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World Series Baseball '98

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World Series Baseball '98
North American Sega Saturn cover art featuring Chipper Jones.
Developer(s)Sega
BlueSky Software (Genesis)
Publisher(s)Sega
Producer(s)David Perkinson
Scott Rohde
SeriesWorld Series Baseball
Platform(s)Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn
ReleaseSaturn
  • JP: March 28, 1997
  • NA: July 22, 1997[1]
Genesis
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

World Series Baseball '98 is a traditional baseball simulation video game by Sega, released in North America and South Korea for the Sega Saturn and Sega Genesis as a sequel to World Series Baseball II.

The game was first released in Japan under the title Pro Yakyū GREATEST NINE '97 (プロ野球 グレイテストナイン'97, Puro Yakyū Gureitesuto Nain '97) which used the Nippon Professional Baseball license.

Gameplay

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Gameplay screenshot from the Sega Saturn version.

Development and release

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Reception

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The Saturn version of World Series Baseball '98 received mostly positive reviews. The series' transition to polygonal graphics was generally approved of, particularly since the game still runs as fast as its predecessors,[4][10] though multiple reviewers criticized that the bats are grossly out-of-proportion, saying they look like two-by-four lumber planks.[4][10] Most also commented on the inability to trade players.[9][10] However, the batting/pitching quadrant system was highly praised.[9][10] Next Generation, in particular, argued that in conjunction with the deep fielding controls and management strategies, the quadrant system makes World Series Baseball '98 a genre-redefining game comparable to the likes of Doom and NFL GameDay 97. The reviewer stated, "Clearly, this is the new standard for baseball games, and there are no current games that even come close. Saturn may not have much, but it's got baseball."[9] Other critics were more moderate, though still positive. GamePro concluded that the fast, fun nature of the game overrides its issues with graphics and sounds, and compared it favorably to contemporary baseball games on the Saturn such as Grand Slam.[b][10] Kraig Kujawa and Dean Hager both said that it is inferior to MLB '98, but still very good, and Hager added, "I'll say for sure it's the best baseball game for the Saturn."[4]

The Genesis version was released at the end of the console's lifespan and was largely ignored by the press. A brief review in GamePro criticized that the only improvements over World Series Baseball '96 are updated rosters and interleague play, making it only worth buying for those who do not yet have a baseball game for the Genesis.[c][11]

During the inaugural Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated the Saturn version for "Console Sports Game of the Year",[12] which was ultimately awarded to International Superstar Soccer 64.[13]

Notes

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  1. ^ In GameFan's viewpoint of the Saturn version, one critic gave it 77, and the other 90.
  2. ^ GamePro gave the Saturn version 4.0/5 for graphics, 4.0/5 for sound, 4.0/5 for control, and 4.5/5 for fun factor.
  3. ^ GamePro gave the Genesis version 3.5/5 for graphics, 3.0/5 for sound, 3.0/5 for control, and 3.5/5 for fun factor.

References

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  1. ^ a b "PLAY BALL! SEGA SPORTS PUTS OTHER BASEBALL GAMES ON THE BENCH WITH RELEASE OF WORLD SERIES BASEBALL '98 [month mislabeled as "June"]". Sega Central. Sega of America. July 22, 1997. Archived from the original on February 2, 1998. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  2. ^ Marriott, Scott Alan. "World Series Baseball 98 (Genesis) - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 17, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  3. ^ Brumley, Doug (November 7, 1997). "World Series Baseball '98 (Saturn)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 19, 2000. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d Kujawa, Kraig; Hager, Dean (September 1997). "Team EGM Sports: World Series Baseball '98". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 98. Ziff Davis. p. 129.
  5. ^ "プロ野球 グレイテストナイン'97 [セガサターン]". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  6. ^ "World Series Baseball '98 (Saturn)". Game Informer. No. 53. FuncoLand. September 1997.
  7. ^ Joe Kidd; Jacques Strap (September 1997). "World Series Baseball '98 (Saturn)" (PDF). GameFan. Vol. 5, no. 9. Metropolis Media. p. 98. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  8. ^ Tennenbaum, Jon (September 1997). "World Series Baseball '98 Review (Saturn)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on June 13, 1998. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c d "Out of the Park". Next Generation. No. 34. Imagine Media. October 1997. p. 172. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c d e The Rookie (September 1997). "Sega Swings into 3D with Its Best World Series Title". GamePro. No. 108. IDG. p. 106.
  11. ^ Air Hendrix (October 1997). "World Series Baseball '98". GamePro. No. 109. IDG. p. 156.
  12. ^ "The Award - Updates". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on June 15, 1998. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  13. ^ "The Award - Winners". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on June 15, 1998. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
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