R.B.I. Baseball 19

 Switch
Metascore
51

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 3 out of 6
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  1. TheSixthAxis
    Apr 15, 2019
    40
    The lack of depth in RBI 19's basic mechanics has a crippling effect on the whole experience, first as frustration when trying to get used to timing-based batting, then with boredom after you're familiar. On top of that, it's an arcade baseball game that's presented like a sim, but without the depth to back that up or a hook to set it apart from actual sim games, it just feels barren and empty.
  2. Screen Rant
    Mar 8, 2019
    40
    On Nintendo Switch it's particularly welcome as baseball games are made for handheld gaming. Still, R.B.I. Baseball 19 should and needs to be much, much better even for a budget baseball title.
  3. NintendoWorldReport
    Mar 11, 2019
    30
    It’s a tragedy that the only MLB-licensed baseball game exists as a Sony exclusive. If you’re seeking a good video game where you can play as the Yankees or the Dodgers, get a PlayStation 4 or go dig up a copy of MVP Baseball 2005, a 15-year-old game that still runs circles around R.B.I. Baseball 19. I’m sure there’s some fan community updating the rosters for MVP Baseball on PC or something. Go play that. Don’t take yourself out to this ballgame. Don’t take yourself out with this crowd. For unenjoyable baseball video games, maybe it should be one, two, three strikes, you’re out. I don’t care if it ever gets back.

User Reviews

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User Score
4.6

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 9
  3. Negative: 4 out of 9
  1. topher_csr
    Apr 5, 2019
    7
    If you are buying RBI Baseball you should know what you are getting before you download it. You are not getting a super polished hyperIf you are buying RBI Baseball you should know what you are getting before you download it. You are not getting a super polished hyper realistic baseball sim.You are getting the new iteration of a classic baseball arcade game. RBI Baseball 19 scratches your itch for a baseball on Switch and Xbox One that no other available game can, and if you have a PS4, can be a lighter alternative to MLB The Show that is obviously the leader in the slim class. It does a lot of things well, like the clean simple menus, fully updated rosters and adequate game modes. I am not usually left wanting for features when i play this game. The actual gameplay is fine to me as well. there are somethings that take some getting used to, like how you move the batter and pitcher around. there are no animations for adjusting your players position on the mound or in the batters box, instead moving them around just like you would in the NES/SNES version. i loved the nod to the classic games. the same nostalgia pang was present when i hit my first pop fly and the old school sound effect played for the fly ball. Overall the game play is consistent and satisfying.

    There are a lot of opportunities that RBI Baseball has for its devs to work on for next year. Pitching seems really underdeveloped, not popping up the traditional pitch type selection menu, instead letting you hold up for a slow/junk ball pitch, or down for a fast ball. you control left to right positioning/movement with the same stick. I never feel like i have a huge impact on the pitching of the game. Hitting can be frustrating as well. At first you feel like you have to swing way early to connect, but once you get the timing down, and figure out to hit up or down to affect the power of your hit it gets easier and more fun. The only other complaint i have is the lack of commentary in the game. the only noise is ballpark sounds. so crowd noise, umps and PA announcer. While game commentators always get old, you get used to it being there and it feels oddly dead without it. having music playing in the background would have been a nice option to break up the dead air. There also is the occasional hitch when swinging or fielding, but they are few and far between.

    Overall this game is worth the $30 price tag and something i would recommend if you are looking for a baseball game fix! Hope they continue to improve the series.    … Full Review »
  2. 192914
    Jun 2, 2021
    0
    This game blows chunks. Its a shame MLB the Show is not on Xbox and Nintendo consoles. Instead, for those who don't own a PS4, we have toThis game blows chunks. Its a shame MLB the Show is not on Xbox and Nintendo consoles. Instead, for those who don't own a PS4, we have to settle for this abomination of a baseball game. To put into perspective how shallow this game is, this game has a 10-year dynasty mode. MVP Baseball 2005 has a 120-year dynasty mode that is insanely deep. Keep in mind that RBI baseball runs on a Nintendo switch and an Xbox One, while MVP baseball ran on the hardware of a PS2, original Xbox, and Nintendo GameCube. Wow, now that is just sad. Avoid this game at all costs.… Full Review »
  3. taoakes
    Aug 4, 2019
    0
    This game is horrible from mechanics to stability. Unless you put on fielding assist good luck on consistently fielding hits. The game picks aThis game is horrible from mechanics to stability. Unless you put on fielding assist good luck on consistently fielding hits. The game picks a random player for you to control. Batting is just crappy. You hit the baseball right up the middle and every pitcher seems to be a golden glove winner by either catching the ball or worse case scenario blocking the hit and immediately fielding it and tossing it to first for the out. The fielders are also 2-3 times faster than the base runners, so even with perfectly hit infield hits you will always be out. Oh and you have to love trying to bunt in a runner and watching your the runner on third base just stand there. Stealing bases needs to be redone for the next game too. Hoe about adding a feature of being able to take leads to make the game a bit more interesting instead of solely basing it off or speed rating. No leads so no need to throw the ball to first to keep the runner in-check. The runner either has the speed rating to make it or he doesn’t. Now lets talk about stability. On the company’s twitter account they acknowledge the problem the game has with freezing. How about instead of only acknowledging the instability you fix the problem? So much fun how my game continues to freeze in the middle of the first even when I restart the game during franchise mode. I think that I played better baseball games on the original Nintendo Entertainment System, so I wouldn’t wish this game upon even to my worse enemies. Of course I suppose we could end the war in Afghanistan by sending Nintendo Switches and a copy of R.B.I. Baseball 19 to the Taliban and having them give up just from the sheer frustration of trying to play this game.… Full Review »
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