Clutch Hitter (USA, Europe)
Clutch Hitter (USA, Europe): GG Sports
Clutch Hitter is a baseball game that came to the Sega Game Gear in the USA and Europe. It was also released in arcades, which is unusual for a handheld title - though the Game Gear version stands on its own as a portable sports sim. Sega handled the publishing duties, as they did with many of their console sports titles during the early '90s. If you picked this up back then, you were getting a straightforward baseball experience without the frills of the 16-bit home editions, but that was part of its charm.
On the field, you take control of a team of computerized players and go through a standard nine-inning game. You pitch, bat, and field - the core loop is exactly what you expect from a baseball game of the era. The controls are simple: you choose your pitch type, swing with timing, and move fielders to make catches or throw the ball to bases. There is a season mode of sorts, but the main draw is quick exhibition matches. The graphics are colorful, though the small Game Gear screen means player sprites are tiny. Sound effects are basic beeps and boops, but they get the job done.
Today, Clutch Hitter is a solid entry in the Game Gear's sports library. It is not a deep simulation, but it does not pretend to be. For fans of retro handhelds, it offers a quick pick-up-and-play baseball fix. Compared to other Game Gear sports games like Baseball 2000 or The Baseball, Clutch Hitter is fairly average - simple, functional, and faithful to the arcade version. If you enjoy classic baseball games and do not mind the limited hardware, this one is worth a few innings.
How to Play Clutch Hitter (USA, Europe) Online
Getting started
When you boot up Clutch Hitter, you will see a title screen with options for a single game or a league mode. Press Start to begin. You can choose your team and the opposing team from a small selection of fictional clubs. Once the game starts, you control the pitcher. Use the D-Pad to choose pitch type (fastball, curve, etc.) and press A (X key) to throw. Aim with the D-Pad before releasing. On defense, move your fielders with the D-Pad and press A to throw to a base. On offense, time your swing with the A button. The core loop is simple: pitch, field, bat, run - repeat for nine innings. Fielding can be tricky because the ball is small and the screen scrolls automatically. Pay attention to the ball's shadow to judge where it will land. Running the bases is mostly automatic, but you can press the B button (S key) to slide. The computer opponent is fairly tough on higher difficulty, so practice your timing. There is no tutorial, but the gameplay is intuitive if you have played any retro baseball game. Just remember that the pitch speed changes with each type, so adjust your swing timing accordingly.
Clutch Hitter (USA, Europe) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: Button 1
- S: Button 2
- Enter: Start / Pause
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