A Konami NES basketball game with impressive animated dunk sequences for its time. Simple but brisk gameplay. A bit dated today but entertaining for short sessions.
Your verdict
Category
Sports4 players3+
Description
Konami basketball simulation featuring fictional teams and spectacular dunk mechanics. Published by Konami, released in the USA in 1987. Fictional basketball teams, animated close-up dunks and season and exhibition modes. NES port of Konami's Double Dribble arcade.
Double Dribble review
3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
Arcade basketball at its most direct: quick passes, dunks celebrated with a little cutscene and snappy matches up to four. The immediate handling and the joy of scoring at the buzzer make all the flavour. Simple, readable and full of energy, this convivial sport guarantees quick games where rivalry builds fast among friends.
A NES port of Konami's Double Dribble arcade game, this 1987 American edition stands as one of the first notable console basketball sims, famous for its animated close-up dunk sequences. Its collecting appeal is mainly historical and nostalgic, rooted in Konami's early NES catalogue. Widely produced, it stays affordable, with sealed copies forming the only genuine point of scarcity.
Is Double Dribble still worth playing in 2026?
A Konami basketball, Double Dribble was among the first to stage spectacular close-up dunks and a digitized anthem, in snappy, accessible five-on-five matches. The pace, the readability and the immediate joy of baskets make it a pleasant arcade sport, especially in two-player. The tactical depth stays limited and the presentation has aged. A likable curiosity for fans of retro arcade basketball and nostalgics of Konami sports on the NES.
