Baseball (Nintendo)

Infobox VG
title = Baseball


caption=North American NES boxart
developer = Nintendo R&D1
publisher = Nintendo
designer =
engine =
released=NES version
^JPN December 7 vgy|1983
^NA October 18 vgy|1985
FDS version
^JPN February 21 vgy|1986
Game Boy version
^JPN April 21 vgy|1989
^NA August, 1989
e-Reader version
November, vgy|2002
Virtual Console version
^NA January 1 vgy|2007
^JP December 2 vgy|2006
genre=Sports
modes= Single-player, two-player
ratings =
platforms=NES, Famicom Disk System, Game Boy, e-Reader, Virtual Console
media=192-kilobit cartridge (NES), Nintendo FDS Disk (FDS)
requirements =
input = NES controller (NES)

"Baseball" is a simple baseball video game made by Nintendo in 1983 for the Nintendo Family Computer, making it one of the first games released for the Famicom. It was later one of the NES's 18 launch titles when it was released in 1985 in the United States. As in real baseball, the object of the game is to score the most runs. Up to two players are supported. Each player can select from one of six teams. Although there is no difference between them other than uniform color, they are meant to represent the six members of the Japanese Central League. For the American version, the letters of the teams were renamed to more closely resemble several of the Major League Baseball teams:

A: Oakland AthleticsC: St. Louis CardinalsD: Los Angeles DodgersP: Philadelphia PhilliesR: Kansas City RoyalsY: New York Yankees

The title screen tune of this NES title was also used as the title screen tune of some of Nintendo's NES Sports titles such as "Pro Wrestling". A slightly altered version of it was used at the title screen of the NES title, "Volleyball", also by Nintendo. The home run tune was later used as the victory tune in both "Punch-Out!!" and "Super Punch-Out!!" arcade games.

Gameplay

Despite its simplistic graphics, "Baseball" had fairly sophisticated control of pitching and batting. Though entirely 2-D, the system of curving and varying the speed of the ball allowed for a handful of tricky pitches, and too many fastballs will wear out the pitcher's arm. For such an early game, the success with which it exhibited intuitive controls is outstanding. In Batting, for example, the player can vary where in the box the batter is standing simply by using the arrows before the pitch, and stopping the swing early attempts a bunt. Timing (and the placement of the ball) determines the path of the ball in a logical, and even consistent way.The fielding aspects of the game are less impressive, with the player only controlling the actions of the outfielders after they've stumbled along to retrieve it. The infielders have slightly better instincts, and it is a challenge to steal a base against a pitcher who can see the whole field. Overall, the skill most crucial in the game is making the right decisions, rather than mastering a complex control scheme.

Other releases

*Arcade - "vs. Baseball" was slightly different than its NES counterpart. The game featured additional graphics as well as some speech.
*PlayChoice-10 - "Baseball" was one of the games available for play in PlayChoice-10 arcade machines, released in 1986.
*Game Boy - "Baseball" was one of the first games to launch with the Game Boy, along with "Super Mario Land" and "Tetris". The background music is different compared to the ones in the NES version.
*e-Reader - "Baseball" was one of the NES games ported to the Game Boy Advance e-Reader in 2002.
*"Baseball" is also a bonus NES game in the GameCube game, "Animal Crossing".
*Wii - The NES version was released for the Wii's Virtual Console on January 1, vgy|2007.

ee also

* List of Famicom games