NBA Action '98

Gameplay Tips from Jon Harrer
For more accurate passing, you should use "Passing Tags" to pass the ball to a specific player on your team. By pressing and holding the Left Shift Button, you will bring up a letter above each player's head. When you have determined who you would like to pass the ball to, press the designated button (A, B, C, Y or Z), while Left Shift is still held, to pass the ball to that player for an accurate pass. Make sure that you have the "Passing Tag Graphics" set to the On position on the "Game Options" screen in order to activate this type of passing.

Always try and jump to get the rebound. After you have taken a shot, press the Player Select Button (B Button in default) to switch to the closest player to the ball (and in this case the basket) and then press the Jump Button (C Button in default) to tip the ball in or grab the rebound. You can also try to make an "aggressive" rebound, which is done by pressing the A Button (default). The "aggressive" rebound will sometimes lead to a slam-dunk, but you can also get called for an offensive foul.

Use the Turbo Button (X Button in default) to get around a defender quickly or to get away from one. This will make you a little faster, giving you a slight burst of speed. Once you are close to the basket, press the Dunk/Drive Button (A Button in default) to slam the ball or lay it in. You must be careful not to commit a foul against the defender. If you use the Turbo Button too much, you will get tired - that is if you are playing with Stamina On. And if you run into a defender while using the Turbo Button, you will most likely be called for an offensive foul, such as "Charging".

You have a better chance of stealing the ball when you are standing on the side of the ball handler where he is dribbling the ball. So if the ball handler is dribbling the ball with his right hand, you want to be standing on his right side. Once you're next to the ball handler, press the Steal Button (A Button in default) to try and steal the ball. Remember to watch out for those reaching fouls and try anticipating passes, which are the best times to steal. More often than not, the computer will pass the ball to the nearest open player. Try stepping in front of the pass or reaching out with your hands to steal it.

For a quicker game, go into the Game Presentation under Game Options and turn off the Action Replays, the In-Game Movies and the Player Introductions. This will cut out the introductions of the starting line-ups, the replays in between plays and the movies during halftime. Or with them on, you can simply press the Start Button when they're being shown, to cut back to the game. You'll find that you end up finishing the game sooner.