'Basketball - The Pro Game' is a sports simulation game developed by Lance Haffner and published by Lance Haffner Games for the Commodore 64. Released in the mid-1980s, the game aimed to provide a realistic basketball experience on the home computer. It featured a top-down perspective, allowing players to control teams in a fast-paced, arcade-style basketball match. The game included options for single-player and two-player modes, with players managing their teams' offense and defense strategies.
The gameplay focused on simulating the flow of a professional basketball game, with players dribbling, passing, and shooting to score points. The controls were designed to be intuitive, using the joystick for movement and actions like passing or shooting. The game also included a shot clock and foul system to add depth and realism. While the graphics were simple due to the hardware limitations of the Commodore 64, the game was praised for its smooth animations and responsive controls.
Lance Haffner Games was known for its sports titles, and 'Basketball - The Pro Game' was one of the early attempts to bring a basketball simulation to home computers. The game was part of a growing trend in the 1980s to create sports games that appealed to both casual players and enthusiasts. Despite its simplicity, it captured the essence of basketball and provided an engaging experience for its time. The game remains a notable entry in the library of Commodore 64 sports titles.