Relief Pitcher (video game)

Relief Pitcher is a baseball arcade video game developed by Atari Games and released in 1992. A Super Nintendo Entertainment System port was published in 1994.

Relief Pitcher
Super Nintendo cover art
Developer(s)	Atari Games (Arcade) Left Field Entertainment (SNES)
Publisher(s)	Atari Games (Arcade) Left Field Entertainment (SNES)
Designer(s)	Mike Hally Peter Lipson
Programmer(s)	Peter Lipson
Artist(s)	Mark Stephen Pierce
Composer(s)	Don Diekneite
Platform(s)	Arcade Super NES
Release	Arcade: NA: 1992 Super NES: NA: May 1994[1]
Genre(s)	Sports
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Summary

Arcade game ending

There are two modes to this game: players can either be the starting pitcher; which is a full 9-inning game for either one or two players, or they can be the relief pitcher and do a 12-game season for one player only. An additional relief pitcher mode allows the best of 7 World Series type of play for two players.^[2]

There are four fictitious teams (Boston Bashers, Houston Dusters, Los Angeles Speeders, and Chicago Strokers) to choose from with its own special strength.^[2][3] Players must choose their favorite special pitch and dive into the more complicated mechanics of pitching a baseball. All the ballplayers in the game are fictional. There are many meters to use while determining whether to strike out the batter or give him an intentional walk instead. Batters also have to deal with meters that have to do with offense rather than defense.^[2]

After playing each game, the player is entitled to a certain level of salary. This depends on how good the player performs out in the field. After winning the playoffs in arcade mode, it shows the final box score with a special game over message inside of it.^[4] The commentary in this game is done by legendary baseball announcer Jack Buck.^[2]

Reception

RePlay reported Relief Pitcher to be the second most-popular arcade game at the time.^[5]