MLB Pennant Race
| MLB Pennant Race | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Sony Interactive Studios America |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Computer Entertainment |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation |
| Release | September 30, 1996 |
| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
MLB Pennant Race is a baseball simulator released for the PlayStation on September 30, 1996 by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game takes place during the 1996 Major League Baseball season. Rosters and statistics are accurate as of the 1995 Major League Baseball season.
Reception
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 8.25/10[1] |
| GameSpot | 7/10[2] |
| IGN | 5/10[3] |
| Next Generation |   [4] |
MLB Pennant Race experienced exceptionally long delays, and some critics felt that it greatly suffered as a result, being a game with 1995 stats released when the 1996 MLB season was over.[1][3][4] Other common criticisms were the slowness of the games[2][4] and scorekeeper bugs such as counting swung-on strikes as balls.[2][5] However, reviewers complimented the large selection of options and modes[1][2][4][5] and the easy, accurate batting interface and controls.[1][2][4][5] Opinions varied concerning the graphics; Hugh Sterbakov of GameSpot said they were excellent,[2] a reviewer for Next Generation said they fell short of the competition,[4] and Air Hendrix of GamePro said he personally felt they were not as good as polygonal graphics, but that they were done well for what they were and that those who like 2D graphics would enjoy them.[5] Overall opinions of the game also varied. Todd Mowatt of Electronic Gaming Monthly said it was "a lot of fun to play", while his co-reviewer Joe Rybicki found it lacking and said gamers should rent it first.[1] The reviewer for Next Generation concluded that its late release and inferior gameplay and graphics compared to the competition made it not worth getting.[4] IGN criticized the game as being dated, specifically interface elements such as the batting cursor.[3] Sterbakov said it was a mixed bag, but that some players would find its good points appealing and be able to overlook its negative points.[2] Air Hendrix said it was an overall solid game, but beaten out by Triple Play '97.[5]
See also
- ESPN Baseball Tonight, Sony's predecessor for 16-bit consoles
- 989 Sports Major League Baseball series, Sony's successor for PlayStation
References
- ^ a b c d e "Team EGM Box Scores: MLB Pennant Race". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 89. Ziff Davis. December 1996. p. 330.
- ^ a b c d e f g Sterbakov, Hugh (December 1, 1996). "MLB Penant Race Review". GameSpot. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
- ^ a b c "MLB Pennant Race". IGN. December 17, 1996. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g "MLB Pennant Race". Next Generation. No. 25. Imagine Media. January 1997. p. 170.
- ^ a b c d e "MLB Pennant Race Slides into Second". GamePro. No. 100. IDG. January 1997. p. 134.