Play Ken Griffey Jrs' Slugfest Online

Ken Griffey Jr.'s Slugfest came out for the Game Boy Color in 1999, a time when sports games were finding a solid footing on handhelds. Nintendo published it, and it was one of the more substantial baseball titles you could carry in your pocket. It fit right in with other sports releases of that era, offering a complete game of baseball without needing a console.

You control your team of baseball players, aiming to outscore the opponent over nine innings. The core of the game is at the plate and on the mound; you time your swings to hit pitches and aim your throws to get batters out. A couple of its defining mechanics are the home run derby mode, where you just swing for the fences, and the ability to steal bases with a well timed button press. The pacing is quick for a baseball game, and the difficulty feels fair, challenging you to read pitches without being unfair. It feels satisfying to connect with a fastball and watch it sail over the outfield wall.