|
|
|
||||||||
PlayStation
ProReview
Bottom of the 9th 99
By Konami
| Graphics | Sound | Control | Fun Factor |
|
|
|
|
2 Players
Challenge: Adjustable
Replay Value: Med
By Boba Fatt
The competition between Sony's MLB 99 and EA Sports' Triple Play 99 for the PlayStation baseball pennant has brought the game to a whole new level. Unfortunately, however, Konami's still in the minor leagues with their Bottom of the Ninth ‘99, a spectacularly average game with an empty bullpen— Bot9 doesn't even have the MLB license, so the actual team logos and names aren't used .
All of Bot9's features are in a slump. The players are built with far too few textures polygons and they don't have the grand across-the-body throws or takeout slide- avoiding jumps as seen in TP or MLB. Meanwhile, the stadiums rarely reflect the color or style of their actual counterparts— and let's not forget the baseball itself, which inexplicably increases size as it streaks away from the camera.
Although Bot9's pitching and batting interface is intuitive, the controls
suffer because everything requires memorization, as opposed to the menu-based
matchup screens in TP and MLB. Finally, perhaps TP's two-man interaction
and MLB's use of the legendary Vin Scully were spoilers, but Bot9's stoic
and repetitive commentary is just plain bland. This year, Konami
struck out looking.
PROTIP: Use your cutoff man when throwing from the outfield— although there's an extra throw involved, it gets the ball back quicker.
PROTIP: Because the collision detection is poor, throw to the bases instead of trying to tag runners or bags. This is the best way to ensure the out.
Copyright © 1998 Infotainment World