NBA JAM
Formats: Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, Game GearPrice, manufacturer: $69 to $74, Acclaim, Midway and Iguana.
Recommended ages: 8 and up.
How the game works: The wait is over for the millions of kids and adults who have played Midway's NBA Jam in the arcade. Now this slam dunk of basketball games plays the same but has a few twists from the arcade version. The game is divided into four quarters of three minutes each plus a 24-second clock. You also get to choose digitized likenesses of 54 NBA superstars from all 27 teams, all with turbo-charged action that includes incredible slam dunks such as the Tomahawk Jam, the Helicopter and the Windmill. For one to four players.
Good points, bad points: There has never been a game harder to turn off. The SNES graphics and sound are much better than Sega's, but the players are slightly bigger in the Sega version. Game play is about the same, but I prefer the SNES version.
Tip: There are hidden codes for more players - even President Clinton. To get special character, select "YES" to enter your initials, but instead input the first two letters of the character's code. Clinton's is "ARK," so click on "AR." Then place the cursor over the third letter "K," but don't enter it. Next, for SNES, hold down the "L," "R" and "Start" buttons and press "X" for Clinton. For Genesis, hold down "Start" and press "A" for Clinton.
The verdict: Is it in the shoes? Nope, it's in the game!