Bottom of the 9th
Bottom of the 9th is a baseball video game released by Konami for the PlayStation in 1996. Later the same year it was ported to the Sega Saturn and in 1999 to the Nintendo 64. The sequels Bottom of the 9th '97 and Bottom of the 9th '99 were released for the PlayStation.
Bottom of the 9th
- Date
- 1996
- Publisher
- Konami
- Language
- English
- Genre
- sports video game
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
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Documentary summary
Bottom of the 9th is a baseball video game released by Konami for the PlayStation in 1996. Later the same year it was ported to the Sega Saturn and in 1999 to the Nintendo 64. The sequels Bottom of the 9th '97 and Bottom of the 9th '99 were released for the PlayStation.
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Documentary evidence
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Authority files
wikidata · Q2911866 · wikipedia · Bottom of the 9th
In this article
The object
The object
The game is part of Konami's XXL Sports brand.
Key facts
Key facts
• Title — Bottom of the 9th • Developer — Konami Computer Entertainment Chicago • Publisher — Konami • Artist — Greg Orduyan • Platforms — PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Nintendo 64 • Released — PlayStation Saturn October 18, 1996 Nintendo 64 April 14, 1999 • Genre — Sports • Modes — Single player, multiplayer
Gameplay
Gameplay
One of the earliest in Konamis franchise, this version features 300 actual MLB players, but does not feature the MLB licensed teams. Players can choose to either play against a friend in Exhibition, Season or Playoffs. The gameplay is geared for more of a simulation style of play, with the players stats determining how well they hit, pitch and field. Along with the standard modes for a baseball game, this one also features the ability to customize teams and choose any player to create a "Dream Team". It also has a variety of different camera angles, a "Streak Bar" that shows a batter's hitting ability, and a "Pitching Bar" that shows whether a pitcher is fatigued. It is notable for being the first baseball game released in North America to utilize a batting cursor.
History of the object
Dated record
History of the object
Explore 1996–2000
The full dated record · 3 entries
1996
Bottom of the 9th published.
1996
Bottom of the 9th is recorded as published in 1996.
2000
Bottom of the 9th (2000) is digitised and catalogued by Open Library.
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
- Japan
Reception
Bottom of the 9th received mixed reviews. Critics commented that the screen is too cluttered with info, the graphics in general are below average, and the controls (particularly the unusual batting system) are difficult to get a handle on. However, critics for Next Generation and GamePro felt the controls and steep challenge of the game ultimately make it more realistic, and that mastering the unusual controls ultimately pays off with a deeper gaming experience, with GamePro concluding that "Serious baseball fiends will enjoy this ballpark's authentic, challenging gameplay". The two sports reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly instead argued that the steep learning curve makes Bottom of the 9th less worthwhile than more immediately accessible games. GamePro described the Saturn version as "an impressively exact port... with both the flaws (quirky graphics and tricky controls) and high points (excellent gameplay) of the original." They noted that despite the fact that the 1996 baseball season had started, the Saturn version had not updated the rosters.
Primary material
Documents and archives
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q2911866: Bottom of the 9th
General reference · Wikidata
reference work
- “Bottom of the 9th”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Ziff Davis. Konami, Disney and ESPN Bond. IGN. 5 November 1999.
- 2.Ricciardi, John. Bottom of the 9th. Electronic Gaming Monthly. 12. 4. 121. April 1999.
- 3.Ziff Davis. Bottom of the 9th. Electronic Gaming Monthly. 83. 120. June 1996.
- 4.Imagine Media. Off the Wall. Next Generation. 19. 74. July 1996.
- 5.Air Hendrix. Bottom of the 9th. GamePro. IDG. 92. 77. May 1996.
- 6.Air Hendrix. Bottom of the 9th. GamePro. IDG. 97. 102. October 1996.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
authority record
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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