Delphine Software originally pitched the idea of a basketball game to former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal, but O'Neal instead opted to pitch in the idea of a fighting game because he was a fan of Mortal Kombat. Delphine Software developed the video game using rotoscoping technology by filming Shaq and the stuntmen, then redesigning them to appear as characters in the game. A kung fu expert was then hired by Delphine Software to direct the action sequences to make the fighting aspects look more realistic.