Retro Video Game Review: Harlem Globetrotters (NES)

Overall Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

In 1991, a basketball game was released on the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System video game console. This in itself was nothing remarkably special, as the machine already had a few roundball titles under its belt. But this one had potential to be unique: Not only was it a Harlem Globetrotters game, licensed for the traveling team known for their zany on-court antics and tricks, but it was also going to be published by GameTek, previously known for their game show video games, with development work done by Softie Inc., who had only prior worked on a couple of computer games, neither of which were sports simulations, and their lone NES cartridge of Classic Concentration. At the very least, this had to be interesting.

Gameplay

Harlem Globetrotters is a full-court hardwood five-on-five basketball simulation for one or two players who play as either the Globetrotters or their nemesis team, the Washington Generals. Just as in real life, the Generals play straightforward, back-to-the-basics ball while the Globetrotters utilize amazing tricks and talents toward victory. Each game followed standard basketball rules: Four periods of time-limited play, two- and three-point shots, along with one-point free throws, fouls, backcourt violations, steals, dunks, blocks, traveling calls, etc.

In terms of play control, the player passes with the A button and offense and shoots with the B button. On defense, the B button jumps when an opposing player shoots, and the A button steals the ball from a handling defender. Additionally, though, the highlight of the game is the special shot selection available at certain spots on the court at various times. A Globetrotter may fly in for a dunk from the three-point line, or perform an incredible multiple-somersault dunk from the free-throw line, or kick the ball from long-distance, etc.

But even when the ball is not in play, ‘trotters can even perform tricks like tripping the ref on his way to officiate a free throw, pulling his pants down during a tip-off, throwing a free throw only to retract the ball on an invisible string, etc. It is these unique tricks that add an extra dimension, albeit thin, to the gameplay. Add the variable settings for which team to play as, period length, and difficulty level, and the basketball sim is complete.

However, the gameplay itself does have flaws: The pacing is stilted in an odd way. For example, whenever the ball is blocked, play freezes for all other players while the jump-shooter and the blocker fall back to the floor in slow motion. There are other instances when on-court play freezes, too, or outright slows down. The motion of the ball is noticeably “off” compared to other basketball games, especially when animating a pass. It seems like some programming trickery was used for shortcuts as well, to accommodate all the on-screen sprites.

Graphics

As mentioned previously, this video game does have some presentation problems. Not only is there pervasive slowdown, but there are definite sprite-flickering issues when too many players occupy the same row of pixels on the screen. Otherwise, as far as the actual graphics, they are actually not too bad; the players are not very detailed, but not as bad as some 8-bit NES basketball games, and the tricks are fun to watch. The menu screens, halftime, etc., are done fairly well, with plenty of red-white-and-blue flair to accompany the signature three-hued ball; which, oddly enough, is missing from the gameplay itself, despite it being on the opening options screen and used by the team in reality. This absence is unfortunate, but likely simply a result of it being difficult to animate three colors on such a small object at the time.

Sound

A fun digitized version of the jazz standard “Sweet Georgia Brown,” the theme song of the Harlem Globetrotters, is used as background music throughout the title, menu, and halftime screens. During the actual basketball games, there is no background track, save the occasional organ notes for a “Charge!” anthem. The sound effects actually seem a little quiet; for one example, there is a sound for the dribbling of the ball, used every single time it hits the court, but it is not nearly as emphasized and ear-grating as the Double Dribble version. While that instance is nice, flourishes like the net-swish, whistle, and others could honestly use a little more “oomph.” Perhaps the best punch is the harder rim-thump for drunks.

Originality

Like Double Dribble and its dunk cutscenes, like Arch Rivals and its opponent-punching, Harlem Globetrotters is a middle-of-the-field NES basketball game with a gimmick. It is not as bad as an atrocious license game like Magic Johnson’s Fast Break, neither does it hone its on-court action to the perfection of Tecmo NBA Basketball, or even the worthy Ultimate Basketball. It is the Globetrotter tricks that keep this game from merely being “meh,” and what provide its creativity, even if drawn directly from real life. Nonetheless, this is still an average video game, as far as the NES collection is concerned, and draws a rating of two and a half stars out of five.


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