Base Wars
Reviewed by Tom LeValley
Base Wars is easily the most exciting baseball game made for
the NES. The introduction of fighting to earn your bases makes
the game much more exciting. Also, as the season goes along,
your players can be upgraded in the shop. Some stat tracking,
but the game play is what you come for here, kids.
Graphics 4 out of 5
The graphics on this game I would have to say are pretty good.
My version is somewhat messed up, but memories of the game
on the actual NES (when mine still worked) are of high quality
(for the time) graphics. The robot detail is pretty good, and the
cut scenes aren't too bad. The 1 point off is for its outdatedness.
Music and Sound 4.5 out of 5
The music is quite repetitive, but highly catchy. Game play has
the same sounds for both sides, but there are different sounds
in every other aspect of the game. Nice little rhythm, won't
throw you off when you're trying to bat or anything like that,
pretty much just how you'd expect game music should be.
Game Challenge 4 out of 5
The game can really be as challenging as you want it to be. There
are no difficulty levels per se, but you can make the computer
easy to beat or quite hard. Also as the season progresses, not
only can your players get better, but so do the computer's.
When the computer's pitcher has hyper unit and hyper arm, it
is very difficult to hit. It makes the game more fun though.
Game Play-Fun 5 out of 5
This is where this game shines. Usually, I find most baseball
games highly boring, with the same old repetition of pitch, swing,
throw out, etc. The way they include fighting to avoid outs, as
well as hit points for the destruction of players, makes this game
take the cake even compared to late 90's baseball games. The only
thing missing is highly developed stats, but this game gives way
more than you'd expect out of an 8-bit cartridge.
Frustration
There are a few frustrating things about this game.
1. The computer is nearly impossible to hit when it has hyper
unit and arm.
2. Computer controlled flybots are impossible to beat, while
yours are pretty useless.
3. The longest season doesn't give you enough time to rack up points
to equip everyone with hyper everything and a laser sword.
4. During the season, cpu v. cpu games can't be simulated, and
some take forever.
Replayability 5 out of 5
This game is just fun to load up whenever you have time. You can
also play this game over a long period of time. It works both ways
like that.
Game Value 5 out of 5
I don't remember how much I paid for it initially, but I'm pretty sure
it was in the $20-$30 range. It was well worth that, and anywhere you
can find this game, I highly recommend picking it up.
Overall 5 out of 5
I really, really, really love this game. No other baseball game created
yet compares to it. The complete control of everything at the beginning
of seasons, the complete lack of control during games, frustration,
relaxation, this game has it all. I would love to see an advanced version
of this game, however unlikely. This game rates in my top 5 all time
sports games.