Lakers versus Celtics

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Lakers vs Celtics

Developer(s)	Electronic Arts
Publisher(s)	Electronic Arts
Release date(s)	1989
Genre(s)	Sports game
Mode(s)	Single player, Multi player
Platform(s)	MS-DOS, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis

Lakers versus Celtics was a 1989 video game that was available for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis game console and for computers. The game was highly successful; it was the first game endorsed by the NBA and was the first to contain multiple NBA stars and teams in one game. As the title suggested, the game was launched due to the success of the late 80s Lakers-Celtics rivalry. Established stars you can play in the game are Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, as well as rising ones such as Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing.

1 Play mode
2 History
3 Related Games
4 Trivia
5 Screenshots
6 External links

[edit] Play mode

The game could be played in various ways: players could play against each other, or against the computer. Games against the computer were divided into two levels, "exhibition" or "playoffs". Players could pick from one of the eight teams that had gone to the playoffs in the NBA the year before the game was released. Games could be configured for 2, 5, 8 or 12 minute quarters.

[edit] History

The game would be the first "team" basketball video game to acquire full players names and rights without actually relying on the NBA players association.
It was also the first team basketball game to have signature moves for the individual star players.
It was the first game to feature half time shows and announcers to simulate an authentic feel.
This was also the only game to feature in-house Electronic Arts music during gameplay instead of the generic audience cheers.
First to feature TV style starting line up prior to the game.

[edit] Related Games

[edit] Trivia

This was the only basketball game ever sold by EA in a paper box. The cartridge was larger than the usual Sega Genesis cartridges at the time and did not fit into the plastic boxes.
Many of the signature moves were inserted without players consent. Moves such as Charles Barkley's Gorilla dunk drew controversy and would affect the future of signatures moves and the marketing of the moves for future basketball games.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was not available in the Sega Genesis version of the game.