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TV Sports Basketball (USA)
TV Sports Basketball
Inside TV Sports Basketball
- NEC TURBOGRAFX-16
- Sports
- 5· 0 votes
You play a standard five-on-five basketball game, choosing from a handful of fictional teams and playing through four quarters. The action is viewed from a side-on perspective, with the court scrolling as you move. Basic moves include passing, shooting, and stealing, though the controls can feel a bit stiff compared to more polished sports titles on the system. There is no season mode or deep franchise options, this is a straightforward arcade-style basketball game meant for quick pick-up sessions.
Today, TV Sports Basketball is a niche entry in the TurboGrafx-16 library, mainly of interest to collectors or fans of Cinemaware's particular brand of sports gaming. It doesn't hold a candle to more celebrated basketball games like Double Dribble on the NES, but it has a certain early-90s charm with its digitized crowd noise and TV-style presentation. If you're curious about how Cinemaware brought its sports series to NEC's console, this is worth a look, but don't expect a timeless classic.
GAME INFO
- Platform
- NEC TURBOGRAFX-16
- Genre
- Sports
- Publisher
- Mirrorsoft
- Developer
- Cinemaware
- Released
- 1991
- Players
- 1-2
- Region
- USA
How to play TV Sports Basketball online
When you boot up the game, you are greeted by a title screen and a team selection menu. Pick your side from the available teams; each has slightly different attributes. Once you start, the ball is tipped off and you control one player at a time. Use the D-pad to move and the X button to jump for rebounds or blocks. Press the S button to pass or steal depending on whether you have the ball.
The game runs on a simple clock, and you must outscore the opponent by the end of the fourth quarter. There are no complex strategies, just basic basketball fundamentals. Play against a friend by using the second controller, or face the computer AI. The controls are straightforward, but timing for shots and steals takes practice.
CONTROLS
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: I button
- S: II button
- Enter: Run / Start
- V: Select
TV Sports Basketball FAQ
What makes TV Sports Basketball stand out among NEC TURBOGRAFX-16 titles of its era?
It was one of the few basketball games on the TurboGrafx-16, a system better known for shooters and platformers. As part of Cinemaware's TV Sports series, it brought a pseudo-broadcast presentation style with digitized crowd chants and a scrolling court. Its appearance on the TG16 was also a port from more powerful home computers, giving it a slightly different feel than console-native sports games.
Is TV Sports Basketball exclusive to NEC TURBOGRAFX-16 or did it appear on other systems?
The game first released on MS-DOS in 1989 and Amiga in 1990 before arriving on the TurboGrafx-16 in 1991. It did not appear on any other consoles, making the TG16 version the only home console release.
Is there anything iconic or memorable about TV Sports Basketball?
The TV Sports series as a whole is remembered for its attempt to mimic television sports broadcasts, complete with announcer callouts and on-screen graphics. For basketball specifically, the TG16 port is one of the rarer games in the system's library, often sought after by collectors today. Its digitized intro and halftime show were unique touches for its time.
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GAME INFO
- Platform
- NEC TURBOGRAFX-16
- Genre
- Sports
- Publisher
- Mirrorsoft
- Developer
- Cinemaware
- Released
- 1991
- Players
- 1-2
- Region
- USA
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