NBA In The Zone '99 is one of those late '90s N64 basketball games that somehow nails the arcade-y feel while still keeping things grounded. The animations are surprisingly smooth for the era—players actually pivot and stumble realistically instead of just sliding around like in some older sports titles.

You’ve got all the usual modes—season play, exhibition matches—but what stands out is how responsive the controls are. Passing feels crisp, and pulling off a last-second three-pointer actually requires some timing rather than just button mashing. The Japanese version has some slight differences in the roster and menus, but it’s still totally playable even if you don’t read the language.

It’s not as flashy as NBA Jam, but if you want something that straddles the line between arcade fun and sim basketball, this one holds up better than you’d expect.