World Series Baseball '98

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.

World Series Baseball '98
North American Sega Saturn cover art
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: 28 March 1997
  • NA: 16 July 1997
  • KOR: 1997
Genesis
Genre(s)Sports
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

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

Gameplay
Gameplay screenshot from the Sega Saturn version.

World Series Baseball '98 is a baseball game.

Development and release

Reception
Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
EGM8/10 (SAT)[1]
Next Generation (SAT)[2]

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,[1][3] though multiple reviewers criticized that the bats are grossly out-of-proportion, saying they look like two-by-four lumber planks.[1][3] Most also commented on the inability to trade players.[2][3] However, the batting/pitching quadrant system was highly praised.[2][3] 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."[2] 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.[3] 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."[1]

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.[4]

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References
  1. "Team EGM Sports: World Series Baseball '98". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 98. Ziff Davis. September 1997. p. 129.
  2. "Finals". Next Generation. No. 34. Imagine Media. October 1997. p. 172.
  3. The Rookie (September 1997). "Sega Swings into 3D with its Best World Series Title". GamePro. No. 108. IDG. p. 106.
  4. Air Hendrix (October 1997). "World Series Baseball '98". GamePro. No. 109. IDG. p. 156.
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