Ultimate Basketball NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Sports

Ultimate Basketball

Deep cut

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1990
GenreSports
DeveloperAicom
PublisherSammy
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 3

Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990, Ultimate Basketball is a sports game developed by Aicom and published by Sammy.

It landed about 5 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1990 include Final Fantasy III, Dr. Mario and Mega Man 3.

Aicom also made Amagon, Totally Rad and All-Pro Basketball for the NES.

Ultimate Basketball supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to race and compete
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you've played the NES hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you need current teams and rosters

What playing Ultimate Basketball is like

Sports games bring football, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, wrestling and more to the console, from simulation-style management to over-the-top arcade action.

Tip for newcomers: Arcade-style sports games are the easiest to enjoy today; simulation titles may have outdated rosters but still offer satisfying gameplay.

Ultimate Basketball gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Ultimate Basketball cheats & codes

4 codes on file (Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Emulator memory codes codes to start with:

Minutes Modifier04B4:30
Seconds Modifier04B6:30 04B7:30
Team 1 Score Modifier00CC:30 00CD:30 00CE:30
Team 2 Score Modifier00CF:30 00D0:30 00D1:30

See all Ultimate Basketball cheats

Ultimate Basketball walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Ultimate Basketball.

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Playing NES games today

NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.

Ultimate Basketball FAQ

When did Ultimate Basketball come out on the NES?

Ultimate Basketball was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990.

Who made Ultimate Basketball?

It was developed by Aicom and published by Sammy.

Is Ultimate Basketball multiplayer?

Yes. Ultimate Basketball supports up to 2 players.

How long does Ultimate Basketball take to play?

As a sports game, Ultimate Basketball typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Ultimate Basketball on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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