Arch Rivals is a two-on-two basketball game published by Midway for arcades and ported to the NES in 1989. Its defining rule is the absence of rules: there are no fouls. Punching, elbowing, and shoving your opponent to knock the ball loose is not just permitted — it is the point. That anarchic formula made it one of the earliest basketball games to ditch simulation for brawling, a blueprint Midway later polished into NBA Jam.
How to play
You and your CPU teammate face off against a two-player opposing team. The goal is to outscore the opposition by shooting the ball through the opposing basket. Choose two of eight selectable players at the start; each has different speed and shooting ability. Use the arrow keys to move around the court. When you have possession, X (NES A) shoots and Z (NES B) passes to your teammate. When the other team has the ball, X throws a punch — often the quickest way to force a turnover. There are no free throws. Every foul goes unpunished.
| Arrow keys | Move |
| X | Shoot (with ball) / Punch (without ball) |
| Z | Pass |
| Enter | START |
| Shift | SELECT |
Tips
- Punch the ball-carrier rather than chasing them — landing a punch at the right moment forces a fumble more reliably than trying to outrun them.
- Pick your two players with different roles in mind: a fast player for driving to the basket and a stronger one for clearing space and stripping the ball.
- Shoot from close range. Long-distance attempts rarely fall, so drive into the paint before releasing.
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