Top Ten Baseball Video Games
With COVID-19 still in full swing and no possibility of baseball for at least another month, there is little choice but to stay at home and have a virtual experience. Over the years, there have been many baseball video games, some much better than others. Whether you want to be your own GM, create a player in your own image, or even play as a robot, there is a choice for you. Get ready to pull your old consoles out of the closet and dust them off. Here is a list of the top ten baseball video games.
10. Triple Play Baseball
A sort of stepping stone to the MVP series, Triple Play Baseball was nothing short of innovative. For the time, the graphics were excellent, and the gameplay, albeit a bit awkward, was a lot of fun. The ”Create A Player” and Big League Challenge Mode are huge leaps in baseball gaming. Choose the living room stadium and get to tearing up furniture with hard-hit homers
9. All-Star Baseball 99
Available for the N64 and Game Boy, All-Star Baseball 99 allowed for up to four players and featured the best graphics of the day. Realistic stadium textures and digital photos of players make this game a true MLB experience on an old generation console. Pick your favorites for the Home Run Derby and challenge your friends in a day game or night game setting.
8. MLB SlugFest
Want to start a fight on the baseball diamond? MLB SlugFest gives you that very option. For a more aggressive and arcade-style feel, look no further than this game for the PS2, Game Cube, or Xbox. Flaming bats and tackle slides make this a one-of-a-kind gaming experience.
7. Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball
With the late 90s looking Steroid Era players, Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball is a must-have for any SNES owner. It featured real teams and real stadiums, although no real players aside from Griffey Jr. himself. But the hilariously unique name stand-ins are truly memorable. An unforgettable soundtrack adds to the nostalgia of this title.
6. Base Wars
Like baseball video games? Like robots? Put the two together, and you’ve got this NES and Game Boy classic. Close play at first? No instant replay needed, simply fight it out to see if the runner deserves the base or not. Featuring 14 teams, including two that can use either Laser Guns or Laser Swords, this is a truly different baseball experience.
5. Backyard Baseball
Backyard Baseball was initially intended as a game for a younger audience that didn’t necessarily have any ties to actual baseball. However, what ended up happening was the creation of one of the most nostalgic and popular baseball video games ever. Who can forget Pablo Sanchez? This game is also one of the very few to feature female players. With all of the fun power-ups and choosing of teams old-school style, Backyard Baseball is gaming fun for all ages.
4. RBI Baseball
RBI Baseball for the NES is perhaps the first baseball gaming experience that many people had. This was also the first title to have a deal with the MLBPA. So, it featured eight actual, by city at least, teams with real player names and two All-Star teams. It’s a lot of fun attempting to bunt for an inside-the-park home run or trying to get your starting pitcher through the fourth inning without him tiring out. Subsequent games have passed RBI Baseball in both experience and realism, but no one who has played this game will ever forget it.
3. Baseball Stars
The precursor to the modern baseball video games of today, Baseball Stars has many of the features that come standard to any modern game. It was the first game to introduce a save system so your progress wouldn’t be lost, and you were also able to ”level up” individual players. Additionally, it allowed for custom players and teams, which made it a truly immersive experience. Win games, get awarded cash, upgrade players. This game is considered by many to be the best ever on the NES system.
2. MLB The Show 20
For years, MLB The Show has been at the forefront for MLB video games. MLB The Show 20 is no different. Featuring full minor league rosters and just about any mode one can think of, there’s very little to find wrong with this game. Fleece other teams with trades or start your own career from Double-A all the way up to the majors — you can literally do it all. With the ability to play in old-time stadiums or as all-time legends, MLB The Show 20 will be a very difficult game to surpass, until next year that is.
1. MVP Baseball 2005
Despite being released nearly 15 years ago, MVP Baseball 2005 is still considered a modern-day classic. With arguably the most extensive Dynasty Mode ever, allowing you to run your team for up to 120 years, and an Owner Mode that gives you control over everything from concession prices to staff hires, MVP Baseball 2005 is truly an immersive experience. It’s so popular that there are still modding communities dedicated to updating the rosters to include modern players. This game was a must-have for any PS2, Game Cube, and Xbox owner. To this day, it’s still a game that stands the test of time.
Alternates
Pete Rose Baseball
Despite being released very late in the life of the Atari, Pete Rose Baseball still possessed many features other games did not. The behind-the-pitcher views and multiple fielding views made this game innovative for its time.
Sports Talk Baseball
The first baseball video game to have actual running commentary. Having an MLPA license, there were actual players and stats, but, unfortunately, no real teams. Overall, a fun and solid game based on the fact that it was a more realistic experience for the time.
MLBPA Baseball
One of the first full roster licensed games, MLBPA Baseball gave access to 500 actual players. Despite having real player names and stats, there were no real teams. But, with scoreboard animations and even the Atlanta Braves Tomahawk Chop theme song, there was a lot to enjoy from this title.
Conclusion
There it is, the Top Ten Baseball Video Games. With so many innovations in video gaming bound to happen, there will no doubt be bigger and better baseball experiences in the years to come. With the ability to now play online with your favorite teams against friends and other gamers, there’s no limit as to what our video gaming experiences will become. But, the humble beginnings of older baseball video game titles will never be forgotten.
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