R.B.I. Baseball

"I am really very impressed with this game."

Innovation. It's a key factor in the video game industry, and this is one of the games that I feel like has helped advance new ideas in video games. RBI Baseball is still one of my favorite NES games. Why don't I tell you why?

Graphics: 8/10

Nothing amazing. The players look fine, the goofy animations add a unique flavor to the game, and you can see the seams on the baseball at times. There is better on the NES, but there's a lot worse also. Good graphics.

Sound: 10/10

Absolutely outstanding. This game constantly has a playful, light tone to it, and the sound effects and music keeps that going. CLUNK! indicating an error or BROICK! representing the sound of a nasty beanball, the effects are hilarious. And the music is even better. Relaxing, catchy music plays with no runners on base. Let a man on, however, and it tenses up while still staying laid back. Celebration music for the home run and interlude music that revives you; I absolutely love everything about the sound in this game, and it definitely deserves a 10.

Gameplay: 10/10

Oh, yes! I mentioned before that innovation is important, and this does that. You can choose different starting pitchers and bring in pinch hitters and relief pitchers during the game. You can throw a fastball, a changeup, or an off-speed pitch. You can throw a pickoff attempt to first or try to make a break for second, going for the hit-and-run or sacrifice bunt. And you never positively know that your fielder's gonna make that easy catch; what if he commits an error? Right now, you're going, "Innovation? These are the basics of baseball." Firstly, remember this game was made 20 years ago. Secondly, in other old games, it's either frustrating or downright impossible to pull off the kind of strategic plays that RBI Baseball enables you to do with practiced ease. Gut out a marathon of baseball and finish a nine-game season, or find a friend and play a best-of-seven playoffs. Or, if you're feeling REALLY lazy, just watch a game.

And how about the specific players? Every person is different in terms of how well they can hit the ball, how fast they can run, and how much power they have. A pitcher may be able to throw 101 mph, or only 94 or 95. One guy may get tired a lot faster then the other. Your shortstop may tend to make more errors then your second baseman. This was one of the first steps towards individuality in the individuals on your team, and I appreciate it. The rare glitch does detract a little bit, but you'll probably be so pleased with everything else that you won't even care.

Replay Value: High

It's baseball. It's meant to be played more then once. And the differences between teams and players will have you playing many games with every team, for hours of fun. No, this is not a sales pitch; this is the truth!

This is a FANTASTIC game. Always remember that reviewing it by today's standards, this game would probably get a 2. But 20 years ago, this game was amazing, and you can still have a lot of fun with it today. Just be ready for a blast.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/15/06