World Series Baseball Starring Deion Sanders

From Sega Retro

n/a

WSBSDS Title.png

World Series Baseball Starring Deion Sanders
System(s): Sega 32X
Publisher: Sega of America
Developer:
Brand: Sega Sports
Licensor: Major League Baseball Properties, Major League Baseball Players Association
Genre: Sports (baseball)

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega 32X
US
$59.9959.99[1] 84605
ESRB: Kids to Adults

World Series Baseball Starring Deion Sanders is an entry in the World Series Baseball series, and was released exclusively on the Sega 32X in 1996. It was not released outside of North America.

It is a version of World Series Baseball '95 with improved graphics (with greater color depth) and a zooming effect on outfielders catching balls. It features an endorsement by Deion Sanders, who had also previously endorsed Prime Time NFL Football Starring Deion Sanders. Sanders was playing both professional football for the NFL and professional baseball for the MLB at the time and remains the only athlete to have played in both the Super Bowl and World Series. Though his endorsement appears on the packaging and marketing materials, it does not appear anywhere in the game itself.

Gameplay

The game plays identically to World Series Baseball '95 for the Sega Mega Drive. It features all 28 teams and 700 players from the 1995 MLB season, along with all 28 ballparks. The game additionally features several special teams: the American League Stars, National League Stars, and MLB Stars (consisting of the best players from each league or from both leagues) and the American League Legends, National League Legends, and MLB Legends (all-star teams including historical players such as Ty Cobb).

World Series Baseball 32X, Scoreboard.png

World Series Baseball 32X, Offense, Lineup.png

World Series Baseball 32X, Defense, Bullpen.png

  • World Series Baseball 32X, Scoreboard.png

  • World Series Baseball 32X, Offense, Lineup.png

  • World Series Baseball 32X, Defense, Bullpen.png

Scoreboard
The scoreboard is shown at the beginning of the game and after each play (and can be shown by calling a time-out with  START ). In addition to the score, the scoreboard has an inset that can be changed with Left and Right, which cycles between the hitting tendencies of the current batter (shown on a field divided into thirds and changing depending on the handedness of the pitcher), statistics for the pitcher (innings pitched, strikes, and base balls and the pitcher's stamina), and the players on base.

The scoreboard has a menu that can be navigated with Up and Down, which allows players to watch an instant replay, set the batting line-up, change the defensive position of each player, and choose the starting and relief pitchers. Starting pitchers have more stamina than relief pitchers, but players can have up to two relievers warm up to their maximum stamina in the bullpen. Pitchers that are replaced are removed for the remainder of the game.

The scoreboard also provides options including selecting the difficulty for pitching and batting separately (Rookie, Veteran, or All-Star), setting the length of the game (3, 6, or 9 innings) before the first pitch, and toggling auto-fielding.

World Series Baseball 32X, Defense, Pitching.png

World Series Baseball 32X, Defense, Fielding.png

World Series Baseball 32X, Defense, Strategy.png

  • World Series Baseball 32X, Defense, Pitching.png

  • World Series Baseball 32X, Defense, Fielding.png

  • World Series Baseball 32X, Defense, Strategy.png

Defense
On each pitch, the player positions the pitch using the D-Pad. The strike zone appears in brackets in the center of the screen. The type of pitch is chosen from a menu with A, B, or C. Each pitcher has a repertoire of three pitches from eight different possible pitches:
  • Fastball: A straight pitch that is the fastest in the pitcher's arsenal. It is intended to get the batter to swing late and miss, but there is a risk of giving the other team a long hit if the batter correctly times it.
  • Splitter: A high-speed pitch that drops as it reaches home plate. It is intended to get the batter to swing too high and miss, as its drop-off is sharper and more sudden than a sinker.
  • Slider: A curved pitch that breaks away from the pitcher's throwing arm. It breaks more sharply than a curveball, so it resembles an ordinary fastball until it is near the plate.
  • Sinker: A high-speed pitch with a downward trajectory that is used to induce groundballs.
  • Curveball: A curved pitch that breaks away from the pitcher's throwing arm.
  • Changeup: A straight pitch that is usually the slowest in the pitcher's arsenal. It is intended to get the batter to swing early and miss, but it is one of the easiest pitches to hit if the batter correctly identifies it.
  • Screwball: A curved pitch that breaks in the opposite direction of a curveball or a slider.
  • Knuckleball: A rare pitch that is slow and follows an unpredictable trajectory.

The player can conceal the location of the pitch by holding the button and moving the D-Pad before releasing the button. The aim of the pitch is set to the location of the ball when the button is pressed, not when the button is released, and any movement after that is ignored, so this can be done to hide the location of the pitch from the other player in two-player games.

After choosing the type of pitch and its position, the player chooses the speed of the throw: A for slow, B for medium, or C for fast. The pitcher can also throw to base with the D-Pad (Right for first, Up for second, or Left for third) to pick-off runners trying to steal a base or throw a pitchout (a pitch deliberately thrown outside of the strike zone to make it easier to catch) with Down to prevent baserunners from stealing a base or to thwart a squeeze play. Pitchers tire out over the course of the game and must be relieved. The pitcher's stamina can be viewed from the scoreboard.

When fielding, the D-Pad controls the player closest to the ball. If auto-fielding is enabled, the fielders automatically move toward any ball hit near them. The position of the ball is highlighted with a yellow circle when it is near the ground, and the positions of fielders are shown as team-colored dots over the miniature diamond in the bottom-left corner of the screen. The player can have the nearest fielder dive for the ball by pressing B while holding a direction or jump by pressing B while the fielder is standing still. Once the ball is in possession, it can be thrown to base by pressing C while holding a direction corresponding to the base (Right for first, Up for second, Left for third, or Down for home). If no direction is held, the ball is thrown to the cut-off man or to the pitcher.

The player can open the scoreboard with  START  to check the score, warm up relievers, substitute pitchers or fielders, play a replay, or change the options. There is also the ability to change the defensive strategy by changing the depth and shift of outfielders and infielders.

World Series Baseball 32X, Offense, Hitting.png

World Series Baseball 32X, Offense, Running.png

  • World Series Baseball 32X, Offense, Hitting.png

  • World Series Baseball 32X, Offense, Running.png

Offense
Before each pitch, the player chooses the type of swing: A for contact, B for normal, or C for power. Contact is a light hit to put the ball into play; power is a hard hit to try to get a run. The strike zone appears in brackets in the center of the screen. Hitting comes down to aim and timing. The player moves a batting bar at the ball with the D-Pad and swings with C or bunts with A. The batting bar is shaped like a bat and indicates where the bat will make contact with the ball. It has two vertical lines that indicate the "sweet spots" on the bat. On Rookie difficulty, the player does not need to aim the hit and only needs to swing. On Veteran, the batting bar is always the same size, while on All-Star, the size of the bar and the positions of the vertical bars vary depending on the batter.

After selecting the type of swing, runners can be instructed to lead-off by holding B while tapping a direction on the D-Pad corresponding to the base that the runner is currently on ((Right for first, Up for second, or Left for third, or Down for all baserunners). Runners can attempt to steal a base by holding B while holding a direction on the D-Pad.

When running, the player can slide to base with C. The player can control the runners on base by holding a direction on the D-Pad (Right for first, Up for second, Left for third, or Down for all baserunners) with B to run to the next base or A to return to base. The positions of runners are shown as team-colored dots over the miniature diamond in the bottom-left corner of the screen. Runners tire out and run slower if caught in a rundown (stranded between two bases) for too long.

The player can open the scoreboard with  START  to check the score, make substitutions, play a replay, or change the options.

Modes

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League team select

World Series Baseball 32X, Season Schedule.png

League season schedule

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Trade

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Playoff tree

The game has the following modes:

  • Exhibition: A single game against a human or computer player. The player can also watch two computer-controlled teams play. Assigning control to a human is done before the game by moving the player to a team with Left or Right, then the game is started with  START . Teams with drafted players from the League mode can be used in this mode.
  • League: Plays a season of games that culminate in the World Series. The player can choose the number of games (13, 26, 52, 104, or a full 162 games) and the number of divisions (4 or 6). Games can be simulated and skipped. If the player has the best record in the division by the end of the season, the player's team progresses to the best-of-seven League Championship, and the winners of the League Championship advance to the best-of-seven World Series. The game has the ability to draft and trade players. There is a mid-season All-Star Game whose members are chosen based on the player's season. The game uses a battery backup to save the season progress, including individual player statistics.
  • Playoffs: Skips the regular season and goes straight to the playoffs (and the World Series if the player qualifies). Progress in this mode is also saved using the battery backup.
  • Batting Practice: The player practices batting. There are no outs in this mode. The player can select a left- or right-handed pitcher, a left- or right-handed batter, the type of pitch, and the venue.
  • Home Run Derby: Players have 10 attempts to hit as many home runs as possible. A missed attempt is a hit that is not a home run; there are no strike-outs. This mode can be played by up to 8 players taking turns. Records can be saved to the cartridge.
  • Classic Home Run Derby: This mode is a home run competition that retains outs and innings. Like a standard baseball game, the player pitches during one half of the inning and hits in the other half, but there is no fielding or baserunning. The player with the most home runs after nine innings is the winner. There is an option to play as or challenge the "Home Run Derby Champion." It can be played by one or two players. Records can be saved to the cartridge.

Teams

League Division Team Players
American Western California Angels California Angels
Oakland Athletics Oakland Athletics
Seattle Mariners Seattle Mariners
Texas Rangers Texas Rangers
Central Chicago White Sox Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians Cleveland Indians
Kansas City Royals Kansas City Royals
Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee Brewers
Minnesota Twins Minnesota Twins
Eastern Baltimore Orioles Baltimore Orioles
Boston Red Sox Boston Red Sox
Detroit Tigers Detroit Tigers
New York Yankees New York Yankees
Toronto Blue Jays Toronto Blue Jays
National Western Colorado Rockies Colorado Rockies
Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants San Francisco Giants
Central Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati Reds
Houston Astros Houston Astros
Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates
St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals
Eastern Atlanta Braves Atlanta Braves
Florida Marlins Florida Marlins
Montreal Expos Montreal Expos
New York Mets New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia Phillies

Production credits

Source:
US manual
WorldSeriesBaseball32XUSManual.pdf
[2]

Magazine articles

Main article: World Series Baseball Starring Deion Sanders/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #5: "May 1995" (1995-04-18)
also published in:
  • (US) #0805: "Vol. 8 No. 5 May 1995" (1995-0x-xx)[3]
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(US) NTSC-U
60
[1]
(US) NTSC-U
100
[4]
(US) NTSC-U
80
[5]
Sega 32X
80
Based on
3 reviews

World Series Baseball Starring Deion Sanders

32X, US
WSB 32X US Box Back.jpgWSB 32X US Box Front.jpg
Cover
WSB 32X US Cart.jpg
Cart
WorldSeriesBaseball32XUSManual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

Main article: World Series Baseball Starring Deion Sanders/Technical information.

External links

  • Sega of America webpage: 32X

References


World Series Baseball Starring Deion Sanders

WSBSDS Title.png

Main page | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception | Region coding | Technical information


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World Series Baseball series of games
Sega Mega Drive
World Series Baseball (1994) | World Series Baseball '95 (1995) | World Series Baseball '96 (1996) | World Series Baseball 98 (1997)
Sega Game Gear
World Series Baseball (1993) | World Series Baseball '95 (1994) | Nomo's World Series Baseball (1995)
Sega Mega-CD
World Series Baseball (unreleased)
Sega 32X
World Series Baseball Starring Deion Sanders (1995)
Sega Saturn
World Series Baseball (1995) | World Series Baseball II (1996) | World Series Baseball 98 (1997)
Windows PC
World Series Baseball '96 (1996)
Arcade
World Series 99 (1999) | World Series Baseball (2001)
Sega Dreamcast
World Series Baseball 2K1 (2000) | World Series Baseball 2K2 (2001)
Xbox
World Series Baseball (2002) | World Series Baseball 2K3 (2003)
World Series Baseball related media
Book
(2000)