''BattleSport'' is a 1996 futuristic sports video game developed by Cyclone Studios. It was originally published by Studio 3DO (the software division of The 3DO Company) exclusively for their

3DO Interactive Multiplayer The 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, also referred to as simply 3DO, is a home video game console developed by The 3DO Company. Conceived by entrepreneur and Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, the 3DO was not a console manufactured by the company ...

in 1996, but after the 3DO was discontinued ''BattleSport'' was published for other systems by Acclaim Entertainment. It was released for Windows and

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, and Windows in North America in July 1997, and in Europe on August 1, 1997.BattleSport for PlayStation
GameSpot. Retrieved on July 1, 2009.

Development

Director Evan Margolin summarized the making of the game: Near the end of 1996, Studio 3DO stated that a version of ''BattleSport'' for the Panasonic M2 was in development.

Reception

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'' gave the 3DO version a recommendation. While they said the game is harder than it should be due to slippery controls and an overabundance of powerups to flip through, they felt the strong graphics, audio, and fast-paced gameplay "make this a game worth playing." A reviewer for ''

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'' gave the game an even stronger recommendation, praising the unique gameplay concept, exceptionally good polygon graphics by 3DO standards, huge variety of power-up items, and consistently smooth frame rate even in the multiplayer mode, which he was especially enthusiastic about: "As with any split-screen, having your view so vertically limited is distracting, but the sheer fun and excitement of competing in this game against another human player is incredible." Though the 3DO version failed to reach a mass audience, it sold well enough to turn a profit. The game was less well-received when it appeared on the PlayStation, with critics praising the huge number of arenas and options but railing against the unnecessarily frustrating handling of the vehicles. Dan Hsu elaborated in '' Electronic Gaming Monthly'', "It's difficult to catch the ball at any time, unless it's sitting still, or you and it are heading toward each other in a straight line." Commenting on the game's arcade-style simplicity, having little variety or long-term objectives to keep the player engaged, Jeff Kitts stated in '' GameSpot'', "the fact is that there's just no need for a game like this on the PlayStation in 1997."Kitts, Jeff (July 29, 1997)
BattleSport Review for PlayStation
GameSpot. Retrieved on July 1, 2009.

Sequel

A sequel, ''BattleSport II'', was planned for the Nintendo 64, Panasonic M2 and PlayStation, but never released.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Battlesport 1996 video games Cancelled Panasonic M2 games Sega Saturn games PlayStation (console) games 3DO Interactive Multiplayer games Multiplayer and single-player video games Video games developed in the United States Windows games Cyclone Studios games