Super League (Mega Drive)

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • NTSC-J/PAL
  • NTSC-U

SuperLeague MDTitleScreen.png

TommyLasordaBaseball MD US TitleScreen.png

Super League/Tommy Lasorda Baseball
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-Tech
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: Sports[1][2] (baseball)

















Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥5,8005,800 G-4006
Sega Mega Drive
US
$59.9959.99[4] 1200
Sega Mega Drive
US
(Classic)
$29.9529.95[5] 1200C
Sega Mega Drive
EU
1200
Sega Mega Drive
UK
£34.9934.99[6][7] 1200
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
CA
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Arcade (Mega-Tech System)
UK
£? ?

























Super League (スーパーリーグ), known in the United States as Tommy Lasorda Baseball, is a Mega Drive baseball game developed by Sega R&D 2 and published by Sega in 1984.[2][3]

The American version of the game was endorsed by Tommy Lasorda, who was manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time.

Gameplay

The game is a major league baseball game. The Western versions features teams modeled after Major League Baseball, while the Japanese version teams are based on the Nippon Professional Baseball league. Player names and statistics are fictional.

Before each game, players can change the batting order and the starting pitchers. Player one is always the visitor and bats first.

Super League MD US, Defense, Pitching.png

Super League MD US, Defense, Fielding.png

  • Super League MD US, Defense, Pitching.png

  • Super League MD US, Defense, Fielding.png

Defense
When pitching, Left and Right position the pitcher on the mound and C throws the ball. During the pitch, holding Left throws a slider, Right throws a curve, and Up throws a change-up (which can be combined with the others to throw a slow slider or a slow curve). While pitching, the player can change the position of the fielders by pressing A while pressing a direction on the D-Pad. The fielders can move two steps in any direction. Moving the fielders in makes it easier to catch ground balls and bunts, while moving the fielders back better positions them to field fly balls from hard hitters.

The stamina of the pitcher is shown under his ERA in the bottom-right corner of the screen. When a pitcher is low on stamina, the ball becomes harder to control. The player can substitute a relief pitcher by pausing the game with  START  and choosing a substitute.

Pressing B when there are runners on base shows an overhead view of the diamond. From this view, the pitcher can throw the ball to a base to pick off a runner trying to steal a base by pressing C while holding a direction corresponding to the base (Right for first, Up for second, Left for third, or Down for home). The pitcher can run the ball to a base himself for a tag-out by pressing B while holding a direction corresponding to the base.

When fielding, the D-Pad controls the fielder closest to the ball; the computer controls the other fielders. A yellow dot on the miniature field in the bottom-right corner of the screen tracks the ball as it moves; a yellow circle flashes to show where the ball will land, to help position a fielder to catch it. Wind can affect the trajectory of the ball's flight (if enabled). After catching the ball, it can be thrown to base by pressing C while holding a direction corresponding to the base.

Super League MD US, Offense, Hitting.png

Super League MD US, Offense, Running.png

Super League MD US, Offense, Home Run.png

  • Super League MD US, Offense, Hitting.png

  • Super League MD US, Offense, Running.png

  • Super League MD US, Offense, Home Run.png

Offense
When hitting, the D-Pad positions the batter in the batter's box. Holding C performs a complete swing; only tapping C does a check swing (which can be done multiple times, depending on the positioning of the batter, but the batter completes the swing if the bat passes over home plate). Pressing A holds a bunt (or pressing A again releases it). Tapping Left or Right aims the bunt in a direction.

Before the pitch, the player can lead-off by pressing B while holding a direction corresponding to the destination base (Right for first, Up for second, Left for third, or Down for home). After the wind-up, the player can steal a base in the same way. The player can have a runner return to base by pressing C while holding a direction corresponding to the destination base.

The player can call in a pinch hitter or substitute a runner by pausing the game with  START  before the pitcher winds up and selecting a substitute.

Modes

The game modes are named differently depending on the region of the game:

  • U.S. East/West Mode and World East/West Mode (C-League Mode and P-League Mode in the Japanese version): Starts a 30-game season. This mode is for one player competing against computer-controlled teams. The name of the mode indicates the league and the division (or just the league in the Japanese version) of the teams available. If the player wins the league championship, the player's team progresses to the World Series in the Western versions or the Nippon Series in the Japanese version, a best-of-seven game playoff series. The game uses a password for continuing.
  • Open Game (Open Mode in the Japanese version): A single game for one player against a computer opponent. The player can choose any team to play and for the opponent.
  • Exhibition Game (Vs Mode in the Japanese version): A single game for two players competing against one another. Players can choose any team to play.

In the options, the player can set the computer difficulty (Easy, Normal, or Hard) and whether to bias the game towards pitchers or batters or have an equal game of skill between both. There are also toggles for fielding errors and the ball marker (that shows where the ball will land) and three settings for wind (Off for no wind, Easy for slight wind effects on the ball, and Hard for possibly major wind effects on the ball, especially when it is hit high into the air).

Teams

No versions of Super League carry official licenses from baseball organisations. However, both the Japanese and Western versions use teams inspired by their real life counterparts. Likewise, all player names are fictional.

Western versions

In the West, teams are based on those that competed in the 1989 Major League Baseball season. The "U.S. League" corresponds to the American League, and the "World League" corresponds to the National League.

League Division Team Based on
U.S. Eastern
Super League MD US, Teams.png
DET
Detroit Tigers
Super League MD US, Teams.png
TOR
Toronto Blue Jays
Super League MD US, Teams.png
MIL
Milwaukee Brewers
Super League MD US, Teams.png
NY
New York Yankees
Super League MD US, Teams.png
BOS
Boston Red Sox
Super League MD US, Teams.png
BAL
Baltimore Orioles
Super League MD US, Teams.png
CLE
Cleveland Indians
Western
Super League MD US, Teams.png
MIN
Minnesota Twins
Super League MD US, Teams.png
KC
Kansas City Royals
Super League MD US, Teams.png
OAK
Oakland Athletics
Super League MD US, Teams.png
SEA
Seattle Mariners
Super League MD US, Teams.png
CHI
Chicago White Sox
Super League MD US, Teams.png
CAL
California Angels
Super League MD US, Teams.png
TEX
Texas Rangers
World Eastern
Super League MD US, Teams.png
STL
St. Louis Cardinals
Super League MD US, Teams.png
NY
New York Mets
Super League MD US, Teams.png
MON
Montreal Expos
Super League MD US, Teams.png
PHI
Philadelphia Phillies
Super League MD US, Teams.png
PIT
Pittsburgh Pirates
Super League MD US, Teams.png
CHI
Chicago Cubs
Western
Super League MD US, Teams.png
SF
San Francisco Giants
Super League MD US, Teams.png
CIN
Cincinnati Reds
Super League MD US, Teams.png
HOU
Houston Astros
Super League MD US, Teams.png
LA
Los Angeles Dodgers
Super League MD US, Teams.png
ATL
Atlanta Braves
Super League MD US, Teams.png
SD
San Diego Padres

Japanese version

In Japan, the teams are based on those of the 1989 Nippon Professional Baseball season.

League Division Team Based on
U.S. Central
Super League MD JP, Teams.png
Dracons
Chunichi Dragons
Super League MD JP, Teams.png
Gaints
Yomiuri Giants
Super League MD JP, Teams.png
Carves
Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Super League MD JP, Teams.png
Sallows
Yakult Swallows
Super League MD JP, Teams.png
Whoels
Yokohama Taigou Whales
Super League MD JP, Teams.png
Tiders
Hanshin Tigers
Pacific
Super League MD JP, Teams.png
Leopons
Seibu Lions
Super League MD JP, Teams.png
Buffals
Kintetsu Buffaloes
Super League MD JP, Teams.png
Figers
Nippon-Ham Fighters
Super League MD JP, Teams.png
Brives
Orix Braves
Super League MD JP, Teams.png
Hawkas
Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
Super League MD JP, Teams.png
Orvons
Lotte Orions

Production credits

Source:
In-game credits
Super League MD credits.pdf
[8]

Source:
Sega TV Game Genga Gallery[9]


Magazine articles

Main article: Super League (Mega Drive)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

MDMSGG MX advert.jpg
MX advert (1992)
MDMSGG MX advert.jpg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #0: "Extra issue of Beep!" (1989-04-27)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in GamePro (US) #11: "June 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
CG GR 3 Mega Drive advert.jpg
Print advert in Computer Games (GR) #3: "Ioúnios 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
CG GR 3 Mega Drive advert.jpg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Visions (US) #1: "June/July 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) NTSC-U
50
[14]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
75
[15]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
60
[16]
Complete Guide to Consoles (UK)
80
[17]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
80
[18]
Console XS (UK) PAL
82
[19]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
86
[20]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
75
[21]
Joystick (FR)
70
[22]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
48
[23]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
73
[24]
MegaTech (UK)
80
[25]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
80
[26]
Play Time (DE)
74
[27]
Raze (UK) PAL
81
[6]
Score (CZ)
71
[28]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
65
[29]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
50
[30]
Sega Pro (UK)
86
[31]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
82
[32]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
62
[33]
Sega Mega Drive
72
Based on
21 reviews

Super League (Mega Drive)

Mega Drive, JP
SuperLeague MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
SuperLeague MD JP CartTop.jpg
SuperLeague MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Super League MD JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
SuperLeague MD US Box.jpg
Cover
TLB MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Tommy Lasorda Baseball MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
SuperLeague MD US pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, US (Sega Classic)
SuperLeague MD US Box Classic.jpg
Cover
TLB MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Tommy Lasorda Baseball MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
SuperLeague MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
SuperLeague MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Super League MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
SuperLeague MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, SE rental (HENT black)
SuperLeague MD SE rental Box back.jpgSuperLeague MD SE rental Box spine.jpgSuperLeague MD SE rental Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU
SuperLeague MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, BR
SuperLeague MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, CA
SuperLeague MD CA cover.jpg
Cover

Mega-Tech version

Mega-Tech,

Technical information

Main article: Super League (Mega Drive)/Technical information.

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32 aa3965db
MD5 1d4e55cb51b89942e12d27f9794122c2
SHA-1 057004754c9bfd8bbbc107a69681ae0977b664de
512kB 1989-05 Cartridge (US) Tommy Lasorda Baseball
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 4fb50304
MD5 9edf4e2024d5bba29748b580930a1ea4
SHA-1 dde1b2465f54f4f6f485c1ba063ff47c5d1baf27
512kB 1989-05 Cartridge (US) Tommy Lasorda Baseball (Rev. A)
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32 55baec6e
MD5 fe966e29f7dda9084261fdfd648c3f50
SHA-1 fefc7abc2f9fbcc7992b1420b62eb3eb3d5ad1bb
512kB 1989-05 Cartridge (EU) Super League
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 ea13cb1d
MD5 731d1675352961fa7254a720432c0bbb
SHA-1 9e975ba4c396617ff9535d51d0929f6d592478fc
512kB 1989-02 Cartridge (JP) Super League
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
1989-04-30 Page

References

  1. File:SuperLeague MD JP Box.jpg
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-20 09:51)
  3. 3.0 3.1 Computer Entertainer, "October 1989" (US; 1989-10-20), page 15
  4. GamePro, "February 1990" (US; 19xx-xx-xx), page 51
  5. Sega Visions, "August/September 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 20
  6. 6.0 6.1 Raze, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-02-28), page 53
  7. Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 21
  8. File:Super League MD credits.pdf
  9. Sega TV Game Genga Gallery, Graphic Sha, page 128
  10. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "July 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 9
  11. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "August 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 7
  12. GamePro, "July 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 61
  13. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "July 1990" (US; 1990-0x-xx), page 59
  14. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 249
  15. Aktueller Software Markt, "Januar 1990" (DE; 1989-1x-xx), page 58
  16. Beep! MegaDrive, "February 1990" (JP; 1990-01-08), page 72
  17. Complete Guide to Consoles, "Volume IV" (UK; 1990-11-xx), page 36
  18. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 49
  19. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 134
  20. Computer & Video Games, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-04-14), page 76
  21. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 1989" (US; 1989-xx-xx), page 13
  22. Joystick, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 115
  23. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 94
  24. Mega Drive Fan, "November 1989" (JP; 1989-10-07), page 49
  25. MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 80
  26. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 142
  27. Play Time, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-06), page 94
  28. Score, "Srpen 1994" (CZ; 1994-08-01), page 58
  29. Sega Power, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-03-07), page 20
  30. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54
  31. Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 30
  32. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
  33. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87


Super League (Mega Drive)

SuperLeague MDTitleScreen.png

Main page | Comparisons | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception | Region coding


Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1989-04-30



Games in the Super League series
Super League (System 16) (1987) | Super League (Mega Drive) (1989) | Clutch Hitter (1991) | Pro Yakyuu Super League '91 (1991) | Sports Talk Baseball (1992) | Pro Yakyuu Super League CD (1992) | Egawa Suguru no Super League CD (1993)