Once upon a time, sports games were simple. They didn’t require yearly releases or abundant patches to work when playing with others. And they certainly didn’t get hung up on microtransactions, like some games clearly do. And thanks to QUByte Interactive, we get to experience that era again with Accolade Sports Collection.
This compilation features five different titles from the 16-bit era. Two baseball games, Hardball! and Hardball II, lead the pack. Then you have Winter Challenge and Summer Challenge with their various Olympic-style events. Finally, you have Hoops Shut Up and Jam!, which originally had Charles Barkley but is more basic here. (Probably due to licensing reasons, but that’s fine.)
It’s a decent mix, and though the games are much older than you may remember, they’re still fun. The Challenge games in particular have a lot to offer, and Jam, though not as good as NBA Jam, isn’t bad. The Hardball games, however, will likely resonate the most, for those that miss the “classic” version of baseball.
With good emulation and a decent set of options, Accolade Sports Collection isn’t bad. It could’ve used a documentary to go alongside it, along with some modern online options. (Hey, why not? Isn’t there an avid Hardball community out there?) But for $20, it’s not a bad blast from the past.
Accolade Sports Collection Hits Hard – 16 Bit Style, That Is
It’s safe to say that your love for Accolade Sports Collection will lean on your sentimentality from the past. If you don’t recall Hardball as much as, say, R.B.I. Baseball, this may not connect with you that well. But maybe a revisit isn’t the worst thing.
The two Hardball games aren’t bad, with Hardball II obviously being the better title when it comes to gameplay. Both games are fairly easy to grasp, and provide a decent round of baseball. What’s more, you can bring a friend locally and see how well you compete for the virtual pennant. Just don’t expect an in-depth experience from the likes of MLB The Show 25. In-depth, stat-filled chaos, this isn’t. They’re simple games of baseball.
Likewise, Summer Challenge and Winter Challenge are pretty good as well. They offer a diverse amount of activities with each game, from kayaking to skiing. And while some control better than others (I wish I’d stop hitting things), there’s plenty to do here. Plus, you can keep track of record times fairly easily, and always compete for a better one. Again, don’t expect a deep experience, but a plethora of old-school sports goodness.
Finally, there’s Shut Up and Jam, probably the least favorite of the releases here. That’s not because it’s badly emulated, as it plays just as well as the original Barkley did. But it obviously pales in comparison to NBA Jamand its high-flying antics. Still, if it’s a versus round of dunking you’re after, you could play worse than this. White Men Can’t Jump for the Atari Jaguar easily comes to mind.
I do wish more extras were included, such as a documentary that dug into the history of Accolade. Oh, to be a fly on the wall when Hardball! became a thing. Alas, you mainly just rely on the games here. But it’s not a bad package, and for $20, it provides a satisfying whiff of nostalgia. Plus you get manuals. (You know, manuals? Games had those once.)
It’s All About the Games
QUByte Interactive has proven its worth with emulation in the past, with its numerous classic releases. (Which you should look into, by the way.) Accolade Sports Collection continues that streak as best as it can.
Granted, some games do look “aged” here, particularly the original Hardball! You might be wondering where a few of the animation frames are at. But QUByte did a great job emulating the classics here, warts and all. You can also tinker with things to get the best picture you can as well. (MS-DOS? Remember that?)
As for sound, well, it’s 16-bit. If you can accept that, you’re in good hands. All the games sound just like their original efforts. And despite some missing memorable music (that Shut Up and Jam soundtrack is…well, it just is), they’re authentic. Maybe crank your own 90s tunes in the background. The Ninja Turtles movie soundtrack, perhaps?
Overall, it’s about spot on with what we’ve played in the past. For some fans, that’s more than enough.
Not a Home Run, But Far From a Loss
How you walk into Accolade Sports Collection will depend on your love for the original games. If you’ve forgotten the 16-bit sports era in favor of modern releases, you might be turned off here. However, if you’re open to rediscovering retro goodness, this is a pretty good package. All five titles have something to offer (yes, even Shut Up and Jam), and they’re produced fairly well. It is a little bare-bones, but not badly priced for a mere $20 spot.
I enjoyed seeing this chapter of Accolade history again. And we’re not done yet, as a new Bubsy compilation is just around the corner. Yes, I want to play it. I’m not crazy. I’m not.
GAMERHUB RATING: 3.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to QUByte Interactive for providing us a review code! Accolade Sports Collection is available now for Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation and PC!
Want to read more about sports in video games? Check out our editorial Gaming and Football: The Ultimate Crossover!
