HardBall! Genesis box art

Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Sports

HardBall!

Deep cut

SystemSega Genesis / Mega Drive
Released1991 (originally 1985)
GenreSports
DeveloperBallistic
PublisherAccolade
Players1–2 players
CommitmentQuick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
LegacyDeep cut · legacy score 2

Released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1991, HardBall! is a sports game developed by Ballistic and published by Accolade. This Genesis release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1985.

It landed about 2 years into the Genesis's life. Other notable Genesis releases from 1991 include Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage and Shining in the Darkness.

Ballistic also made Onslaught for the Genesis.

HardBall! supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to race and compete
  • you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
  • you have a friend to play against
  • you've played the Genesis hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you need current teams and rosters

What playing HardBall! is like

Sports games bring football, baseball, hockey, golf, tennis, wrestling and more to the console, from simulation-style management to over-the-top arcade action.

Tip for newcomers: Arcade-style sports games are the easiest to enjoy today; simulation titles may have outdated rosters but still offer satisfying gameplay.

HardBall! gameplay screenshot on Genesis
In-game screenshot (Genesis)

HardBall! cheats & codes

4 codes on file (Action Replay). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:

Balls ModifierFFFF25:XX
Strikes ModifierFFFF27:XX
Outs ModifierFFFF29:XX
Batter Stance ModifierFFFF21:XX

See all HardBall! cheats

HardBall! walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for HardBall!.

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Playing Genesis games today

Genesis games are fast and immediate, and many are made for two players. Official collections and Nintendo Switch Online carry a big slice of the library, and Rec0m88 can run your own Genesis backups with online netplay.

HardBall! FAQ

When did HardBall! come out on the Genesis?

HardBall! was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1991; the original game dates back to 1985.

Who made HardBall!?

It was developed by Ballistic and published by Accolade.

Is HardBall! multiplayer?

Yes. HardBall! supports up to 2 players.

How long does HardBall! take to play?

As a sports game, HardBall! typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about HardBall! on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you