99 Kōshien

Building on the "so-bad-it's-good" legacy of its predecessor, '99 Kōshien arrived as the definitive (and final) entry of the series for the 32-bit era. Developed by Magical Company, it refined the high school baseball simulation mechanics while doubling down on the customization that made the '98 version a cult phenomenon. The game remains a fascinating mix of serious sports management—where you guide a team of students toward Japan's most prestigious baseball tournament—and an absolutely unhinged animation engine that allows for some of the most surreal visuals on the PlayStation.