27 April 1998.
It's been a week since both Jackie Chan Stuntmaster and NBA Live 98 were released. Both games are solid in their own right, offering fun experiences for different types of players. But for Jeremy Nast, a high school student from America with an intense love for basketball, NBA Live 98 is more than just a good game—it's a slam dunk. The moment it dropped, Jeremy didn't hesitate. He went straight to the store and bought a copy on release day, excited beyond belief. He'd seen previews, read the early buzz, and followed every ZAGE Forums thread he could find. For him, this was a must-play.
As for Jackie Chan Stuntmaster? Jeremy thought it looked interesting, sure. The martial arts action and stunts seemed cool, and Jackie Chan was always fun to watch in movies. But unless he started hearing serious praise or saw gameplay clips that really hooked him, that one would have to wait. Maybe he'd pick it up if it became a sleeper hit or his friends recommended it. But for now? NBA Live 98 was his priority, no question about it.
When he started playing, Jeremy jumped straight into MyCareer mode—his absolute favorite. This mode already existed back in ZAGE NBA Live 95, the company's last big basketball title, but the improvements in NBA Live 98 completely blew him away. It wasn't just better—it felt like an entirely new experience. There was so much added depth, and so many features packed in that Jeremy could hardly believe what he was seeing. It wasn't just a basketball game anymore; it was a journey.
One of the biggest surprises was the player interviews. After key games, you'd have to face the press, and your answers actually mattered. Depending on what you said, your fame could rise, or your teammates' opinion of you might shift—positively or negatively. The system felt reactive and alive, something Jeremy had never experienced before in a sports game.
Then came the character creation. You didn't just name your player and jump in—you selected a build template, which determined your starting stats and playstyle. Whether you were a fast and crafty point guard or a physical, hard-hitting center, your entire NBA journey would branch off from those first few choices. And when the season began, it wasn't just about winning games. You were given personal goals, challenges that shaped your career arc: start off as a bench player trying to become a starter, then work your way up to being a key player, a star, and eventually a championship winner.
The career structure gave everything a sense of purpose, like you were part of an unfolding story instead of just grinding through games. Jeremy was instantly hooked, and he knew he was going to spend countless hours chasing every one of those goals.
And the grind? Absolutely wild. Players can dive deep into a variety of training drills, and it's not just fluff—these actually impact your character's development over time. There are two main categories: Technique and Strength training. In the Technique section, you're given skill-specific drills based on your character's build and playstyle. For example, a pass-first point guard might get precision passing drills, while a high-flyer might focus on timing-based dunk routines. Completing these drills successfully nudges your ratings upward, but the progression is intentionally slow and steady. You won't max out in a week—it takes real time and commitment.
Then there's Strength training. This includes a series of engaging minigames—things like sprint drills, reaction time tests, and weight room challenges. These help boost your physical attributes, such as speed, vertical jump, stamina, and strength. They're more interactive than just watching a bar fill up and make you feel like you're actually putting in the work, just like a real athlete.
Beyond drills, you also earn experience points (EXP) from actual games. But it's not a flat amount—the better you play, the more you earn. Score a triple-double? You'll get a huge EXP bonus. Miss every shot and commit turnovers? Your gains will be minimal. The system rewards smart play, not just flashy stats.
Once you hit certain EXP milestones or complete specific challenges, you unlock badges. These badges act as passive boosts for your player—things like faster first steps, better contested shots, or improved court vision. Some badges are rare and take serious dedication to earn, but they can totally change how your player feels on the court.
And let's talk about appearance customization—it's next level. There's a huge library of hairstyles, facial features, accessories, shoes, and more. You can make your player look exactly how you want. All of this combined makes it feel like you're not just controlling a character—you're building a legacy.
Now Jeremy is deep into another session, and his character—also named Jeremy Nast—is fully locked in. Wearing jersey number 66, he was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks as a point guard. His build focuses on fast-paced passing and explosive movement, ideal for creating plays and slashing through defenses. After grinding for hours across the season, his overall rating now sits at an impressive 82. What's more? This isn't just any game—Jeremy is playing in the NBA Finals as a rookie. And not just against any team—but up against the legendary 1998 Chicago Bulls, with none other than Michael Jordan himself standing in his way.
"Let's go, baby!" Jeremy shouted at the screen, completely amped. "But damn, ZAGE! This dynamic difficulty is no joke!" In NBA Live 98's MyCareer mode, there's no traditional difficulty slider. Players can't just pick Easy, Normal, or Hard. Instead, the game adapts to how well you're playing. Everyone starts on Normal, but if you consistently perform well—scoring, assisting, playing smart basketball—the difficulty subtly increases on its own. And to balance the added challenge, your experience points also scale up, rewarding you for stepping up.
Jeremy was still amazed that the developers had pulled this off. How did ZAGE manage to make something that responded so intelligently to the player's skill level? The mastermind behind this mechanic was none other than Zaboru himself. As the lead designer of the game, Zaboru believed that true enjoyment came from growth and mastery. He didn't want players coasting through MyCareer on the lowest difficulty. If you wanted to learn the basics, there were Normal exhibition modes and specific training tutorials for that. But MyCareer? That was meant for players who were ready to put their knowledge to the test, to be challenged, to earn every point, win, and badge.
Now Jeremy is back in the action, and during gameplay, his point guard is doing all he can—scoring, assisting, and trying to control the pace. But still, Michael Jordan is just too overpowered. No matter the angle or position, it feels like Jordan finds a way to score. He's absolutely relentless. And Scottie Pippen? He's the perfect wingman, dishing out assist after assist, always knowing where Jordan will be before he gets there.
Despite the quarter length being only seven minutes each, the game plays out like a war. When the final buzzer sounds, Jeremy's Atlanta Hawks fall short, losing to the Bulls 97–92. Michael Jordan drops an incredible 44 points, while Jeremy's player—Jeremy Nast—puts up an impressive 31 points and 11 assists. It's a fantastic performance by Jeremy's character, but it's just not enough to stop the unstoppable.
Jeremy isn't discouraged, though. His skills have sharpened. He's grown more confident with advanced dribble moves, deadly crossovers, and smart layup cuts. He's not just playing anymore—he's competing at a high level. But even with all that, Jordan remains a nightmare. Things get even worse when Jeremy's character heats up—because then the Bulls assign Jordan to guard him. And passing Michael Jordan? Practically impossible. He reads movements before they happen. He pressures every dribble. It's infuriatingly realistic.
"DAMN! It's so hard!" Jeremy shouted, throwing his hands up in the air. But even in the heat of frustration, a grin spread across his face. This was what he lived for. The Finals had just begun—Game One was in the books, and there was still plenty of basketball left to play. He hadn't given up hope. Far from it.
There was something thrilling about being tested like this. Being pushed to his limits by the likes of Michael Jordan and the Bulls wasn't discouraging—it was inspiring. Jeremy thrived on these kinds of challenges, where every decision mattered, where every possession was a fight. The feeling of being under pressure, of trying to break through an all-time great's defense, was something he couldn't get enough of.
Playing with his MyPlayer, grinding through setbacks, adapting, improving—it all made the eventual victories that much sweeter. And with ZAGE's intelligent difficulty system, the game kept pushing back every time he tried to get ahead. But Jeremy didn't mind. It made every moment feel earned.
He leaned forward, grabbed the controller with both hands, and readied up the next game. He wasn't just hoping for a win—he was coming for revenge. One loss down, but this series wasn't over. Not even close. Jeremy was locked in, fired up, and more determined than ever to lead the Hawks past Jordan's Bulls and made history.
Many players across the world—especially in the USA—feel the same way. NBA Live 98 isn't just a great basketball game; it feels like a generational leap in sports gaming. The graphics alone are jaw-dropping, truly showcasing the power and capabilities of the ZEPS 3's 64-bit hardware. The animations are fluid, the lighting is realistic, and player models look more lifelike than ever before.
The gameplay is equally groundbreaking. From the smooth transitions between animations to the AI's adaptive behavior on both offense and defense, players are constantly challenged to play smart, think fast, and adjust their strategies on the fly. The MyCareer mode's depth and progression system has blown players away, and the dynamic difficulty ensures no two games feel exactly the same.
Because of all this, the release of NBA Live 98 has become more than just another product launch—it's a statement. A declaration from ZAGE that they're not just dipping their toes into the sports genre anymore. They're taking it seriously. They've arrived, and they intend to compete with the biggest names in sports gaming.
To be continue
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