Bottom of the 9th
| Bottom of the 9th | |
|---|---|
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North American Nintendo 64 cover art | |
| Developer(s) | Konami |
| Publisher(s) | Konami |
| Designer(s) | Greg Orduyan (graphics artist) |
| Platform(s) | Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Nintendo 64 |
| Release date(s) |
PlayStation
Saturn
Nintendo 64
|
| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
Bottom of the 9th is a baseball game by Konami for the PlayStation, which was later ported to the Sega Saturn and the Nintendo 64. It is a heavily updated version of Konami's 1989 arcade game Bottom of the Ninth .
Gameplay
One of the earliest in Konami's franchise, this version features 300 actual MLB players, but does not feature the MLB licensed teams. Players can choose to either play against a friend in Exhibition, Season or Playoffs. The gameplay is geared for more of a simulation style of play with the players stats determining on how well they hit, pitch and field.
Along with the standard modes for a baseball game, this one also features the ability to customize teams and choose any player to create a "Dream Team". It also has a variety of different camera angles, a "Streak Bar" that shows a batter's hitting ability, and a "Pitching Bar" that shows whether a pitcher is fatigued.
Reception
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Bottom of the 9th received mixed reviews. Critics commented that the screen is too cluttered with info,[2][3] the graphics in general are below average,[2][3] and the controls (particularly the unusual batting system) are difficult to get a handle on.[1][2][3] However, critics for Next Generation and GamePro felt the controls and steep challenge of the game ultimately make it more realistic, and that mastering the unusual controls ultimately pays off with a deeper gaming experience, with Air Hendrix of GamePro concluding that "Serious baseball fiends will enjoy this ballpark's authentic, challenging gameplay".[2][3] The two sports reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly instead argued that the steep learning curve makes Bottom of the 9th less worthwhile than more immediately accessible games.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 "Bottom of the 9th". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (83): 120. June 1996.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Off the Wall". Next Generation (Imagine Media) (19): 74. July 1996.
- 1 2 3 4 "Bottom of the 9th". GamePro (IDG) (92): 77. May 1996.