Before NBA Jam dunked its way into arcades, the NES had All-Pro Basketball in 1989. Developed by Aicom and published by Vic Tokai, this is old-school hoops in 8-bit form—complete with side-scrolling gameplay, generic teams, and that weird court perspective where the camera “flips” when you cross half-court. It’s janky, it’s awkward, and it’s absolutely charming in that late-80s sports game way.

You pick from eight fictional teams (sorry, no Jordan here) and hit the court for basic basketball action. The controls are simple: pass, shoot, steal, dunk. The presentation is pure NES quirkiness—complete with digitized refs, cheerleaders, and those unforgettable cutscene-style dunks that looked like the coolest thing ever back then. It’s not realistic, but it’s fun, and that’s what counts.

Why should you buy retro games like this one?

1. It’s one of the earliest attempts at a full basketball sim on the NES.
2. Those dunk animations are pure 8-bit gold.
3. It’s a quirky, budget-friendly sports title that collectors love to show off.

If you’re filling out your NES collection, All-Pro Basketball is a slam dunk of retro charm. Not the flashiest game, but a perfect time capsule of late-80s sports gaming. And yeah—buy retro games on Retro Games eXchange, because even the oddballs deserve a spot in your lineup.