Little League Baseball

1990
Developer: SNK
Publisher: SNK

As someone who grew up with the NES, I owned a few games and I rented ten times as many.  Even with rentals, playing games at friends' houses, playing Toys R Us kiosks, and all other avenues, I probably played maybe a tenth of the NES catalog by 1995.  Just like everyone else, I had no idea there were so many games.  

It wasn't until the early days of the internet and this mysterious word started going around called "emulation."  You mean I could download almost EVERY game and play them? FOR FREE?!?1? It sounded too good to be true to a poor middle schooler.  In those days you could find a good amount of roms, but you really needed to hunt.  I didn't care.  I wanted to play everything I could get my hands on.

So I explored NES games I had never seen or heard of before.... Guerrilla War, Elevator Action, Yoshi Cookie, Dragon Spirit... These were great games (some were better than others) that I never knew existed. It was like being 8 and having new games released for my loved console again.  Of all my "new" games, though, one stood out - Little League Baseball.

Little League Baseball stands out among the dozens of baseball games on the NES.  With greats like RBI Baseball and Baseball Stars, it has some tough competition.  What makes this game stand out, are the little things.

Timing - Anyone who has played early baseball video games knows the timing is usually all messed up.  A line drive down the line should get you a double, but the base runners are too slow or the outfielder has too strong an arm.  Some baseball games make it impossible to turn a double play, too.  These issues are gone in Little League Baseball.  Diving for a pop up, jumping for a line drive... they all feel right.

A double down the line. Just perfect.

True Player Ability Levels - Each player in LLB has an ability ranking from 1 to 5 and they truly effect the outcome of the game.  Level 5 hitters absolutely mash and level 5 pitchers are dominate.  On the other side, level 1 hitters can barely make it out of the infield and level 1 pitchers got rocked often.  I also really like that these ability levels are connected to the player's position.  For example, a level 5 first baseman will most likely be a level 1 pitcher, but a level 5 third baseman may be a level 2 or 3 pitcher.  It all just makes sense.

Racially stereotypical names just makes this game better.

Song doesn't have a chance here.

Presentation - Little League Baseball is an SNK game, so it controls a lot like Baseball Stars. The look of the players on the field is different, though.  They look more cartoon-y.  I like it better.  In close situations, you see extra animations that really make this game shine.  When your pitcher's in a tough spot, you'll see him turn around and shout at the fielders.  You can imagine he's yelling to them, "Come on, guys! Get your shit together!"  When batters are in close situations, they react depending on their ability level.  Level 1 and 2 hitters start shaking at the knees and sweating, while level 4 and 5 hitters waggle their bats with confidence.  It's really amazing.

How those homerun bewbs passed the 

Nintendo of America inspection, I'll never know.

Tournament Play - Let's be honest. Even the biggest of baseball video game fans are not going to play full seasons on NES games.  It's just not realistic.  This game has Tournament Play which simulates the Little League World Series tournament with ceremonies and all.  You even hear a snippet of the winning team's national anthem at the end of the tournament.

As for music and graphics, this game stands out among other baseball games too.  Little League Baseball is a game that I can't recommend enough for fans of baseball video games.  It's a great sports game to play with a friend and a challenging game to play against the computer.  I have played almost every NES baseball game and this is easily my favorite one.  My friends and I still play it.

                                                           Controls:    5

                                                          Graphics:    4

                                                              Music:    3

                                                                 Fun:     5

                                                       ________________

                                                              Total: 17/20