World Series Baseball 98 Overview
World Series Baseball 98 is a baseball simulation for the Sega Genesis, representing the fourth installment in its series. It incorporates the team rosters and player statistics from the 1997 Major League Baseball season, which includes the then-new interleague play format, while also providing updated data from the 1996 season.
The available modes of play include Exhibition, League, Playoffs, and All-Star games, alongside practice options like Batting Practice and two variants of a Homerun Derby. A comprehensive statistics system tracks data across 27 categories, with league leaders, team standings, and other progress saved via the cartridge's battery backup. Team management options, such as enabling or disabling trades, are present.
On the field, the perspective for batting is from behind the hitter, with swing choices of contact, normal, or power. Pitching offers a selection of fastball, splitter, and changeup pitches, a change from the previous game's slider. A targeting rectangle is used to aim pitches, which can be placed outside of it to attempt to deceive the batter, with the pitcher's accuracy influenced by the batter's own statistical ratings.
Fielding can be handled either by the player or assigned to computer control. Baserunners have commands to advance, retreat, or slide into a base. Various strategic decisions regarding line-ups and in-game tactics can be adjusted during play. The core gameplay mechanics and visual presentation remain consistent with the prior series entry.
