Game Details
| Size | 122 MB |
| Region | USA |
| Genre | Sports |
| Format | 7z / BIN |
| Year | June 1997 |
| Console | PSX |
All-Star Baseball ’97 Featuring Frank Thomas (1997) is a notable landmark in retro sports gaming. Developed by Iguana Entertainment and published by Acclaim, this title marked the grand transition of Acclaim’s baseball franchise into the 3D era on the PlayStation 1 and Nintendo 64.
By plastering Chicago White Sox superstar and future Hall-of-Famer Frank “The Big Hurt” Thomas on the cover, Acclaim delivered a feature-packed title designed to capture the heavy-hitting excitement of late-90s baseball.
Premise: The Big Hurt Steps Up to the Plate
Before the All-Star Baseball series became an annualized staple of the early 2000s, this 1997 entry served as the spiritual successor to Acclaim’s older Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball games.
The game leans heavily into its Major League Baseball (MLB) and MLBPA licenses, offering fans the chance to play with authentic 1997 team rosters, real player statistics, and meticulously modeled stadiums. It aimed to provide a premium simulation experience that combined deep management modes with accessible arcade-style pitching and batting mechanics.
Back Cover Description
“STEP UP TO THE PLATE WITH THE BIG HURT!”
“Experience the power, the strategy, and the raw excitement of Major League Baseball like never before! All-Star Baseball ’97 puts you on the diamond with real MLB teams, actual player stats, and authentic stadiums.
Take control with advanced pitching mechanics, custom batting stances, and fluid defensive controls. Guide your favorite franchise through a grueling 162-game simulation season, manage your bullpen, trade players, and fight your way to the Fall Classic. With expert commentary, real-time stat tracking, and heavy-hitting gameplay approved by Frank Thomas himself, this is the definitive baseball experience.
It’s time to bring the hurt.“
Key Gameplay Features
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Authentic MLB Licensing: Features all 28 Major League Baseball teams from the 1997 season, complete with actual team logos, real stadiums (like Fenway Park and Wrigley Field), and realistic player ratings.
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Deep Management Modes: Players can engage in Exhibition games, play a shortened or full 162-game Pennant Race, jump straight to the Playoffs, or hone their skills in a dedicated Home Run Derby mode.
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Motion-Captured Animation: Utilizing advanced 90s motion-capture technology, the game features realistic player animations for pitching, sliding, diving catches, and unique signature batting stances (including Frank Thomas’s iconic stance).
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Comprehensive Stat Tracking: The game acts as a virtual stat-book, saving and compiling a massive array of team and individual player metrics over the course of a simulated season to satisfy hardcore baseball fans.
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Dynamic Audio Presentation: Features detailed play-by-play style stadium announcer commentary, authentic crowd ambient noise, and booming crack-of-the-bat sound effects.
Short Review: A Solid, Feature-Packed Diamond
The Good
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Incredible Depth: The inclusion of full season tracking and extensive roster management tools gave sports fans exceptional value for their money in 1997.
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Excellent Stadium Realism: For its era, the digital recreations of historic ballparks were highly accurate, capturing distinct outfield wall layouts and stadium geometry.
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Fun Batting Mechanics: The hitting engine is incredibly satisfying; timing a pitch perfectly and watching a ball sail over the fence in the Home Run Derby feels fantastic.
The Bad
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Stiff Pre-Analog Controls: Because it was released just before the widespread adoption of the DualShock analog controller, navigating the outfield and aiming pitches using only the digital D-pad can feel stiff and rigid.
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Visual Aging: The game utilizes 2D pre-rendered player sprites inside 3D stadiums. While it kept the frame rate smooth, the pixelated player models look dated compared to the fully 3D baseball games that arrived later on the platform.
Screenshots
