Hakunetsu Pro Yakyuu '94 - Ganba League 3

This is a prototype of Ganba League 3, a baseball game that was exclusively released in Japan. Thanks to Matthew Callis for releasing this ROM image. By: Evan G Last updated: September 14, 2012

This is another prototype that originated from Yahoo Japan auctions, selling for 3500 yen. The main gameplay looks to be pretty much finished in the prototype, but the menus have some English in them, and some of the main menu options are not finished.

First thing you notice when you start the game off is that the prototype does not have a demo mode if you don't press any buttons. The initial options select screen has a different coloured background in the prototype, and it also lacks that mascot ball-head guy on the top right. The "Mode Select" text is given a gold colour in the final version.

Prototype	Final

Selecting exposition game, you get the select these teams. For whatever reason, the prototype has some teams with a winning percentage already.

Prototype	Final

In the prototype, the game options menu is in Japanese, while in the final version, it is in English (note that the words are exactly the same). Note that beside the "COM Level", instead of having a smiley, it just states the condition of the team (in this case ノーマル - normal) The final version also puts a box around the options menu.

Prototype	Final

All of the stadiums have different specs. All of them have different names, except for Ganba Dome (ガンバドーム). The hat of the ball-mascot guy is different.

Prototype	Final

Prototype	Final

Prototype	Final

The pitcher select screen uses ERA-W-L-S to denote stats, while the final version uses kanji icons. In the final version, the word "Farm" is replaced with katakana "ファーム". The lineups have different names as well. The "Pitcher Select" text is white in the prototype, and orange in the final version.

Prototype	Final

Similar changes are made to the batting order menu. The English words in the prototype are converted to katakana in the final version.

Prototype	Final

The gameplay looks pretty much the same between the prototype and the final version. In fact, it doesn't look like it has really changed since its spiritual predecessor on the NES, RBI Baseball. In these side by side shots, the only difference is that the crowd is a darker shade of red in the final version.

Prototype	Final

Prototype	Final

Like the initial pitcher selection menu, the menu that comes up if you have to bring in a closer has menu items converted to Japanese characters.

Prototype	Final

Onto the other options. If you select pennant race (top right option on the main menu), you see another case of the the prototype having English words rather than Japanese.

Prototype	Final

The report after selecting your team for the pennant race is far more elaborate in the final version. The reporter has much more to say, and there is a graphic for the team manager.

Prototype	Final

The statistics options screen again shows a conversion from English to Japanese. The final version also says "Pennant" on top. The team logos are greyed out in the prototype, for some reason.

Prototype	Final

Next up, the all-star game (second from the top on the left side of the main menu). The Pacific and Central logos are somewhat different between the prototype and final.

Prototype	Final

Clearly both teams are not supposed to be green. This was fixed in the final version.

Prototype	Final

The "league" option (second from top on the right side of the options menu) is completely broken in the prototype. Basically, it cuts to you winning the league. The statistics are a glitchy mess.

Prototype	Prototype

Prototype	Prototype

The home run derby option (third from the top on the left side of the main options menu) is also not completely programmed yet. The menus are organized differently. Perhaps the worst part in the prototype is that the batter swings uncontrollably, and you can only control the batter's position.

Prototype	Final

Prototype	Final

The practice option (third from the top on the right side of the main options menu) is not well formed in this prototype. Basically, it only allows you to bunt! The final version also has the wind speed indicator in the top right corner.

Prototype	Final

Prototype	Final

The team edit menu is a bit different in the prototype. Again, it is a change from English to Japanese characters.

Prototype	Final

The final menu option - set up. There are far more options in the prototype, probably for debugging. If you adjust the settings with "G-S-B-V" beside them, you have a full-fledged sound test. The "B" options cycle through the background music, "S" is sound effects. The "V" option brings up some person saying something, but I am unsure what it does. I am not sure what the "G" option does, but if you change it, it temporarily freezes the game.

Prototype	Final

PCB from the Yahoo Japan auction

Download the ROM image here.