Play Magic Johnson's Fast Break Online

Magic Johnson's Fast Break came out for the NES in 1988 from Arcadia Systems. It was one of the many sports titles trying to capture the feel of arcade basketball on the home console, a time when simple graphics and straightforward concepts ruled. You did not get a full five on five simulation; it was a stripped down, faster take on the sport.

You control Magic Johnson himself in a two on two full court game. The main goal is to outscore the opposing team within a short quarter. Signature mechanics include the full court scrolling, which was not common at the time, and a salary mode where you earn money based on performance to improve your player. The pacing is frantic, the computer defense is notoriously aggressive, and scoring often turns into a chaotic scramble under the net. It feels like a messy, energetic playground game crammed onto a cartridge.