NBA FastBreak '98 uses icon passing.[10] Players can choose from a simulation mode or a more simplified "arcade mode".[11] Unusual for a basketball game of its time, it also has a practice mode which allows players to learn moves outside the pressures of a game.[12][11]
Most reviews for the game ranged from middling to moderately positive. Critics overwhelmingly praised the advanced and detailed graphics,[16][17][23][12][24][27][10][28] but many also noted that they come at the cost of low game speed, making the gameplay feel sluggish.[16][17][12][24] The sound was also widely criticized, especially the weak crowd noises,[16][23][12][24] which Jay Boor of IGN compared to a "fizzled three-inch speaker", as well as remarking upon the poor quality of the rim sounds.[24] However, critics widely praised the controls,[16][17][23][27][28] the practice mode,[17][23][12][10] and the numerous options for customizing the game.[17][23][27][10]Sega Saturn Magazine added that since the options screens are kept simple, there is no loading when making changes, which encourages using these features.[27]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) and GameSpot's reviews for the Saturn version commented that, while not in any way spectacular, the game is solid and enjoyable and, with the Saturn having had a fairly weak lineup of basketball games, it stands as the best basketball game on the Saturn.[17][12] While opining that the PlayStation version is slightly better due to its sharper graphics, EGM's review for this version was less enthusiastic, saying that the PlayStation offers superior basketball video games.[16] Contrarily, both GamePro and Sega Saturn Magazine's reviews for the Saturn release considered it to be an excellent game even in absolute terms, with GamePro saying it "delivers with more authority than a Shaq tip-slam!"[27][28][d] A different GamePro critic reviewed the PlayStation version and had a more middling response, commenting that "... FastBreak does a good job of capturing the NBA experience, but it's missing the attitude that pushes NBA Live to the top. Dunks aren't slammed with authority, players don't get shoved to the ground very often, and the game sometimes turns into a cherry-pickin' battle as long passes lead to some easy baskets."[10][e]GameSpot also had a different critic review the PlayStation version, who was more positive, calling it a "good first attempt", and commenting that while the game is not the all-around best basketball game on the market, it was strong on enough points to be a viable contender against its competition.[23]
^In Electronic Gaming Monthly's review of the PlayStation version, Kraig Kujawa gave it a score of 7.5/10, Dan Hsu gave it 7/10, John Ricciardi gave it 6.5/10, and Kelly Rickards gave it 6.5/10.
^In GameFan's viewpoint of the PlayStation version, one critic gave it 88, and the other 87.
^In GameFan's viewpoint of the Saturn version, two critics gave it each a score of 86.
^GamePro gave the Saturn version 4.0/5 for graphics, 4.0/5 for control, 3.5/5 for sound, and 4.5/5 for fun factor.
^GamePro gave the PlayStation version 4.5/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, 4.0/5 for control, and 4.0/5 for fun factor.
^Johnny Ballgame (October 1997). "Sports Insider Previews: NBA Hardwood Heroes". GamePro. No. 109. IDG. p. 160.
^"NBA Fastbreak '98". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 101. Ziff Davis. December 1997. p. 93. Midway is very close to releasing NBA Fastbreak '98 (the game formerly known as Hardwood Heroes).
^"NBA Action '98: Sega Juices Up their Roundball Flagship". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 100. Ziff Davis. November 1997. p. 51. If you look closely, however, you might recognize that this game is nearly identical to Midway's NBA Fast Break (formerly known as Hardwood Heroes), which is the PlayStation version of this game.
^"News Bits". GamePro. No. 109. IDG. October 1997. p. 32.
^Young, Jeffrey Adam (February 17, 1998). "NBA Action 98 (PC)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
