RBI Baseball Series History, Review, and All Games Ranked - NES SNES SEGA GENESIS 32X

Episode 5 - Part 1 of an in-depth review for baseball game series that had a release on the 32X. This episode covers the entire retro RBI Baseball Series. We will look over every game in the series talking about changes that were made from game to game along with some history. I will also give my opinion ranking them from worst to best, and give a review score for the 32X game along with RBI Baseball ‘94. Part 2 covers every World Series Baseball game that saw release on a cart.
Original hardware is always used when capturing footage.
::::: Episode System Hardware Breakdown::::
- Model 1 Sega Genesis
- Sega 32X
-The Original Analogue NT
-Super Nintendo
Gameplay footage is Captured using:
RBG and Component via the Framemeister to the Elgato HD 60
The Original Analogue NT to the Elgato HD 60

[@Sammydx1]

We spent a whole summer playing RBI3 on NES. Swimming. Playing baseball. What a great memory

[@GreekboyyD]

Same here. Loved playing as the Tengen team and hitting 500+ foot homers.

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

RBI Baseball 3 also very importantly had historical division winners from 1983-1990. So great championship teams like the '86 Mets, '89 A's, and '84 Tigers were all included as well.

[@Jenovi]

Nice tidbit!

[@GreekboyyD]

Loved playing as the Tengen team and hitting 500+ foot homers.

[@kushviper]

I’d wake up at 5am and get a couple games of RBI in before breakfast in 88 & 89.

[@Sammydx1]

Absolutely ! I loved NES RBI 2 and 3

[@221b]

I think the problem with the 32X version is that, while the add-on increased the capabilities of the Genesis considerably, it didn't do anything to change the cost-per-byte of ROM chips. Those huge detailed sprites take up a lot more space than the smaller ones on the Genesis, particularly when the difference in colour depth is factored in. That meant that the developers were faced with the choice of either using a huge and expensive ROM chip with would have increased the game's price significantly or cutting out as much content as they could. That's why the advent of the CD-ROM drive was so important. It would've been unfeasible for developers to make games that made use of the capabilities of the new consoles coming out in the mid-'90s while still being stuck with expensive ROM chips. It's no coincidence that the only major console to stick with cartridges in the 5th generation, the Nintendo 64, had a library consisting almost entirely of 3D games. It's a lot easier to fit a few vertex coordinates onto a ROM chip than it is to put a large, heavily-animated sprite onto one.

[@Jenovi]

Awesome post that is spot on.

[@ryzmaker11]

Some good points there. And it also happens that the N64 has a far smaller library compared to those of the Saturn or PS1. But how are N64 carts in terms of size and what was their retail price back then? I guess N64 carts are usually bigger than 32X no? So how those could be affordable then?

[@rars0n]

That's a really good point that I never considered before. It's easy to think that sprites don't take up a lot of space, but when you look at cart sizes back then, it's very true that larger sprites end up eating away a ton of space. There are other games where this is exemplified, either by lack of frames of animation, lack of background details, etc. In particular, one of the things that turns me off of the 32X RBI Baseball is the lack of frames of animation. It looks pretty clunky despite the large sprites.

[@rars0n]

​@@ryzmaker11 A quick search tells me that 32X carts were either 4 or 8 MB. N64 carts maxed out at a whopping 64 MB (that's bytes, not bits) for a few games by the end of its run. I think more commonly they were 4MB and 8 MB, with 16 and 32 MB becoming more common as time went on. Not very many games used 64 MB carts. They were NOT cheap. Average price of an N64 game was about $50, but I remember big capacity N64 games selling for $80 or more when new. Okay, so Neo Geo owners laugh at the thought of that being expensive. But for a mainstream cartridge, the cost of ROM capacity was definitely one of the big detriments to the N64, and partially why it had such a smaller library. The increased cost also meant that publishers had to spend more to sell the same amount of units, hence they were more reluctant to do so. On a side note, if you want to convert bytes to bits, just multiply by 8. So a 4MB cart is 32 Mb.

[@ryzmaker11]

@@rars0n thanx for the infos! yeah the choice to go with carts for the N64 came with as many pros (less piracy, no loading times..) as cons (more expensive, less storage..) but I love carts so much that sometimes I wish the saturn kept using some, just like the mega drive. it just feels more unique and got more of that arcade spirit. and it's also more reliable (I'm afraid of disc rot, especially with my expensive saturn games x_x)

[@pixelvaultstudios9947]

nice work like always. keep up great videos

[@pixelsncreatures]

awesome video . I don't usually play or own sports games. I recently found out I was only 3 games away from a complete NES Tengen Cart collection, those 2 was RBI BB 123. so getting those brought me to this video.

[@breal1183]

I love your passion for baseball games. You rock!!!!!!!!!!

[@Jenovi]

Thanks !

[@SeekerLancer]

I love retro sports games, yeah they're not as good as simulations as modern games, but they're fun.

[@Jenovi]

Agreed.

[@andrewcalvarese]

Ohhhh the nostalgia... I just downloaded ROMs for 3, 4 (my favorite) and 93 (to play as my 93 Phillies). I also just downloaded 94, since you rated it number one, I never played it as a kid.

[@rars0n]

I love baseball, and I love baseball games. However, with so many updates to sports games it gets daunting sometimes trying to find the best on a particular system or of a particular series.I love this video for that reason! Great job breaking all of these down. It's very interesting as I've never played it before, but RBI Baseball looks rather similar to Major League Baseball, the game I grew up with on the NES (along with Baseball Stars 2, another great baseball game). I'm definitely going to check these out, and I'm guessing that I'll never end up settling with just one or two baseball games on any given system, but several. I go through this every so often with N64 baseball games, as I can never remember which ones I like and which ones I don't. I always sit down and think "Okay, I'm going to sort these out once and for all," but I end up playing one and really liking it, and spending over an hour playing it instead of just moving on, and then I only get through 2 or 3 games.

[@Jenovi]

Growing up, I thought Baseball Stars was the greatest game since sliced bread.

[@rars0n]

@@Jenovi I will always be partial to Baseball Stars 2, since that's what I grew up with! But yeah, I know what you mean!

[@PlayingWithHistory]

I prefer '94's music to '93's. Super RBI on the SNES is a something of a frankenstein, stitched together from bits and pieces taken from 4, '93, and '94.

[@bildo1977]

You missed at least one game in this series. Super Batter Up on the Super Nintendo. It’s a direct sequel to the first R.B.I. Baseball.

[@nmpltleopardi]

R.B.I '95 is great. Only criticism I agreed with was regarding the artstyle and lack of animations but the gameplay is way better

[@sethmydude4812]

My favorite is still the original RBI baseball. Great game.

[@Jeffy888]

Seriously my favorite game ever

[@tornadotom2390]

Loved this game!

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

7:48...Jesus, they really misspelled Cincinnati.

[@TheCOZ]

Good ranking video. But the term "swan song" was misused.

[@alyours2889]

The best baseball game...is the arcade coin-op version of RBI, with the Hall of Fame rosters... ...and the NES version is a near perfect port of it! The pitching is awesome!

[@GamerGee]

Rbi baseball is the top three. Love the Japanese art style. And the sound effects.

[@IanMicheal]

Would of been nice if you also included rbi baseball amiga rbi baseball c64 .. rbi baseball atari st.. But this is nice thank you..

[@Jenovi]

Thanks for watching. I own a ton of systems, but I've never even seen a C64, Atari ST, or Amiga for sale. When I do, I'll be sure to pick them up.

[@ultimatejoecolton]

Nevermind that was on my end

[@infinitecanadian]

The Mega Drive has a Sega Master System built in; have you played those boxing games?

[@Jenovi]

Maybe just Buster Douglas. I’m not really familiar with other Master System boxing games.

[@infinitecanadian]

@@Jenovi Ah; then you haven't played all the boxing games on the Mega Drive! I tried them, but kept getting my ass kicked.

[@Jenovi]

I’ll look up a list for the Master System. I have every boxing game on the Mega Drive. I might even make a What’s the best Boxing? later this year.

[@rars0n]

I forgot to ask, if you happen to read this comment, but are you in Washington or do you just happen to be a Mariners fan? I thought I remember you mentioning a midwest state at some point.

[@Jenovi]

I live in Oregon, also a Mariners fan. Even rock a Mariners shirt in the new video.

[@rars0n]

@@Jenovi Nice! I love when people display their baseball colors!

[@Lightblue2222]

Correction. RBI 95 has videos and music during gameplay. Infact it has tons of music and it's always changing up the tracks as you play. It keeps the tradition. I'm not sure why music and movies is turned off in options but once you turn them on the game has far more life. It also has more dynamic pitching as you can throw the ball in any direction instead of just left and right. I strike em out throwing just under the bat. I love the closer to earth view of the pitcher. The ball has great animation for depth. It's hard for me to go back to 94 after playing 95 but mostly because the screen is zoomed out more on the field. In 94 the camera seems too close and cramped giving me less time to react to fly balls. I really think you downplay rbi 95 a bit too much. But just my opinion. Love your show as always. If you try it again check it out with the music and movies turned on.

[@Jenovi]

I’ll certainly give it a go. Thank you for the tips.

[@ryzmaker11]

hey buddy. some interesting points there. you really make me want to dig RBI 95 now!

[@SumerNivek]

I love how the outfield wall banner in '95 (32x) has "Cincinnati" spelled wrong! There are not two "T's" at the end! :D

[@CasperEgas]

I only played the two baseball games on the 32X, none on the Mega Drive. I imported those two (they are region free). I liked RBI better than World Series because it plays faster. I did play a few baseball games for older and newer consoles. They usually aren't released in Europe though.

[@KewieCRC420]

Please do a video for Sega Saturn sports games. The baseball ones and especially the Japanese greatest nine series. I can’t find any written or video form of the differences for each. Only the dates of release. Please consider. Take it easy and appreciate your videos.

[@dirtface5923]

i wish they would make a fat boy nes version with updated rosters and stadiums.

[@hybridvigga]

Given how few copies they actually sell, it was amazing how many Baseball games used to come out in Europe (well, UK), and we didn't really stop getting them till into the PS2 lifespan even though they would sell as little as 2,000 copies across the whole of Europe at times, before they finally gave up on the idea. It MIGHT have something to do with the fact we call it 'softball' over here, and its a girls game they used to play in 'phys-ed' at school, to keep them off the good bit of the field so we could play football or rugby on it. Madden games sell pretty well though, and even got me into watching American Football.

[@Jenovi]

I always wondered by they sold Baseball games there.

[@reshanner]

Original R.B.I. should be #1, come on man!

[@Jenovi]

From an importance standpoint? For sure.

[@freemancubsfan6417]

The original RBI and vs RBI are fantastic. All the others are pretty bad. The super famista games on the super famicom are better then all the baseball games on the snes. Super famista 4 I especially enjoy. I wish there was a MLB hack of this game

[@jdotcom8055]

R.B.I. #9???!!!!!!

[@FallicIdol]

Baseball Stars represent

[@openskiesmedia]

What is the Game Gear, chopped liver? :(

[@acason4]

Original NES baseball games ranked: 1 RBI III 2 Baseball Simulator 1,000 3 Baseball Stars 4 Bases Loaded 5 MLB Major League Baseball

[@Jenovi]

Man, I played the heck out of Baseball Stars.

[@fptrees937]

Just a heads up to every person who watches this video, ranking the origInal RBI Baseball dead last is blasphemous. Not only RBI Baseball the best game in the series by a country mile, it's arguably the single greatest baseball game of all time. Do not bother to play any of the sequels, they are all trash tier and got worse as the series went along. The original RBI Baseball is a masterpiece of retro gaming, the author of this video is horrifically wrong for ranking it dead last.

[@Jenovi]

I'm always glad to hear from my viewers. Thanks for sharing.

[@fptrees937]

I should have said the quality of the video was very well executed and your channel should be successful in time, but I wanted to post a very strong comment defending RBI Baseball, which to me, is the greatest baseball game of all time. There's also a community that updates the rosters and even has best of decade teams and years like 1951 etc. To anyone that's interested. You should be able to find it all on your google machine.

[@TECMOBOWLvsRBI]

I agree the original RBI Baseball is under-rated here. However I don't know Jenovi and his experiences of playing these games in competitive 2 player mode. 2-player is ultimately the true litmus test for sports games from that era. 2-player RBI is fantastic. Original RBI has the best pitcher/batter interface of any game from that era. I can see the ball from the pitcher to the plate coming frame by frame, and seeing every little detail of it curving in or out. Future versions offered a less detailed/clear look at the path of the ball. ' Fielding also requires skill. The group of fielders connected to each other does not cause an issue for the player that can quickly identify/anticipate the ball's path, and maneuver the correct defender. Lastly I'll add that I've traveled to Chicago and Columbus Ohio multiple times for RBI tournaments requiring a $100 entry fee, with 1st place winning $800. From a competitive 2 player standpoint, RBI was the perfect game to marry it's simplicity, it's depth with the player skills needed to make such a tournament possible. No other RBI baseball release since has the dedicated following that the original has. Popular doesn't always mean better(see pop music), however the original RBI outside of "diving and jumping" fielders really had the goods to make it a timeless and enjoyable game.

[@Jenovi]

What a fantastic post! Your spot on as I'm mainly looking at these from a single player perspective. I really appreciate you sharing this with me. I had no idea this was a thing, though I can see the added value it gives a game. I grew up and still live in the middle of no where, so I've never been aquatinted with any kind of competitive scene as they just don't exist here. Again, thanks for sharing! -Jenovi

[@johnlarson7858]

I agree with you 100%. The only baseball game that brought me and my neighbor together to play about 6,000 times. The original R.B.I. Baseball has a charm that cannot be explained, nor will one necessarily experience that charm the first time out. Trust me...if you love baseball...and you love a certain simplicity with a sports game, R.B.I. Baseball will permanently sit at the top of your list.

[@pyramidbuilder4227]

Baseball stars was better (original version) on nes

[@Jenovi]

I loved Baseball Stars!

[@chrisspearline767]

No playoffs

[@ultimatejoecolton]

The sound is garbage WTF?

[@Slimc74]

Yea but they ruined rbi now. Its too arcade. Yea rbi old school was a little over the top. But it was competitive. You had to pitch well. So todays should be as good as the show

[@TurdFerg117]

RBI baseball sucks..the new ones are decent for an arcade experience