How to play One-on-One Basketball online
- Move your player: arrow keys
- Jump shot (on offense): hold Z to jump, release it to shoot
- Spin around: tap Z quickly
- Steal, block or go for a rebound (on defense): Z
- Call a time out: X (up to three per player per game)
- Slow-motion play on or off: F2 (Select)
- Back to the options menu: F3 (Reset)
- Pause: F4
Both the USA (NTSC) and Europe (PAL) releases are on this page; use the switch to pick one.
Gameplay
It is street-style basketball: one basket, two players, no teammates. You play as Dr. J or Larry Bird against the computer, or a friend takes the other star. The two play differently. Dr. J is a step quicker when he drives to the basket, while Bird is bigger and stronger, which makes him the better rebounder.
A normal basket counts 2 points, a shot from behind the three-point line counts 3, and free throws count 1. A shot clock in the top right corner keeps things moving: if it runs out before you shoot, you lose the ball. Fouls matter too. As long as the defender has committed fewer than five fouls, a foul just gives the attacker the ball out of bounds; from the fifth foul on, the attacker goes to the free-throw line. Slam a dunk hard enough and the backboard shatters, and especially good plays are shown again as a slow-motion instant replay.
Game options
- Skill level: Park & Rec, Varsity, College or Pro.
- Game length: timed quarters of two, four, six or eight minutes, or a points game – the traditional 21 points or a target score you set.
- Possession: “Winner’s outs” keeps the scorer on offense; “loser’s outs” hands the ball to the other player after a basket.
- Players: one player against the computer, or two players head to head.
Tips
- Play to your star’s strengths. With Dr. J, drive to the basket; with Bird, fight for rebounds.
- Use the spin. A quick tap of Z turns your player around, which is useful when you have your back to the basket.
- Watch the shot clock. Don’t dribble around until it runs out; take the shot.
- Count the fouls. Once your opponent has five, every foul they commit sends you to the free-throw line.
- Try slow motion. F2 slows the game down, which is a good way to learn the timing of jump shots.
The story behind One-on-One
Eric Hammond wrote One on One: Dr. J vs. Larry Bird for the Apple II, and Electronic Arts published it in 1983. Erving and Bird were each paid $25,000, plus a royalty, to appear in it. The game is often credited with the first instant replay in a sports video game, and the shattering backboard became its best-known gag. It was Electronic Arts’ best-selling game as of 1987 and had sold 400,000 copies by late 1988. Also in 1988, a sequel, Jordan vs. Bird, swapped Dr. J for Michael Jordan.
Atari Corporation brought the game to the 7800 in 1987 under the shorter name One-on-One Basketball. AtariAge notes that while it may not be the strongest version of the game, it was the one that got the most press attention, and it keeps the backboard-breaking dunks and a good range of options.
