EA announced this morning that customers will receive a download code for NBA Jam on Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 with every new copy of its upcoming (and far more serious) basketball game, NBA Elite 11. To some of you, it may be best to think of it as a free NBA Elite 11 with every NBA Jam. The way EA explains it: if you drop $60 on NBA Elite 11, due on October 5, the game will include a "one-time download code" for three modes of NBA Jam, including Play Now, Classic Campaign and Online.

By now, brilliant reader, you've likely caught on that there seems to be something missing here, like an individual release date or price for a standalone NBA Jam. We're following up with EA on that, but this deal already serves as an explanation for NBA Jam's appearance on several ratings boards -- sans official confirmation that the game would launch on anything else but the Nintendo Wii. (Also, would this be the wrong time to bring up that a large portion of a Wii game just got Project Ten Dollar'd?)

Update: On the PlayStation Blog, NBA EA Canada community manager Yaw Obiri-Yeboah emphasizes: "Another important note to share with all of you - the ONLY way you will be able to play NBA JAM for the PS3 is to buy NBA ELITE 11." ESPN reports the same goes for Xbox 360.