Ballz
A 1994 fighting game with sphere-based characters.
Ballz 3D is a 1994 fighting game developed by PF.Magic and published by Accolade for the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System, with a 3DO director's cut released in 1995. Its distinguishing feature was that each character was composed entirely of spheres, creating a pseudo-3D appearance. Though not a major commercial success, the game was generally well-received by critics and its graphics technology was later reused in PF.Magic's Petz line of virtual pet titles.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Ballz 3D
- Developer
- PF.Magic
- Publisher
- NA/EU · Accolade, Inc. · JP · Media Rings
- Platforms
- Genesis/Mega Drive, Super NES, 3DO
- Released
- Genesis/Mega DriveEU · September 23, 1994 · NA · October 5, 1994 Super NESNA · November 18, 1994 · JP · April 28, 1995 3DONA · 1995
- Genre
- Fighting
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The idea to use spheres for characters was proposed by lead programmer Keith Kirby. The development team implemented it because it saved processor power, characters looked the same from any camera angle, and spheres were easy to represent in code. The Genesis version was originally intended for use with the Edge 16 modem system, which was eventually cancelled. The game's opening stated 'To be the champion, you gotta have Ballz!', but Nintendo demanded the wording be changed for the SNES version due to its double-entendre; the SNES version reads '...you gotta play Ballz'.
Reader's Guide
Ballz 3D offered three difficulty levels over 21 matches. Its roster included a clown, bodybuilder, rhinoceros, ballerina, caveman, sumo wrestler, superhero, and a farting monkey, with a zombie added in the Director's Cut. Bosses included an ostrich, kangaroo, dinosaur, genie, and a final boss called The Jester. Reception varied by platform: Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Genesis version a 6.2/10 average, while GamePro praised the Genesis version but criticized the SNES version for slowdown and control issues. The 3DO version received highly positive reviews from GamePro, but Next Generation rated it two stars out of five, calling it 'a game out of time'. In 2011, Game Informer ranked Ballz seventh on a list of 'Top Ten Fighting Games We'd Like to Forget'.
Did You Know?
- Nintendo demanded the opening line be changed for the SNES version due to its double-entendre; the SNES version states '...you gotta play Ballz' instead of the original 'To be the champion, you gotta have Ballz!'.
- The Director's Cut for the 3DO added a new character, Zombie, who stalks and slashes at enemies.
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