Super World Stadium '97/Gameplay

At bat

 * Joystick: While waiting for the pitch use the 8-way joystick to position your batter inside the batting box. (All thirteen teams have a different batter).
 * First Button: Press and hold this button to swing your bat. If you do not hold this down long enough you may bunt the ball instead of swinging at it.
 * Second Button: Press this button to initiate stealing a base. You must first push the joystick in the direction of the base you would like to steal. For example, if you have a runner upon the first base and would like to steal the second, first push the joystick to the left, then press the second button.

Pitching

 * Joystick: Before the pitch is thrown, you must push the joystick to the left or right, to move the pitcher from one side of the pitch mound to the other.
 * First Button: Before you press this button, you must push the joystick, to determine the speed of the ball. Push it up to throw a slow ball, or down to throw a fast ball. Pushing it in any other direction or not pushing it at all will result in a normal speed pitch. Throwing many fast balls or slow balls will wear a pitcher out faster. Once the ball is thrown, you must push the joystick to the left or right to control the path of the ball on the way to the batter.
 * Second Button: Once a runner is on a base, press this button to switch from the batter/mound view to the infield view where you can attempt to tag out runners who are stealing bases. Pressing it again will switch from the aforementioned infield view back to the aforementioned batter/mound view.

Running bases

 * First Button: Runners will automatically move to the next base, once a ball lands on the ground. Press this button to request that a runner continues running, or that he run before the ball has landed. You must first push the joystick in the direction of the base you would like to reach. For example, if you have a runner headed on to the first base and would like to run all the way on to the second, first push the joystick up, then press the first button.
 * Second Button: As mentioned above, runners automatically move to the next base, unless it is a fly ball, in which case they wait to see if it is safe to run. You may decide that you do not want to wait and send a player ahead. But if it turns out that the ball was caught, you'll need to send him back to the base before he is tagged out. If you were heading on to second base when the ball was caught you will have to send the runner back to first base by pushing the joystick to the right, and then pressing the second button. (If he does not manage to make it back there in time, he will be tagged out).

In the field

 * Joystick: Before the ball is caught by any player you must use the joystick to determine the general directions that the players are running in. Given that is no one outfielder that you will be in control of at any time in this game, all of them will move in the direction that you are holding the joystick in.
 * First Button: Once the ball is in one of your players' hands, push the joystick in the direction that corresponds to the base you would like to throw to, and press the button. If you do not push the joystick in any direction, the ball will automatically be thrown to first base (like you meant to throw there).
 * Second Button: Once the ball is in one of your players' hands, you can run on to any base, by pushing the joystick in the direction that corresponds to the base you would like to run to, and pressing the button. Now that you've learned these important playing techniques it's time to meet the teams (twelve of these teams are, yet again, returning favourites from the five previous titles, but the remaining team was created specifically for SWS '96).

Top row
Orix Blue Wave (オリックスブルーウェーブ, lit. Orikkusu Burūwēbu) - - 1: Taguchi (田口, LF, AVR: .290, HR: 7), 2: Ōshima (大島, 2B, AVR: .243 and HR: 1), 3: Ichirō (イチロー, RF, AVR: .351, HR: 12), 4: Nīru (ニール, 1B, AVR .271, HR 20), 5: Doneruzu (ドネルズ, 3B, AVR .299 and HR 11), 6: Ogawa (小川, SS, AVR .228, HR 10), 7: Tani (谷, CF, AVR .278, HR 1), 8: Miwa (三輪, C, AVR .208, HR 1), 9: Hoshino (星野, Hidari, AVR .150, HR 0 and ERA 3.03), Noda (野田, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0 and ERA 2.68), Hirai (平井, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 2.93), Itō (伊藤, Migi, AVR: .150, HR: 0, ERA 3.32), Furēzā (フレーザー, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 4.89). This team was founded in 1936 and is still managed by Ōgi (仰木).

Nippon-Ham Fighters (日本ハムファイターズ, literally Nihon-Hamu Faitāzu) - 1: Ide (井出, CF, AVR: .291, HR 5), 2: Kaneko (金子, 2B, AVR .282, HR 6), 3: Kataoka (片岡, 3B, AVR .300, HR 15), 4: Ochiai (落合, 1B, AVR .268, HR 3), 5: Tanaka (田中, SS, AVR .268, HR 16), 6: Wiruson (ウィルソン, RF, AVR: .272, HR: 29), 7: Burukkusu (ブルックス, LF, AVR .270, HR 12), 8: Taguchi (田口, C, AVR .190, HR 3, shares name with the Orix Blue Wave's No. 1), 9: Gurosu (グロス, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.11), Sekine (関根, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 4.28), Nishizaki (西崎, Migi, AVR: .150, HR 0, ERA 3.12), Iwamoto (岩本, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 5.33), Numata (沼田, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 0.69). This team was founded in 1946 and is still managed by Ueda (上田); the new No. 2 also shares his name with that of a lesser-known game-developing company).

Seibu Lions (西武ライオンズ, literally Seibu Raionzu) - 1: Matsui (松井, SS, AVR .317, HR 6), 2: Ōtomo (大友, CF, AVR .280, HR 3), 3: Sasaki (佐々木, RF, AVR .293, HR 9), 4: Suzukiken (鈴木健, 3B, AVR .303, HR 10), 5: Marutinesu (マルティネス, 1B, AVR .292, HR 19), 6: Itō (伊東, C, AVR: .282, HR: 10, shares romanized name with that of the Orix Blue Wave's fourth pitcher), 7: Kakiuchi (垣内, LF, AVR .217, HR 3), 8: Takagihiroshi (高木浩, 2B, AVR: .286, HR 0), 9: Nishiguchi (西口, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.30), Shiozaki (潮崎, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.27), Toyota (豊田, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 2.81), Ishījō (石井丈, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 4.04), Gibunsu (ギブンス, Hidari, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 5.25). This team was founded in 1950, and is still managed by Higashio (東尾); their new third pitcher also shares his name with a car-manufacturing company.

Kintetsu Buffaloes (近鉄バファローズ literally Kintetsu Bafarōzu) - 1: Ōmura (大村, CF, AVR .299 and HR 1), 2: Mizuguchi (水口, 2B, AVR: .276 and HR 5), 3: Rōzu (ローズ, RF, AVR .325, HR 18), 4: Kurāku (クラーク, 1B, AVR .310, HR 16), 5: Nakamura (中村, 3B, AVR .243, HR 16), 6: Suzuki (鈴木, LF, AVR .252, HR 7), 7: Matoyama (的山, C, AVR .179, HR 3), 8: Mutō (武藤, SS, AVR .282, HR 0), 9: Koike (小池, Hidari, AVR .150, HR 0 and ERA 3.94), Kōda (香田, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.64), Ishige (石毛, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 4.19), Takamura (高村, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 4.98), Okamoto (岡本, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.28). This now-defunct team was founded in 1949, and is still managed by Sasaki (佐々木); they also have a new mascot (an anthropomorphic buffalo named "Buffy") meaning that "Baffalead" has been retired after 48 years.

Chiba Lotte Marines (千葉ロッテマーリンズ, literally Chiba Rotte Marīnzu) - 1: Hori (堀, 2B, AVR .293 and HR 5), 2: Kosaka (小坂, SS, AVR: .275, HR: 1), 3: Tachikawa (立川, CF, AVR .302, HR 6), 4: Kyarion (キャリオン, RF, AVR .263, HR 13), 5: Tonpuson (トンプソン, LF, AVR: .138, HR: 12), 6: Hatsushiba (初芝, 3B, AVR: .213, HR 7), 7: Fukūra (福浦, 1B, AVR .275, HR 2), 8: Shimizu (清水, C, AVR .174, HR 1), 9: Komiyama (小宮山, Migi, AVR: .150, HR 0, ERA 2.47), Kuroki (黒木, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.49), Yabuta (薮田, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 4.31), Sonokawa (園川, Hidari, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 4.85), Mutō (武藤, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 4.01, shares his name with the Kintetsu Buffaloes' No. 8). This team was also founded in 1950, and is now managed by Kondō (近藤); the mascot "Mar-kun" has also undergone a transformation since SWS '96.

Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (福岡ダイエイホークス, lit. Fukuoka Daiei Hōkusu) - 1: Akiyama (秋山, CF, AVR: .246, HR 9), 2: Muramatsu (村松, LF, AVR .233, HR 0), 3: Daidō (大道, RF, AVR .283, HR 4), 4: Kokubo (小久保, 2B, AVR .285, HR 27), 5: Yoshinaga (吉永, 1B, AVR: .309, HR: 26), 6: Jōjima (城島, C, AVR .331, HR 13), 7: Iguchi (井口, SS, AVR .206, HR 4), 8: Yugamidani (湯上谷, 3B, AVR .302, HR 4), 9: Kudō (工藤, Hidari, AVR: .150, HR: 0 and ERA: 2.67), Takeda (武田, Migi, AVR: .150, HR 0, ERA 4.08), Wakatabe (若田部, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 5.56), Uesuto (ウエスト, Hidari, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 6.38), Yoshitake (吉武, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.73). Founded in 1938, and still managed by Ō (王).

Centre row
Yomiuri Giants (読売ジャイアンツ, lit. Yomiuri Jaiantsu) - 1: Shimizu (清水, LF, AVR .316, HR 7, shares name with the Chiba Lotte Marines' No. 8), 2: Hitoshi (仁志, 2B, AVR .231 and HR 8), 3: Matsui (松井, CF, AVR .313, HR 30), 4: Ishī (石井, 3B, AVR .333, HR 2), 5: Kiyohara (清原, 1B, AVR: .239 and HR: 20), 6: Hirosawa (広沢, RF, AVR .255 and HR 15), 7: Motoki (元木, SS, AVR .294 and HR 5), 8: Yanagisawa (柳沢, C, AVR: .247 and HR: 0), 9: Saitōmasa (斎藤雅, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.51), Makihara (槙原, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.65), Okajima (岡島, Hidari, AVR: .150, HR: 0, ERA 3.73), Garubesu (ガルベス, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 37.06), Kuwata (桑田, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.45). Founded in 1934 and still managed by Nagashima (長嶋); they're also, for a 5th and final NB1-era time, keeping the name of the old 1988-1991 Giants team alive.

Chūnichi Dragons (中日ドラゴンズ, literally Chūnichi Doragonzu) - 1: Kuwata (益田, CF, AVR .283, HR 1, shares romanized name with the Yomiuri Giants' sixth pitcher), 2: Yano (矢野, RF, AVR: .255, HR 2), 3: Tatsunami (立浪, 2B, AVR .276, HR 11), 4: Gomesu (ゴメス, 2B, AVR: .309, HR 22), 5: Yamazaki (山崎, LF, AVR .265, HR 17), 6: Paueru (パウエル, 1B, AVR .256, HR 14), 7: Torigoe (鳥越, SS, AVR .201, HR 1), 8: Nakamura (中村, C, AVR: .256, HR: 8, shares name with the Kintetsu Buffaloes' No. 5), 9: Yamamotomasa (山本昌, Hidari, AVR: .150, HR 0, ERA 2.72), Maeda (前田, Hidari, AVR: .150, HR: 0, ERA: 5.28), Furuike (古池, Migi, AVR: .150, HR 0, ERA 5.38), Imachū (今中, Hidari, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 4.91), Kadokura (門倉, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 4.22). As with the Blue Wave, this team was founded in 1936 and is still managed by Hoshino (星野).

Hiroshima Tōyō Carp (広島東洋カープ, lit. Hiroshima Tōyō Kāpu) - 1: Nomura (野村, SS, AVR .285 and HR 12), 2: Ogata (緒方, LF, AVR: .271, HR: 15), 3: Maeda (前田, CF, AVR: .336, HR 13, shares name with the Chūnichi Dragons' second pitcher), 4: Etō (江藤, 3B, AVR: .257 and HR: 17), 5: Kanemoto (金本, RF, AVR .310, HR 25), 6: Ropesu (ロペス, 1B, AVR .312, HR 21), 7: Machida (町田, 2B, AVR .254, HR 10), 8: Nishiyama (西山, C, AVR: .218, HR 5), 9: Sawasaki (沢崎, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.57), Yamauchi (山内, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 5.08), Tanaka (田中, Hidari, AVR: .150, HR 0 and ERA 5.84), Kuroda (黒田, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.81), Ōno (大野, Hidari, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.15). Once again, this team was founded in 1950 and is still managed by Mimura (三村); the old team mascot, "Slyly", is also still a blue dragon-like creature.

Yakult Swallows (ヤクルトスワローズ, lit. Yakuruto Suwarōzu) - 1: Īda (飯田, CF, AVR .308, HR 3), 2: Inaba (稲葉, RF, AVR: .275 and HR 19), 3: Hōjī (ホージー, LF, AVR .309 and HR 28), 4: Furuta (古田, C, AVR .333, HR 6), 5: Dobashi (土橋, 2B, AVR .303, HR 6), 6: Kobayakawa (小早川, 1B, AVR: .229, HR 8), 7: Ikeyama (池山, 3B, AVR .257, HR 15), 8: Miyamoto (宮本, SS, AVR .276, HR 0), 9: Burosu (ブロス, Migi, AVR: .150, HR: 0 and ERA 4.84), Tahata (田畑, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 2.78), Yoshī (吉井, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.25), Kawasaki (川崎, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 4.21), Ishīhajime (石井一, Hidari, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 2.01). Team was founded in 1950 and is still managed by Nomura (野村).

Yokohama Baystars (横浜ベイスターズ, lit. Yokohama Beisutāzu) - 1: Ishītaku (石井琢, SS, AVR: .317, HR 9), 2: Haru (波留, CF, AVR: .310, HR 8), 3: Suzukihisa (鈴木尚, LF, AVR .356, HR 18), 4: Rōzu (ローズ, 2B, AVR .338, HR 15, shares name with the Kintetsu Buffaloes' No. 3) 5: Komada (駒田, 1B, AVR .314, HR 7), 6: Saeki (佐伯, RF, AVR .227, HR 4), 7: Shindō (進藤, 3B, AVR .254, HR 10), 8: Tanishige (谷繁, C, AVR: .230, HR: 12), 9: Kawamura (川村, Migi, AVR: .150, HR 0, ERA 3.91), Nomura (野村, Hidari, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 4.48, shares name with the Hiroshima Tōyō Carp's No. 1), Miura (三浦, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0 and ERA 3.82), Toganō (戸叶, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 4.84), Fukumori (福盛, Migi, AVR: .150, HR: 0, ERA 2.62). Formerly known as the "Yokohama Taiyo Whales" from 1978-92, founded in 1950 and still managed by Ōya (大矢).

Hanshin Tigers (阪神タイガース, literally Hanshin Taigāsu) - 1: Wada (和田, 2B, AVR .313 and HR 2), 2: Kuji (久慈, SS, AVR .244 and HR 2), 3: Kōruzu (コールズ, 3B, AVR .249, HR 4), 4: Hiyama (桧山, RF, AVR .224, HR 18), 5: Hiratsuka (平塚, 1B, AVR .304, HR 13), 6: Shinjō (新庄, CF, AVR .238, HR 15) 7: Sekikawa (関川, LF, AVR .341, HR 5) 8: Yamada (山田, C, AVR .258, HR 2) 9: Yabu (藪, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 4.09) Yubune (湯舟, Hidari, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.76) Kawajiri (川尻, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 4.59), Nakagome (中込, Migi, AVR .150, HR: 0 and ERA: 4.39), Takeuchi (竹内, Migi, AVR: .150, HR: 0 and ERA: 3.14). This team was founded in 1935 and is now managed by Yoshida (吉田).

Bottom row
USA (ユーエスエイ, lit. Yūesuei) - 1: Kansasushitī (カンサスシティー, CF, AVR: .319, HR 15), 2: Shikago (シカゴ, 2B, AVR .333, HR 11), 3: Montoriōru (モントリオール, LF, AVR .302, HR 30), 4: Kurīburando (クリーブランド, 3B, AVR .319, HR 50), 5: Hyūsuton (ヒューストン, 1B, AVR: .310, HR: 39), 6: Rosanzerusu (ロサンゼルス, RF, AVR: .340, HR: 40), 7: Furorida (フロリダ, SS, AVR .314, HR 15), 8: N.Y (N・Y, C, AVR .326, HR 16), 9: Yamato (ヤマト, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 1.56, shares name with a Sega game from 1983), Minesota (ミネソタ, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 3.27), Kororado (コロラド, Migi, AVR: .150, HR: 0 and ERA: 2.94), Ōkurando (オークランド, Hidari, AVR .150, HR 0 and ERA 2.65), Toronto (トロント, Migi, AVR .150, HR 0, ERA 2.74). As mentioned earlier, the team is entirely fictitious and was created specifically for Super World Stadium '96 (along with the Sixties, Seventies, Eighties, and Nineties who have not returned for this one); their lineup is still the same, and their No. 8 also still has an English name. The other fictitious teams of the Sixties, Seventies, Eighties and Nineties, who were also created specifically for SWS '96, have not returned for this one.