While the NBA may be heading towards a protracted lock-out that makes even a hardened NFL player cringe, the folks at EA Sports are helping to ease the suffering of fans by releasing NBA JAM: On Fire Edition to the Xbox LIVE Arcade.
Trey Smith, the Creative Director of NBA JAM: On Fire Edition tells fans what to expect:
You wanted TAG MODE and TEAM FIRE – DONE!
You wanted DEEPER GAMEPLAY with more strategy – DONE!
You wanted BETTER AI – DONE!
You wanted a BETTER ONLINE EXPERIENCE – DONE!
But above all…You wanted a better PRICE – DONE!
You want a little more DETAIL on those statements - DONE!
Tag Mode will allow you to play as either member of your two-man team.
Team Fire can be activated by nailing threes and uncontested alley-oops.
Deeper Gameplay is being accomplished with "over 1,000 game play tweaks".
Better AI is coming from the same AI engine used for http://www.trueachievements.com/FIGHT-NIGHT-CHAMPION-xb....htm and the other games of the Fight Night Series.
The better online experience will include an online co-op campaign mode and a new tournament mode the dev team is calling ARENA.
Finally, EA Sports has released a video trailer for the On Fire Edition featuring the hilarious commentary of Tim Kitrow:
You will be able to get en fuego with NBA JAM: On Fire Edition this fall with its XBLA release and, according to Smith, will cost $15 (or 1200 MSP to you and me).
We've got the full list of NBA JAM achievements - check the list for guides to unlocking them.