Al Michaels Announces HardBall III

• Release Date: 1993
• Genre: Sports
• Style: Baseball
• Similar Games: HardBall! (Sega Genesis), HardBall! (Commodore 64/128), La Russa Baseball 95 (Sega Genesis), HardBall '94 (Sega Genesis), Tony La Russa Baseball (Sega Genesis), HardBall! (Atari ST)

Game Description

HardBall III features award-winning sportscaster Al Michaels calling the play-by-play as you guide your team to the championship. While the game does not offer either a Major League Baseball or MLBPA license for real teams and players, a comprehensive team and player editor will allow you to customize details to your liking.

Battery backup will save both team and individual statistics, season in progress, two created teams and any changes you make using the editors. Realistic ballparks have also been included, 26 in all, to make you feel like you're playing in the big leagues. Other notable features are a manage-only mode, Home Run Derby, Practice Cage and Instant Replay. You can even save these replays to a Highlight Reel for later viewing!

Roots & Influences

In 1985, HardBall was introduced to the home computer market and would gain widespread appeal for its stunning graphics and playability. While it didn't have real players and had only two fictional teams (the All-Stars and Champs), it was still considered one of the best baseball games of its time. Subsequent releases have made the HardBall franchise one of the most popular baseball simulations on the personal computer market. Given this success, it was only natural for the series to make the transition to the consoles.

Al Michaels Announces HardBall III was published before Accolade became a licensee of Sega Enterprises, Ltd., so it was released in a cardboard box rather than the plastic casing found on other Genesis games.

Review: Overall

Al Michaels Announces Hardball III is a solid attempt at bringing a baseball simulation to the Genesis that amazes with the number of features it offers. While the game lacks real teams and players, you're free to change names, abilities, player pictures, and even design your own team logos. Once you select your team, you can play an exhibition game or a season with statistics tracked for all players in the league. A nice feature is that you are free to choose from a view behind the batter, behind the pitcher, or alternate sides. Every time a batter steps up to the plate you'll see a player card with a picture of his face, his statistics and rated abilities in speed and arm strength. The card will then flip into a menu where you can select from the following swings: bunt, contact, power, or strategy. If a runner is on first, then selecting strategy will allow you to choose hit-and-run or stealing.

Pitching is done in the same manner: A card is shown with the pitcher's face as well as ratings in accuracy, speed, and stamina. As the card changes into a menu, you can select from four available pitches which vary from pitcher to pitcher. There is also a strategy option allowing you to intentionally walk a batter, shift the infield, or adjust the outfield. Instant replay is available on both the pitcher and batter menus so you can gloat over that inning-ending strikeout or grand slam. Another nice feature is that there are mini-cinemas for close plays at the bases, which adds a dramatic flair to the on-screen action. For example, if your throw reaches a base at the same time as the runner, a window will zoom in on the bag to see whether or not he made it in time.

The game needs some work on the fundamentals, however, like any aspiring big-leaguer. First, the lack of either a MLB or MLBPA license hurts this game, since all of the team logos are very different from their real-life counterparts, and player names are all fictitious. Although the developers have created one of the most extensive player and team editors in a console sports game, entering all of the changes will take a considerable amount of time. Face portraits are also limited, so it's hard to find a close match for many real players. Second, the game could use a few improvements in its presentation. The graphics are very colorful but a tad on the blurry side, so everything looks a bit out of focus, and the batter and pitcher animation could benefit from a few more frames to make it smoother. I would also like to see the field scroll instead of watching the ball travel on a static screen. Commentary needs work, too, since poor Al sounds like he's gargling instead of calling the game. Otherwise, the depth and options will keep sim fans occupied well past the season.

Review: Enjoyment

While the editor is great, prepare to spend a lifetime trying to add all the real players and teams. A worthy attempt at bringing realism to the console market.

Review: Graphics

Graphics could be better and are on the blurry side. Sparse animation needs improvement.

Review: Sound

Great idea to include the great Al Michaels on play-by-play. Unfortunately, it is decidedly choppy and distracting. Sound effects are very basic.

Review: Replay Value

Fans of fast-paced arcade games will not want to play this game, but simulation fans will appreciate the slower pacing and strategy.

Review: Documentation

The documentation covers everything you need to know to play the game.

Production Credits