the title -- is what it's really all about. Now, on to the most aggravating part of Road Trip: the shovefest. At some point in each quarter, the CPU will go into its patented "ultra-shove" mode. Instead of letting you pass by uncontested with each drive, the CPU will now make a beeline straight for your player and begin shoving like there's no tomorrow. Spinning will NOT help you here, if you're anywhere within range of this shove you WILL hit the floor, most likely losing the ball in the process and turning it over for the easy dunk. Bottom line: When the CPU goes into ultra-shove mode, it's time to change your gameplan. Instead of immediately heading upcourt with the inbound pass, you'll want to hang in the backcourt while holding the LB (360) or L1 (PS3) button. This forces your partner to sprint toward the nearest opponent and start shoving him, in this case the guy who is trying to shove you! Form a wedge so that the CPU can't get to you, lining him up with your partner instead. The end result is that the CPU will hit the floor after one or two shoves (how's THAT for turning the tables?), leaving your offensive options wide open. Once your opponent is eating parquet, it's time to Turbo toward the basket, only now you should have a single defender to worry about instead of two. If you see this defender coming up to make a play on you, hold RB/R1 as you head toward the three-point line. Your goal is still to nail the three, but holding RB/R1 will send your partner up for the alley-oop, and since the defender can't be in two places at once, odds are one of you will be wide open for the basket. When it comes to defense, shoving is again your best friend. You should have your finger glued to LB/L1 whenever you're on defense as it will bring your partner A.I. in for an additional shove. Double-teaming works well off the inbound pass, as a double shove can result in the CPU coughing up the ball. Of course this does leave the other player wide open, but there are two things to remember here: Not only can the CPU be difficult to guard in 1-on-1 situations, but if they're slamming down uncontested dunks while you're raining threes... well, it doesn't take a mathmetician to realize that the point total will eventually be in your favor. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++ The key thing to remember is that at higher levels, you WILL ++ ++ reach a point in the game where shoving is every bit as ++ ++ important as shooting. You must not only win the shooting ++ ++ war, but the shoving war as well. ++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PLATINUM (REAL A.I.) - These hidden challenges appear after you've cleared all challenges in a particular division. They are hosted by the Jambots, robot opponents who are meant to mimic your own team's A.I. All Jambot challenges are in Classic mode, so you won't have to worry about special stipluations to win these contests. The basic Gold strategy also applies to the Jambots: Pick a team that can rain consistent threes and always outshove your opponent. The Jambots are a bit more imposing than your average NBA duo, they seem to block shots more often and don't go down quite as easy. This means you'll have to be quick with your shot release and persistent with your shove game. ---------------------------------------------------- DO'S AND DON'T'S AGAINST GOLD AND PLATINUM OPPONENTS ---------------------------------------------------- ++++++++++ ++ DO ++ ++++++++++ * SHOVE OFTEN. At the risk of sounding like a broken record: When it comes to defeating your Jam computer opponents, the importance of shoving cannot be overstated. Even if it feels cheap and disrupts the flow of the game, this is a war you NEED to win against the computer, and they're certainly not going to ease up on you. * RAIN THREES. Every day, all day. The only exceptions to this rule are the contests that feature an emphasis on dunking. * WATCH THE CLOCK - Yes, this should go without saying to anyone who knows the game of basketball. But it's very easy to get lost in the moment with a fast paced game such as Jam, and with shorter quarters, time management becomes even more crucial in a tight game. For example, chucking up a prayer with 10 seconds left and a two-point lead when you could have simply held onto the ball will be a move you'll end up regretting on more than one occasion. Which leads us to... * SLOW THE TEMPO WHEN YOU HAVE A SIZABLE LEAD. Once you've got yourself a nice lead, get into the habit of hanging in the backcourt and holding down the LB/L1 button. You can really grind down the clock with this technique, and every second chewed off the timer is one less second for the A.I. to stage another miracle comeback. Also, if you're getting crowded while holding a huge lead and feel that a turnover is inevitable, chuck the ball toward your basket. Even if you're at halfcourt and the ball doesn't have a chance of going in, you're shaving precious seconds off the clock by forcing the CPU to chase down the rebound and head upcourt, which is better than letting them pick you off for free. +++++++++++++ ++ DON'T ++ +++++++++++++ * SPIN. Spinning is supposed to counter shoving in this game. Problem is, it doesn't work against high-level CPU opponents. Try a fancy move with a Gold defender in your face and you're asking for the easy turnover. Keep it simple against the CPU and save the flashy stuff for your online matches. * PUMP FAKE. Gold opponents won't fall for it, and more often than not you'll find yourself flailing to the floor because the CPU decided to shove you out of your pump fake. Focus instead on a quick "stop and pop" approach to nailing your jumpers, it's vitally important to get your shot off before the CPU is in position to shove or block. * WORRY ABOUT CATCHING OR PUTTING OUT FIRE. If it happens it happens, but it's never something you should consciously work toward. It's far more important to be consistent with your perimeter shots, which are easy enough to sink, fire or not. And if the CPU catches fire, don't sweat it. He'll get doused soon enough... that's what open threes are for. * DUNK UNLESS IT'S NECESSARY. The CPU can be a monster on defense, and this usually includes camping under the basket and waiting for the inevitable dunk or oop attempt. When this happens you can expect to come out on the losing end of the battle, even with a top-rated dunker such as Shaq. Only resort to dunking in games where it is rewarded with extra points (Mad Air, Over the Top, etc), and even then you need to make sure you have a clear lane to the basket before taking to the air. * PLAY FAIR. Just remember, this is rubberband A.I. we're dealing with here. Even if you're tempted to play a straight-up game, there will come a time when your open shots will start bricking inexplicably while your opponent snares the rebound for the easy dunk. With the odds stacked against you, playing fair usually results in a quick trip to the "Rematch" option. ======================= ==SECTION 05: CLOSING== ======================= I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read this guide. Hopefully it has helped your game in some way. NBA JAM: ON FIRE EDITION - ROAD TRIP GUIDE (c) 2011 Bill Wood
© Web Media Network Limited, 1999 - 2024 This site is not affiliated in any way with Microsoft, Sony, Sega, Nintendo or any video game publishers.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service.
Super Cheats is an unofficial resource with submissions provided by members of the public. These are not usually tested by us (because there are so many), so please use them at your own risk.
