game: NBA Showtime (Arcade Version)
faq ver: 1.0
date: 6-21-2002
email:
[email protected]
Index
0. Greeting & Credits
1. Basic Controls
2. Starting a Game
3. Choose Players
4. vs. Screen
5. Reading the Display
6. Gameplay
7. FAQs
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0. Greeting & Credits
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If you are wondering what the different attributes are good for, or how to
do a layup or a double dunk, or how to get both players on your team on
fire, or similar things, this might be the place to look. However if you
want the answers to the trivia questions, or the vs. screen codes, or info
on the hidden players, check one of the other nba showtime faqs.
I only check my email about once a month, so if you are trying to get in
touch with me, be warned. Nobody ever emails me except spammers anyway.
I didn't create 99% of this content, I found it, after much searching, on the
defunct official website, via the wayback machine (which periodically
archives nearly the entire internet):
http://web.archive.org/web/20000302003234/www.nbashowtime.com/index2.html
Midway's official NBA Showtime website ( www.nbashowtime.com ) is no longer
online, and because there weren't any copyright notices on the actual site, I
am posting it here, for the benefit of the gaming community. Note that the
above archive.org link is not indexed in any search engine. If somebody from
Midway has a problem with this document, I apologize.
I have just cleaned it up a little and added tiny bits here and there. Hope
it's helpful.
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1. Basic Controls
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* Blue Button
PASS on offense
STEAL on defense
* Red Button
SHOOT on offense
BLOCK on defense
* White Button
TURBO run faster, jump higher, special moves
* Drone Control
When playing with a computer controlled teammate: your buttons controls when
he shoots the ball or passes it back to you.
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2. Starting a Game
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Main Menu
Press the START button to get to the "Main Menu". Press the Joystick left or
right to highlight an option and press the SHOOT button:
* Create Player: Create your own character or modify previously created
characters. This option has no gameplay. Use the name and pin number of your
created character at the "Enter Name" option and play a full game.
* Enter Initials: 4 players at once can enter up to six characters for a name
and up to four numbers for a pin number. Each name and pin is recorded and
allows the game to accumulate personal stats for each player and display your
name on the high score pages during attract mode. If you have a created
player
or secret character code, enter the name and pin here to play as that
character.
* Select Teams: Go directly to selecting your teams without entering names or
pin numbers. You'll be out on the court playing immediately.
* Choose Team
The "Choose Team" screen displays the NBA teams listed by the city name.
Press
the joystick up or down to scroll and press the SHOOT button to select.
*!* Press the Joystick Left + TURBO to pick a random team. *!*
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3. Choose Player
----------------
The "Choose Player" screen displays the players available on the selected
team. Press the joystick left or right to change players and press the SHOOT
button to select. Each player's stats are displayed under his headshot. A
number from one to 20 appears next to each stat, 1 being the worst and 20
being the best:
PWR (Power): A high power rating means more strength for clearing other
players out of the way, setting picks, or dunking through defenders. Big guys
also tend to hold on to the ball when they are cleared out.
SPD (Speed): A high speed rating means more agile players. Usually, faster
players are less powerful and get cleared out more.
2PTRS (2 Pt Shooting): A high 2 point rating means more baskets close to the
net.
3PTRS (3 Pt Shooting): A high 3 point rating means more baskets from far
away.
STL (Steal): A high steal rating means more effective swiping, stealing,and
intercepting of passes. Smaller, quicker players are more effective at
stealing
the ball.
BLK (Blocks): A high block rating means more effective blocks against dunks
and jump shots.
DNK (Dunks): A high dunk rating means more spectacular dunks that are harder
to block. A player with a zero will perform only lay-ups. Lay-ups are
generally less successful than dunks.
DRB (Dribble): A high dribble rating means better evasive moves to shake off
opponents and avoid steals.
Rebounding (hidden): The greater a player's hidden rebound rating, the better
the chance that he will snag the rebound from a crowd of players. He will
also jump higher when trying to rebound.
Clutch (hidden): The greater a player's hidden clutch rating, the more chance
he will make a great play in the final seconds of any period!
Passing (hidden): The greater a player's hidden pass rating, the faster he
passes. It is more difficult to intercept a quick pass than a slow pass. You
should always try a turbo pass.
* For maximum success, pay attention to your player's strengths and
weaknesses.
Play big guys near the hoop, and small guys outside. Most big guys are poor 3
point shooters!
* Substitutions
You will be able to pick substitutions during half time. Some players may
become fatigued during the second half, try substituting those players with
fresh players at halftime.
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4. The vs. Screen
-----------------
The "V.S. Screen" shows the names and logos of the two competing teams. This
is the last screen before the game starts. At the bottom of the screen are
icons used for entering special codes. Each player has a set of three icons.
Press the TURBO button to change the first icon, SHOOT for the second, and
PASS for the third. Push the Joystick Up, Left, Right, or Down to lock in
each code.
Try different combinations of letters and logos for powerups! Some of the
other faqs have a listing of powerups. I think for the most part they are a
waste of time or just make the game less fun, but if you are interested,
check any of the other faqs for more info.
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5. Reading the Display
----------------------
* Jump Ball Meter
At the start of the game your player is at center court for the jump ball.
Gauges at the left and right display the power for the two players. Quickly
tap the buttons to boost the power and swat the ball to your teammates.
* Turbo Meters
Colored Turbo Meter bars are at the top of the screen. As you press your
TURBO button to run faster, shoot farther, and block and jump higher, you use
up your turbo and the bar diminishes until it's gone. It recharges
automatically when you're not using it.
* Foul Meters
Foul meters are attached to each turbo meter at the top of the screen. The
number stands for how many fouls you have committed, which is how many times
you push the ball carrier. If you reach 5 fouls in one quarter, your fouled
opponent gets to step up to the free throw line and attempt one shot for
three points. If he makes his shot, he also gets possession of the ball.
* Scoreplate
The Scoreplate at the top center of the screen displays the score, time
remaining, and quarter of the game.
* The Shot Clock
When you gain possession of the ball you have 24 seconds to shoot. When you
have under 10 seconds left a shot clock will appear and count down. If you
don't shoot in time a "Shot Clock Violation" will be called and possession
will be given to the other team.
* Tag Arrows
A tag arrow appears above each head labeled 1,2,3, or 4 to let the players
know who they are controlling. When your player is off screen the arrow
points to the location of your player.
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6. Gameplay
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* Dribbling
The CPU automatically dribbles the ball as you run up and down the court.
* Juke Moves
Tap the TURBO button twice as you run with the ball to do some cool evasive
moves on your opponent.
* Shooting
Press the SHOOT button to automatically shoot the ball toward the basket.
Hold the SHOOT button a little to delay the release of the ball. Press SHOOT
+ TURBO to get a more powerful shot with a higher arc. Press the joystick
left or right to get lean-ins and fade aways.
Lay-ups: Run toward the basket without pressing the TURBO button. At the
basket press TURBO + SHOOT, TURBO + SHOOT quickly.
Jump Shots: Press and hold the SHOOT button, releasing the SHOOT button at
the top of the jump for best accuracy. Avoid being rejected by holding on to
the ball until the defender is out of position.
In Air Passes: Anytime you are in the air with the ball press the PASS button
to dish the ball off to your teammate. This is great for when you are about
to be rejected!
Lean In/Fade Away: Press the joystick toward or away from the hoop while
shooting.
Hook Shot: Press SHOOT while running perpendicular near the basket. Press
TURBO + SHOOT for a higher arc and better shot percentage.
Fakeout: Tap the SHOOT button to do a head fake. This also causes you to pick
up your dribble.
* Passing
Make sure your man is open and press the PASS button, the ball automatically
goes to your teammate. Press PASS + TURBO for a fast pass less likely to be
intercepted by your opponent. Press PASS while in the air to dish the ball
off to your teammate.
If your teammate is a CPU, press the PASS button to pass to him, and again to
PASS back to yourself.
* Blocking Shots
Press the BLOCK button to jump up and block your opponent's shots. Hold the
BLOCK button until your opponent releases the ball, release the BLOCK button
at the same time to swat at the ball. Press BLOCK + TURBO try jump higher in
the air.
* Rebounding
Press the BLOCK button under the net after the ball has hit the rim to get
the ball after your opponent shoots. Press BLOCK + TURBO to jump higher in
the air. Auto rebounding may also occur if you are near the basket when it
misses the shot.
* Goaltending
As you try to block your opponents shots, don't jump up and intercept shots
before the ball hits the rim. You will be called for "Goaltending" and the
other team will be given possession of the ball and awarded points as if the
shot had made it.
* Free Throws
If your opponent commits 5 fouls (pushing the ball carrier) in one quarter,
and you are his fifth foul, you get to step up to the free throw line and
attempt one shot for three points. An accuracy meter appears with a marker
that moves back and forth. You have to hit the shoot button while the marker
is in the middle (green) area. If you make the shot, you get possession of
the ball, and if you miss the shot the ball is up for grabs.
* Clear Outs
Press STEAL + TURBO at the opponent with the ball to try and knock the ball
loose. Remember, small players can't clear out big players, powerful guys
tend to hold on to the ball when cleared out!
* Elbows
Quickly tap the TURBO button while you have the ball to move your elbows from
side to and make it hard for your opponents to steal the ball.
* Spectacular Dunks
As you run toward the basket and the lane is open, press SHOOT + TURBO to
jump high in the air and do a spectacular dunk on your opponent.
* Lay-up Out of Dunks
After pressing SHOOT + TURBO to do a dunk, press SHOOT again to perform a
lay-up.
* Hotspots
Each player has a secret hotspot. Shots taken from the hotspot make a
distinctive noise. The second successful shot from a player's hotspot will
activate the hotspot for the remainder of the game. Shooting from a hotspot
greatly increases the shot percentage!
* Alley Oop
As you have the ball and head toward the net, your teammate will jump at the
hoop and flash. Press the PASS button to pass him the ball for the "Alley
Oop". Without the ball, hit SHOOT + TURBO while running at the hoop, and hit
PASS while in the air. Three in a row gives you "Team Fire".
* Double Dunk
You and your teammate both jump high toward the basket. The person carrying
the ball presses the PASS button to dish off to the teammate behind him who
then dunks the ball. Three in a row gives you "Team Fire".
* On Fire
Any player who sinks three baskets in a row will become "On Fire" for his
next five shots. He has almost a 100% chance of making any shot he throws.
(actually, this isn't true - unrealistic 3 point shots might not go in). He
also has unlimited turbo and he can get away with a lot more fouls such as
goal tending. To extinguish an opponent who's "On Fire", the opposing team
must make one basket. *** Note that if you are on fire, it is good to goal
tend because even thougy your opponent scores, you are still on fire, whereas
if you let the shot go in you won't be on fire any more. ***
* Team Fire
After three double dunks or alley oops in a row, a team is on "Team Fire". At
this point, both players are "On Fire" for the next five shots. They have
almost a 100% chance of making any shot they throw. To extinguish "Team Fire"
the opposing team must perform a double dunk or an alley oop.
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6. FAQs
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After you select your team and players, at the bottom of the next screen
there are three pictures which can be changed by pressing buttons. What are
these?
These are the "V.S. Screen" Powerups. They appear at the bottom of the
screen, and by pressing certain icon and joystick combinations, you can
activate secret modes for NBA Showtime. Each player has a set of three icons.
Press the TURBO button to cycle through the first icon, SHOOT for the second,
and PASS for the third. Push the Joystick Up, Left, Right, or Down to lock in
each code. Try different combinations of letters and logos for powerups!
**
On the V.S. Screen, can you enter more than one code per player, or can you
input a code, lock it in and enter another one, and so on till time runs out?
You can enter as many V.S. Screen Powerups as you can in the 10 seconds you
are at the V.S. Screen. Don't forget to use the joystick to "lock" in each
code before you attempt to enter the next.
**
I have a code for a secret character. How do I pick him for my team?
Enter his name and pin number at the Enter Initials screen at the beginning
of the game, and he will be placed on the team that you choose.
**
How current are the team rosters?
They are as current as possible. We keep rosters updated up until the game
ships (end of March 1999 for the arcade game and as late as possible for the
home games).
**
How do I read each player's stats?
Each player's stats are displayed under his headshot. A number from one to 20
appears next to each stat, 1 being the worst and 20 being the best:
PWR (Power): a high power rating means more strength for clearing other
players out of the way, setting picks, or dunking through defenders.
SPD (Speed): a high speed rating means faster, more agile players.
2PTRS (2 Pt Shooting): a high 2 point rating means more baskets close to the
net.
3PTRS (3 Pt Shooting): a high 3 point rating means more baskets from far
away.
STL (Steal): a high steal rating means more effective swiping, stealing, and
intercepting of passes.
BLK (Blocks): a high block rating means more effective blocks against dunks
and
jump shots.
DNK (Dunks): a high dunk rating means more spectacular dunks that are harder
to block. A player with a zero will perform only lay-ups.
DRB (Dribble): a high dribble rating means better evasive moves to shake off
opponents and avoid steals.
You will be able to pick substitutions during half time
**
I own an arcade, and my NBA Showtime doesn't have all the features and NBA
players, such as Jason Williams and Paul Pierce? How come?
Your game hasn't been upgraded to Version 2.0! Contact your local distributor
right away and get your FREE upgrade.
**
Do I have any control over which juke move my player does when I double tap
the turbo button? Sometimes I get a crossover dribble and other times I get a
spin move.
You have no control over which dribbling move your player will do.
**
How many attribute points can my Create A Player character accumulate?
Each Created Character Starts with 80 points that you distribute among his
attributes. Each time you win 3 games you are awarded additional attribute
points to a Maximum of 120 Points.
**
Where is the code for "Infinite Turbo", "No Goaltending", "Always On-Fire",
etc.?
These codes were not included in NBA Showtime.
**
Are the Universal Monsters in the home versions of NBA Showtime?
The Universal Monsters only appear in the arcade version.
**
How do you do the move where you throw the ball at the backboard, it bounces
off, you jump, and dunk it?
You have to run straight down the middle of the court at the basket with no
one around you, and when you hit the top of the key you hit shoot+turbo.
