Baseball (1983 video game)
Baseball | |
---|---|
Release |
|
Arcade system | Nintendo VS. System |
Baseball
Gameplay
As in real baseball, the object of the game is to score the most runs. The game supports one player versus a computer opponent, or two players. Each player can select from one of six teams.
Though lacking a license of official team names,[8] their initials in the game correspond to the Japanese Central League or the American Major League Baseball teams in their respective regions. The only gameplay difference between teams is the uniform colors.[9]
Development and release
At the 1985 launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System in the Manhattan initial test market, the game was featured prominently among 17 total games. It was demonstrated on a large projector screen, by real Major League Baseball athletes who played the video game and signed autographs for fans. Because the video game industry was so young and had crashed in America in 1983, and because some other NES launch games like Clu Clu Land have abstract fantasy themes that are not instantly recognizable by a new audience, the presence of a traditional American pastime was said to be an instantly relatable aid to the system's introduction.[8]
It was ported to the arcade VS. System as VS. Baseball in 1984, competing with Sega's popular Champion Baseball (1983).[10]: 132–5
Ports
Name | Date | Platform | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
VS. Baseball | 1984 | Arcade | VS. Series, with additional graphics and speech |
Baseball | 1986 | PlayChoice-10
|
Arcade |
Baseball | 1989 | Game Boy | |
Baseball | 2002 | e-Reader | Barcoded cards, readable with e-Reader and Game Boy Advance. |
Baseball | 2002 | GameCube | Baseball is a bonus NES game in the GameCube game Animal Crossing. |
Baseball | 2007 | Wii | Virtual Console |
Baseball | 2011 | 3DS | Virtual Console (Game Boy version) |
Baseball | 2013 | Wii U | Virtual Console |
Baseball | 2018 | Nintendo Switch | online multiplayer .
|
VS. Baseball | 2020 | Nintendo Switch | Part of the Arcade Archives series. Includes various new options. |
Reception
In Japan, 2.35 million copies of the original Famicom version of Baseball were sold.[11] Worldwide, 3.2 million copies were sold for Famicom and NES.[12]
Game Machine magazine named VS. Baseball as Japan's most successful
In 2007, IGN gave Baseball a 5.5 out of 10, noting its depth of pitching, its two-player support, "its still-intact sense of fun", and its important place in Nintendo's history. The review said that the 1985 test market launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System had "heavily relied upon" Baseball, due to the globally recognizable status of the sport. The review summarized that "the NES came out a winner—thanks, in part, to Baseball".[8]
In 2006, GameSpot gave Baseball a 4.2 out of 10, stating that while it was easy to play, the "bare-bones" replica of the sport "hasn't withstood the test of time".[9]
In 2020, historian Ken Horowitz said VS. Baseball (1984) lacks certain features of the competing Sega's Champion Baseball (1983), but has superior
Baseball was a significant source of inspiration for Namco's Pro Baseball: Family Stadium (1986) for Famicom, which became the R.B.I. Baseball series.[20]
Notes
References
- ^ ISBN 978-4990251215.
- ^ ISSN 0261-3697.
- ^ White, Dave (July 1989). "Electronic Gaming Monthly". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 3. p. 68.
- ^ a b Kohler, Chris. "Miyamoto Spills Donkey Kong's Darkest Secrets, 35 Years Later". Wired. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
- ^ Cornelius, Dylan (April 21, 2020). "Baseball (Famicom, 1983)". Retro Gaming Archive. Retrieved March 7, 2021.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Matt (March 28, 2020). "All 30 Black Box Nes Games Guide (Including Pricing)". MCMROSE. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ "NES Game List (Europe) | NinDB". nindb.net. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Thomas, Lucas M. (January 16, 2007). "Baseball VC Review". IGN. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ a b Thomas, Aaron (January 4, 2007). "Baseball Review". GameSpot. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4766-8420-8.
- ^ "Japan Platinum Game Chart". The Magic Box. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
- ISBN 978-1908843654.
- ^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 237. Amusement Press, Inc. June 1, 1984. p. 29.
- ^ "Best Hit Games 25" (PDF). Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 239. Amusement Press, Inc. July 1, 1984. p. 25.
- ^ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay. September 1984.
- ^ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay. October 1984. p. 4.
- ^ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay. November 1984.
- ^ "National Play Meter". Play Meter. Vol. 10, no. 21. November 15, 1984. pp. 28–9.
- ISBN 978-1-4766-8420-8.
- ISBN 978-0992926007.
External links
- Baseball at NinDB