Roger Clemens' MVP Baseball Overview
Roger Clemens' MVP Baseball is a baseball simulation for the NES featuring entirely fictional teams and players, with the notable exception of Roger Clemens himself, who is a member of the Boston Hornets. The game offers two primary modes: a single exhibition match and a full Regular Season mode that includes playoffs and is tracked via an in-game calendar, with progress saved using a password system.
Team selection involves choosing from a roster of invented clubs divided into National and American League divisions, such as the San Francisco Quakes or the New York Rebels. Each fictional player on these teams possesses individual skill ratings and statistics. Gameplay is divided into distinct phases of pitching, batting, and fielding, each with its own control schemes and camera perspectives.
When pitching, the user can adjust the throw's velocity, spin, and placement, while also monitoring baserunners through on-screen windows to prevent steals. As the batter, timing the swing correctly is crucial to avoid misses or fouls, and the option to take a pitch or attempt to steal a base is present. After contact, control shifts to fielding, where the camera angle lowers and follows the ball, with the player directing the nearest fielder to retrieve it and make a throw. The camera system dynamically shifts between various infield and outfield positions to track the action.
A two-player exhibition mode is available for head-to-head play. The mechanics of timing hits and managing pitch control suggest a gameplay experience that can be challenging, relying on player skill rather than automated assistance.
