- Release Date: 1996
- Genre: Sports
- Style: Baseball
- Similar Games: Kick It (Arcade)
Game Description
It's time to step into the batter's box and swing for the fences -- literally. With the help of motion sensor technology, Home Run Derby allows you to grab a real bat and step into a batting cage as you attempt to crank the ball out of the park.After you have stepped up to the plate, it's up to you to watch the video screen ahead, which simulates a batter's eye view of a baseball field. Upon hearing a voice telling you to expect a pitch, the pitching machine on the screen spits out a computer-generated baseball. The 3D graphics of the game allow you to judge the arrival of the pitch and -- no matter how strong or talented you may be -- crank it out of the park. Motion sensors below the screen will instantly judge what direction the ball you hit travels and, more importantly, what distance.
The number of chances you get to hit as many four-baggers as possible depends on the machine with which you play, but your objective anywhere is to climb the ranks from rookie league all the way to the majors with your powerful swing.
~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Roots & Influences
This game is a simulation of real batting cages which have pitching machines. Major league baseball players also use such cages with a live pitcher during batting practice before games, and every year during the festivities surrounding the All Star Game there is a home run hitting contest. All of these influenced this game.~ Brad Cook, All Game Guide
Review: Overall
To initially look at Home Run Derby is to see a very cool game. With a real, no-strings-attached bat, any person of any age can realize his or her fantasy of cranking the ball out of a huge stadium inside the game's actual batting cage. To actually play Home Run Derby, however, one starts to realize what a lousy game it truly is.When I first stepped into the batter's box after watching several kids before me, I really thought I'd like what I was about to experience. It didn't take long, though, for me to see that pumping more tokens into the game would just be a waste of money.
The game is actually less realistic when you play it than when you watch from outside. Its biggest fault is the fact that you swing almost blindly, timing a ball that -- no matter what 3D graphics may suggest -- is always five feet away from you. Unlike in the real thing, you'll never see the ball hit the bat.
Further -- and this is the real travesty -- there is absolutely no sensation associated with contact. When you swing through a pitch, the only indication that you've actually hit the ball is what you see on the screen and the audible crack of the bat. I often tell people that one of the greatest feelings in the world is when a fastball hits the sweet part of your bat and you know it's headed a long way. In Home Run Derby, the ball will often head a long way, but the pure feeling from hammering it won't tell you that.
In addition to these faults, the game can be quite frustrating -- at least from a personal standpoint. In a 12-pitch game (the number of pitches available varies by machine), I'd see right-handed 10-year-olds hit two to four homers a game with their left hand on top as they swung. Then a healthy 22-year-old with a proper swing such as myself steps in and can't hit it out of the infield. Something's wrong here.
If the game does have anything going for it, the sheer innovation of Home Run Derby is laudable. The combination of motion sensors and attempted realism make the game quite impressive at first. However, first impressions can often be deceitful. Take my advice. Avoid this dud. Do the real thing.
~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Enjoyment
I'd prefer a real batting cage any day.~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Graphics
Nothing impressive here. The graphics are just good enough for you to judge when to swing.~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Sound
An announcer lets you know when the pitch is coming and the crack of the bat sounds pretty sweet (if only you could feel it).~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Replay Value
Your only incentive to keep playing is to attain the rank of Major Leaguer. It all depends on your swing.~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Documentation
N/A~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
