NBA Action '98
(Sega Saturn - PAL, Basketball)
Complete
$91.75
Loose $34.55
Developed by:
Visual Concepts
Published by:
Sega
Released On:
01 Jan 1998
NBA Action '98 is a fast-paced basketball game that brings the excitement of the NBA to life on the Sega Saturn. The story mode takes you through the 1997-98 season, where you play as your favorite team and compete against other top-notch squads. With a variety of opponents to face, each with their own strengths and weaknesses, you'll need to stay focused and strategize your moves to come out on top.
Gameplay-wise, NBA Action '98 is an arcade-style basketball experience that's all about speed and skill. Control your player as they dash down the court, jump for rebounds, and sink shots from beyond the arc. With a range of special moves at your disposal, you can outmaneuver opponents and score big.
The game features a variety of modes, including a story mode where you play through an entire season, as well as a quick-play option for pick-up games with friends or against AI opponents. The graphics are colorful and vibrant, with detailed player models and arenas that immerse you in the world of basketball.
UPC-A:
4974365811242 (Europe)
Part #:
MK81124-50 (Europe)
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Prices as of 09 Oct 2026
Typical $82.94β$91.94 (last 90 days)
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
How to Play
Getting Started
Set up your Sega Saturnβ’ System as described in its instruction manual. Plug in Control Pad.
Make sure the power is off, then insert NBA ACTION '98 disc, label side up, into the well of the CD tray and then close the lid.
Turn the power switch on. In a few moments the title screen will appear.
Press the START Button on the Saturn Control Pad to advance past the title sequence and begin play.
If the title screen doesn't appear, turn the power switch off. Make sure your system is set up correctly and the CD-ROM is properly inserted. Then turn the power switch on.
Disc Care
Your Sega Saturn CD contains a security code that allows the disc to be read. Be sure to keep the disc clean and handle it carefully.
If your Sega Saturn system has trouble reading the disc, remove the disc and wipe it carefully. Start from the center of the disc and wipe straight out toward the edge.
Basic Controls
β’
Alley-Oop: As soon as a player raises his hand to call for the ball, pass the ball to him towards the basket.
β’
Cut to Basket: After the Playcall Menu is up, press the L Shift Button to have the nearest man to the ballhandler cut to the basket.
β’
Close Cut: After the Playcall Menu is up, press the R Shift Button to have the man nearest the basket cut to the basket.
β’
Precision Movement: Hold down turbo and step modifier together to get faster precision movement.
Rebounding
Rebounding or "crashing the boards" is a key element in both your offensive and defensive arsenal. Use the slider bar as described within the Coaching Strategies section on page 20 to set how hard you want your team to crash the boards.
To rebound a ball on either offense or defense, press the B Button to choose the player closest to the ball and press the C Button to jump.
β’
Box Out: When a shot is up, use the Y Button to have your player "Box Out."
β’
Aggressive Rebound: On offense, the A Button activates an "aggressive" rebound which tries to tip the ball back in.
Free-Throws
Each time you shoot a Free-Throw, the Free-Throw Site will appear. You will use this to aim your shot.
β’
The vertical icon represents the trajectory of the ball.
β’
The horizontal icon represents the aim of the ball.
To shoot a perfect Free-Throw, line-up the basketball icons in the center of the grid by pressing the C Button at the appropriate time.
Main Menu
To make a selection in the Main Menu, press the D-Pad UP or DOWN to choose an option and press the C Button to enter your selection. Press the B Button to return to a previous menu.
β’
Exhibition: Play a single, non-season game using the teams of your choice.
β’
New Season: Begin a new season using the team of your choice. Press the D-Pad LEFT/RIGHT to set the season length at full season or reduced 28 or 54 game season.
β’
New Playoffs: Choose a team and enter a regulation run for the NBA championship.
β’
Practice: Warm up before the game - you have the whole floor to yourself where you can work on your dunks and perfect your shot.
β’
Game Options: Adjust the game configurations to your own specifications.
β’
Player Menu: Trade players, create players, view player profiles, player lineups, team rosters and user records.
Choosing Teams
Before beginning play in Exhibition, New Season or New Playoffs modes, you must first choose your team(s). Press the D-Pad LEFT or RIGHT to select your team.
When you have chosen your team, press the D-Pad DOWN and highlight the team set below and repeat. Once you have made your team choices, press the C Button to enter your selections.
Next you must assign teams. In a Single-Player game, position the "1" icon beside your team of choice and press the C Button. In a Two-Player game, player two must position the "2" icon beside his/her team of choice before pressing the C Button.
Name Entry
Entering your name allows you to keep a record of your wins, losses and personal stats.
1. Position the "1" icon beside a name bank.
2. Press the C Button to call up a letter, then press the D-Pad UP or DOWN to cycle through the letter choices.
3. Move the D-Pad RIGHT to the next space and repeat the procedure.
4. Press the C Button again once you have entered your full name.
Note: Name Entry default setting is off, therefore set to "on" to enter your name.
New Season
To begin a new season you must first choose your team. Along with each team, you will be given that squad's 1996-'97 season record along with the starting lineup. To enter your team selection, press the C Button. The Season Menu will then appear.
Here you can configure the following pre-game season settings:
β’
Play Game: Begin your season.
β’
Simulate Game: Select this to have the computer play the game for you. Press the C Button to see the final score of each contest.
β’
NBA Standings: View the current standings in your season, and current NBA leader stats.
β’
Team Roster: Displays your team roster along with each player's attributes. Cycle through attributes with D-Pad LEFT/RIGHT or press the X Button to view statistics.
β’
**Player Season
Controls
START
Pause game/Call-up Pause Menu
D-Pad
Move player in any direction
A BUTTON
Dunk/Drive/Juke
B BUTTON
Pass
C BUTTON
Shoot
X BUTTON
Turbo
Y BUTTON
Player select
Z BUTTON
Activate Playcall Menu
L SHIFT
Activate pass indicators
R SHIFT
Step modifier
L TRIGGER
Call for pass
R TRIGGER
Step modifier
Tips & Maps
TL
Nearest Man Cuts to Basket.
TR
Man Closest to Basket Cuts.
X (Offense)
Call for Alley-oop.
Y (Offense)
Set Pick.
Z (Offense)
Cancel Menu.
A (Offense)
Call for Play A.
B (Offense)
Call for Play B.
C (Offense)
Call for Play C.
Y (Defense)
Call for Double Team.
Z (Defense)
Cancel Menu.
A (Defense)
Call for Defensive Set A.
B (Defense)
Call for Defensive Set B.
C (Defense)
Call for Defensive Set C.
Jump Ball
Press the C Button at the right time to attempt to tip the ball to a teammate during the tip-off.
High Percentage Shooting
Pass to a low post player, hold down the R Shift Button to maneuver toward the basket, and fire off the shot when in range.
Give & Go
Press the B Button while the pass is in the air.
Catch & Shoot
Press the C Button to call for a shot while the pass is in the air.
Pick Play
The closest player to the ball handler will set a pick.
Pick the Picker
A version of the 'Pick and Roll' where the center sets a screen for the point guard and is given a screen by the shooting guard as he 'rolls' to the basket. Used by teams such as Miami and San Antonio.
Zipper
A traditional play where the shooting guard receives the ball on the weak side and has the option to shoot outside or pass to the power forward in the post. Used by teams such as Philadelphia and Utah.
One Up
A play set up by the point guard passing to the small forward in the paint who can shoot or pass to the shooting guard getting open through screens. Used by teams such as Detroit and Dallas.
Elbow Pick
A play where the small forward sets a screen for the point guard who can shoot or pass to the center in the paint. Used by teams such as Orlando and Toronto.
Triple Post 1
Features three players on one side forming a triangle, allowing the player in the paint to shoot or pass to an open player at the three-point line. Used by teams such as Chicago and Charlotte.
Triple Post 2
A version of 'Triple Post 1' set up at the opposite side of the halfcourt. Used by teams such as Chicago and Denver.
Five High
A play where all five players start outside the key and work in through screens and ball movement, usually for three-point plays. Used by teams such as Cleveland and Phoenix.
Two Out
Features the shooting guard and power forward isolated on one side, with the shooting guard receiving a screen at the three-point line to shoot or pass to the power forward. Used by teams such as Vancouver and Golden State.
Hawk
A basic play where the point guard receives a screen from the power forward and can shoot, pass to the center, or pass to the popping power forward. Used by teams such as Atlanta and Minnesota.
Baseline Double
A three-point play where the shooting guard receives two screens along the baseline to get open at the three-point line. Used by Indiana.
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