Review Date: February 15, 2021
Release Date: October 18, 1985
Platform: NES
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Sports
Anecdotes: (Note: the order of the games is done roughly by North American release date. The fact that “spring**” training starts this week is a coincidence.) It’s barely above zero outside with a Winter Storm Warning for a foot of snow here, but never mind any of that. It’s time to get out the bats, bases, balls, and gloves. As kids, my two brothers and I really only played this on rainy days, mainly because we’d be out actually playing baseball on any surface imaginable. Possible fields included three back yards, two front yards, the street, two areas on the school blacktop, and an actual baseball field behind the school. A baseball game could break out anywhere. We had eight boys old enough to play; girls were welcome but the only girl on the block was a baby. At least on screen, Dad could join us; I played my dad and he easily won, despite repeatedly complaining that the computer wanted me to win.
**-February and the first 20 days or so of March are not spring. The only part of “spring” training that is actually in spring is the final week.
Description: It’s baseball, simplified down to an easily digestible form. You control the pitcher, batter, base runners, and throws from the fielders.
Positives: They did a nice job of simplifying the game. Fielders are automatic, so no need to guess where the ball is to catch a fly ball. All you do is choose where to throw. Pitching is just speed control and a little curving. Base running is simple. Hitting is mostly just hitting a button. I do like how the umpires only appear to make a call, then quickly disappear, at least on the infield screen. The wide shot has the umpires on there at all times. The game is also very likely not to devolve into a home run derby.
As shown below, the developers used a technique to simulate scaling.
Negatives: Way too often have I seen a shortstop or second baseman move out of the way of a ground ball. The dugout areas and walls of foul territory are not ever shown. The pitcher also takes too long to get out of “taking signs” stance when I just want to throw a pitch.
Grade: B