If your idea of a perfect sports game is more Tecmo Bowl energy than modern sim complexity, Acclaim and indie duo Namo Gamo have just served up an early holiday treat. Basketball Classics, the retro-inspired 8-bit basketball tribute, is headlining Steam Sports Fest with a massive 65% discount — running now through December 15.
For a game built from pure nostalgia and two creators’ deep love of NES and 16-bit-era sports titles, this is a price drop worth shouting about from half court.
A retro hoops love letter
Basketball Classics draws on the DNA of arcade-style sports games:
- Five-on-five action
- A seamless lane-based play-calling system
- Long-range three-pointers
- Cinematic dunk cutscenes
The rosters span decades of players (over 1,000 athletes, each with their own stats), and there’s even a career story mode stacked with unlockables. Local multiplayer? Absolutely — no retro-inspired sports game would dare launch without it. While Steam Deck compatibility is marked “unknown” some Steam reviews say that it runs fine on the handheld system.
Acclaim’s Marc Anthony Rodriguez says the game “captures everything that defines a great retro sports experience,” and it does feel like a long-lost NES/SNES basketball game — just polished enough to fit modern hardware.
He goes on: “It is a fully realized game built with true passion and precision by two creators who set out to honor the spirit of classic arcade basketball. The response from both new players and longtime fans has been remarkable. Its upcoming home console debut in 2026 marks an exciting milestone for the new Acclaim, Inc., with so much more to come.”
Console release coming next year
The Steam Sports Fest discount also follows a recent announcement from September: Basketball Classics is heading to consoles in 2026. Details are still under wraps, but Acclaim promises more news soon.
For now, if you love the golden age of pixelated sports gaming, this is an easy recommendation. The discount ends December 15, so if you’re tempted… dribble fast.
Basketball Classics is available now on Steam at 65% off during Steam Sports Fest.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
