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| Bottom of the 9th | |
|---|---|
 North American Nintendo 64 cover art | |
| Developer | Konami Computer Entertainment Chicago |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Artist | Greg Orduyan |
| Platforms | PlayStation,Sega Saturn,Nintendo 64 |
| Release | PlayStationSaturn
|
| Genre | Sports |
| Modes | Single player,multiplayer |
Bottom of the 9th is abaseball video game released byKonami for thePlayStation in 1996. Later the same year it was ported to theSega Saturn and in 1999 to theNintendo 64. The sequelsBottom of the 9th '97 andBottom of the 9th '99 were released for the PlayStation. The game is part of Konami'sXXL Sports brand.[1]
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One of the earliest inKonami's franchise, this version features 300 actual MLB players, but does not feature the MLB licensed teams. Players can choose to either play against a friend in Exhibition, Season or Playoffs. The gameplay is geared for more of a simulation style of play, with the players stats determining how well they hit, pitch and field.
Along with the standard modes for a baseball game, this one also features the ability to customize teams and choose any player to create a "Dream Team". It also has a variety of different camera angles, a "Streak Bar" that shows a batter's hitting ability, and a "Pitching Bar" that shows whether a pitcher is fatigued. It is notable for being the first baseball game released in North America to utilize a batting cursor.
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 6.75/10 (N64)[a] 5.5/10 (PS1)[3] |
| Next Generation |   (PS1)[4] |
Bottom of the 9th received mixed reviews. Critics commented that the screen is too cluttered with info,[4][5] the graphics in general are below average,[4][5] and the controls (particularly the unusual batting system) are difficult to get a handle on.[3][4][5] However, critics forNext Generation andGamePro felt the controls and steep challenge of the game ultimately make it more realistic, and that mastering the unusual controls ultimately pays off with a deeper gaming experience, withGamePro concluding that "Serious baseball fiends will enjoy this ballpark's authentic, challenging gameplay".[4][5] The two sports reviewers ofElectronic Gaming Monthly instead argued that the steep learning curve makesBottom of the 9th less worthwhile than more immediately accessible games.[3]
GamePro described the Saturn version as "an impressively exact port ... with both the flaws (quirky graphics and tricky controls) and high points (excellent gameplay) of the original." They noted that despite the fact that the 1996 baseball season had started, the Saturn version had not updated the rosters.[6]