Play I Love Softball (Japan) Online

I Love Softball was a Japan only release on the NES, published by Irem. It arrived during a time when the console was flooded with sports titles, many of which were simple, repetitive affairs trying to capitalize on the genre's popularity.

You control a team of players, taking turns at bat and in the field. The main objective is to outscore the computer opponent by hitting home runs and making defensive plays. Signature mechanics include timing your swing with a moving cursor for power and aiming your pitches to try and fool the batter. The pacing is deliberate, almost sluggish, especially when chasing down fly balls in the outfield, and the difficulty can feel unforgiving due to the imprecise controls. It feels like a genuine, if slightly clumsy, attempt to capture the rhythm of a ball game.