Summary
- Release Year: 1993
- Genres: Fighting, Hack and slash/Beat ’em up, Sport
- Platforms: Arcade
- Developers: Irem America, Irem Corporation
- Publishers: Irem America, Irem Corporation
Ninja Baseball Bat Man: The Ultimate Arcade Beat ‘Em Up
Released in 1993 by Irem, Ninja Baseball Bat Man is a side-scrolling beat ’em up arcade game that quickly gained a cult following among fans of the genre. With its unique blend of baseball and martial arts gameplay, over-the-top characters, and quirky humor, Ninja Baseball Bat Man stands out as one of the most memorable arcade experiences of the early ’90s.
Gameplay
Ninja Baseball Bat Man follows a group of four ninjas who use baseball bats as their primary weapons. Players can choose from four characters, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles:
- Joe “Joe the Bat” Jackson: A powerful slugger with a slow swing but devastating power.
- Ryang “Ryang the Shooter” Ryu: A speedy infielder with a fast swing and projectile attacks.
- Lee “Lee the Leaper” Harvey: A high-flying outfielder with acrobatic moves and a long-range bat swing.
- Kim “Kim the Kick” Lee: A female ninja with powerful kicks and the ability to grapple enemies.
The gameplay in Ninja Baseball Bat Man is simple but addictive. Players must fight their way through hordes of enemies, using their baseball bats to knock them out. Players can also pick up various power-ups, such as health items, invincibility, and homing bats.
One of the unique features of Ninja Baseball Bat Man is the ability to charge up your bat swing. By holding down the attack button, players can unleash a powerful charged swing that can knock out multiple enemies at once. This adds an extra layer of strategy to the combat, as players must decide when to use their charged swings wisely.
Characters
The characters in Ninja Baseball Bat Man are one of the things that make the game so memorable. Each character has their own unique personality and fighting style, and they all work together to create a truly unforgettable experience.
- Joe “Joe the Bat” Jackson: The leader of the group, Joe is a powerful slugger who loves to hit home runs. He is also a bit of a hothead, and he is always ready to start a fight.
- Ryang “Ryang the Shooter” Ryu: The speedy infielder, Ryang is a quick and agile fighter who uses his projectile attacks to keep his enemies at bay. He is also a bit of a show-off, and he loves to taunt his opponents.
- Lee “Lee the Leaper” Harvey: The high-flying outfielder, Lee is an acrobatic fighter who uses his long-range bat swing to attack his enemies from afar. He is also a bit of a klutz, and he is always getting himself into trouble.
- Kim “Kim the Kick” Lee: The female ninja, Kim is a powerful fighter who uses her kicks and grappling abilities to take down her opponents. She is also a bit of a tomboy, and she is not afraid to get her hands dirty.
Story
The story of Ninja Baseball Bat Man is simple but effective. The four ninjas are on a mission to defeat the evil Mr. Baseball, who is trying to take over the world with his army of mutant baseball players. The ninjas must travel across the world, fighting their way through hordes of enemies, in order to reach Mr. Baseball and put an end to his evil plans.
Graphics and Sound
For a 1993 arcade game, Ninja Baseball Bat Man has impressive graphics and sound. The character sprites are large and detailed, and the backgrounds are colorful and vibrant. The game also features a catchy soundtrack that perfectly captures the over-the-top tone of the game.
Legacy
Ninja Baseball Bat Man was a critical and commercial success upon its release in 1993. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, quirky characters, and over-the-top humor. Ninja Baseball Bat Man has since been ported to various home consoles, and it remains a popular game among fans of the beat ’em up genre.
Conclusion
Ninja Baseball Bat Man is a classic arcade beat ’em up that still holds up today. With its unique blend of baseball and martial arts gameplay, over-the-top characters, and quirky humor, Ninja Baseball Bat Man is a truly unforgettable experience. If you are a fan of beat ’em up games, or if you are just looking for a fun and challenging arcade experience, then you owe it to yourself to check out Ninja Baseball Bat Man.
Review Score
8.5/10