Basketball Legends

About Basketball Legends

Basketball Legends is the two-player half-court game that a lot of people mean when they say "basketball game" — you choose a team, then either run a tournament against the CPU or play quick matches against whoever is sitting next to you. Dunks and three-pointers are both worth chasing, and blocking is a real defensive option rather than decoration.

What separates it from the ragdoll basketball games elsewhere on this site is that the controls actually reward practice. You can slap the ball loose from an opponent, and there is a super shot bar at the top of the screen that fills as you play, so a match can turn on one saved-up shot after a long stretch of trading baskets.

How to play

Pick a team, then choose tournament play against the CPU or a two-player quick match. Move your player toward the ball, shoot from range for threes or drive in for a dunk, and use block and slap on defence to knock your opponent down and take the ball. When the super shot bar at the top of the screen is full, you can fire a special dunk from anywhere that never fails. Player 1 uses WASD plus X, Z and V; Player 2 uses the arrow keys plus K and L.

Controls

• Player 1 — WASD move and jump; X, Z, V slap, throw and dunk
• Player 2 — Arrow keys move and jump; K, L slap, throw and dunk
• Solo tournament vs CPU supported

Tips to win

• Slap on defence rather than standing still — knocking the ball loose wins you possession.
• The full super shot never fails, so hold it for a moment when the basket really matters.
• Mix dunks and threes; a player who only does one is easy to defend.

Basketball Legends strategy guide

Basketball Legends rewards players who mix scoring options instead of forcing one move. After choosing your team, you can enter a challenging tournament against the CPU or play quick matches against a friend. Dunks and 3 pointers are both ways to win, and a player who only ever drives or only ever shoots is easy to read. Keep your opponent guessing about which is coming.

Learn your key set before the tip-off. Player 1 moves and jumps with WASD and uses X, Z and V for slap, throw and dunk; Player 2 moves and jumps with the arrow keys and uses K and L for the ball actions. In two-player games, sit so neither of you is reaching across the other. Pressing the wrong action key in a hurry is how easy possessions get wasted.

Defence is active: block and slap to knock your opponent down and take the ball. The game encourages you to slap the ball carrier to win possession, so standing still on defence gives away free points. Stay close to the player with the ball and choose your moment. A mistimed slap or jump can leave the basket wide open behind you.

Watch the super shot bar at the top of the screen and plan around it. Once the bar is fully loaded, you can use a special dunk from wherever you are standing, and it never fails. That makes it a guaranteed basket you control the timing of. Many players spend it the instant it fills; holding it for a tight moment in the match can be the smarter play.

Use the CPU tournament as practice before challenging a friend. The tournament gives you a steady run of opponents to sharpen your timing on shots, blocks and slaps. Once your key presses are automatic, quick matches against a friend become far more competitive. The most common mistake in both modes is attacking constantly and forgetting to get back on defence.

Basketball Legends FAQ