Introduction
Released in 1989, Arch Rivals was an over-the-top arcade basketball game developed and published by Midway. Dubbed a “basketbrawl” by its creators, it stood out for allowing players to punch, trip, and tackle their opponents — all while scoring baskets in a fast-paced 2-on-2 format. It was one of the earliest games to fuse sports with arcade-style violence, paving the way for the more polished and famous NBA Jam series.
Development and History
- Developer: Midway Games
- Publisher: Midway Games
- Release Date: 1989
- Hardware: Midway Y Unit (used for games like Smash TV)
Arch Rivals was designed as a fun, rule-breaking twist on traditional basketball. Instead of fouls and free throws, players were encouraged to punch opponents and steal the ball with reckless abandon. The development team included several figures who would later go on to work on NBA Jam (1993), including Eugene Jarvis’s team at Midway.
The game was released in upright cabinets with a joystick and two-button control scheme: one for shooting/passing and one for punching. It featured fictional teams and characters with cartoonish personalities.
Gameplay Video
Gameplay and Mechanics
Players select from a roster of exaggerated athletes, each with different personalities (but similar stats), and play in 2-on-2 matches where the only rule is: win by any means necessary.
Key features:
- No fouls or penalties for punching opponents
- 2-on-2 arcade basketball with exaggerated animations
- Players can dive, steal, and trip each other
- Glass-breaking slam dunks and comic-style antics
- Each quarter is 4 minutes long; highest score wins
- CPU or 2-player competitive/co-op mode
Matches are quick, chaotic, and comedic — emphasizing action and disruption over realistic basketball strategy.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
- Served as the foundation for NBA Jam’s core formula of 2-on-2 arcade basketball
- Gained popularity in arcades for its humor and chaotic gameplay
- Later ported to NES, Sega Genesis, and Game Gear
- Remains a cult favorite among retro sports game fans
- Pioneered a subgenre of sports games where realism took a back seat to arcade fun
Fun Facts
- Midway called it “basketbrawl” in their own marketing materials
- The game included fictional advertising (like “Footin’ the Bill Shoes”) on the court
- Characters had names like Hammer, Moose, and Blade — each with unique visual quirks
- It was one of the few basketball games in arcades before the NBA license boom
Conclusion
Arch Rivals wasn’t about rules — it was about chaos, comedy, and cartoon violence on the hardwood. Its irreverent take on basketball earned it a loyal following and directly inspired the blockbuster success of NBA Jam just a few years later. For many, it was their first taste of fast-paced, anything-goes arcade sports — and it set a tone that would echo for decades.