Double Dribble (video game)
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| Double Dribble | |
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| Developer(s) | Konami |
| Publisher(s) | Konami |
| Platform(s) | Arcade, NES, Commodore 64, Game Boy, Virtual Console |
| Release date | Arcade version 1986 NES version September, 1987 (US) December 13, 1989 (Europe) |
| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Up to two players. |
Double Dribble is a basketball video game by Konami. The original version was an arcade game released in 1986. In September of 1987 a version followed for Nintendo's Nintendo Entertainment System and Game Boy in 1991 (called Double Dribble 5-on-5). A version was also released for the Commodore 64 computer.
The NES version features 5-on-5 action on a horizontally scrolling court, four different teams (Boston Frogs, New York Eagles, Chicago Ox, L.A. Breakers), three levels of single-play difficulty, and four different choices of quarter lengths. Double Dribble was among the first games to feature cut scenes, which depicted a mid-air player completing a slam dunk, and one of the first to use speech, though in a limited quantity (such as announcing the game title and the game's beginning jump ball). The game was also notable for "The Star-Spangled Banner" being played in a cut scene depicting the crowd entering the stadium before the match begins, as well as displaying a half-time cheerleader performance.
A sequel called Double Dribble: The Playoff Edition was released in 1994 for the Sega Mega Drive.
[edit] Quirks
Compared to many sports-related Nintendo games of this era, Double Dribble resembled its sport with surprising accuracy. However, there were several quirks in the programming that are noteworthy, if only for their contribution to the overall experience of playing Double Dribble:
Timing Issues: The game clock, as in most early timed videogames (see also: Tecmo Bowl), was accelerated (far faster than real-time).
Translation Issues: In the third-quarter, third is abbreviated as "3rt."
Gameplay: Several positions on the court were 'hot spots,' high-percentage areas where shots-taken were likely to score points. For example: it is easier to hit a 3-pointer on the bottom right-hand side of the screen. A player could start a 3-point jump shot from the top right or left corner of the court inbounds, and continue the jump out of bounds and even slightly behind the hoop and it would go in nearly every time. Another nearly guaranteed shot is taken with the player standing 3-quarters length of the court away from their goal could go for a running 3-point shot, provided that the shot button was pressed within the other team's free throw shooting circle.
The arcade version was a timed play (much like Star Fire), where after every minute of play, the game was owed a credit if the score was tied or the computer is ahead. However, if the live player was ahead, a "free" minute was earned. Many average players could earn the first free minute, but this became increasingly more difficult to do as making 3-point shots became virtually impossible over the course of gameplay.
[edit] Movie appereance
- In the film Love & Basketball, Quincy's friends are seen playing a game of Double Dribble. The scene also portrays the slam dunk cut scene.
