Power Pros — BrandWiki

Power Pros

title	Power Pros
platforms	Android Arcade BlackBerry Dreamcast Game Boy iOS Windows Nintendo 3DS Nintendo 64 Nintendo DS GameCube Switch PlayStation PlayStation 2 PlayStation 3 PlayStation 4 PlayStation Portable Vita Saturn Super Famicom Wii
developer	Power Pros Production Joymoa
publisher	JP: Konami NA: 2K
genre	Sports (baseball)
spinoffs	Professional Baseball Spirits Power Pro Kun Pocket Jikkyō Powerful Soccer Powerful Golf
creator	Isao Akada Naoki Nishikawa Kōji Toyohara
artist

Powerful Pro Baseball, previously known as Jikkyō Powerful Pro Baseball, and eBASEBALL Powerful Pro Baseball, known in Japan as Pawapuro (パワプロ) and marketed internationally as Power Pros, is a Japanese baseball video game series created by Konami. It is known for its Chibi-syled characters and fast-paced, yet deep, gameplay.[2] Most games in the series are developed under license from Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and the Japan Professional Baseball Players Association (JPBPA), allowing the use of team names, stadiums, colors, and players' names and likenesses. Six games in the series also feature licenses from Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), two from the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and Korea Professional Baseball Players Association (KPBPA), and two from the World Baseball Classic.

The series began in 1994 on the Super Famicom and has since appeared on many platforms: Sega Saturn (1995–1997), PlayStation (1994–2003), Nintendo 64 (1997–2001), PlayStation 2 (2000–2009), Dreamcast (2000), GameCube (2002–2006), Wii (2007–2009), PlayStation 3 (2010–2016), PlayStation 4

first release version	Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū '94

first release date	March 11, 1994

latest release version	Powerful Pro Baseball 2024 - 2025

latest release date	July 18, 2024

Games in the series

This is the major system development in the main series (as well as information about the season series and MLB Power Pros series). Some minor developments, such as player abilities, are not included.

Pawapuro '94

Released on February 24, 1994, for the Super Famicom, the game is licensed by Nippon Professional Baseball and the Japanese Professional Baseball Players Association, though Meiji Jingu Stadium and Hanshin Koshien Stadium are listed under fictional names. Success mode is not included in the first two installments. Commentary is provided by Asahi Broadcasting Corporation radio commentator Abe Noriyuki.

Pawapuro 2

Released on February 24, 1995, for the Super Famicom, this is the first game in the series to feature a full Pennant mode and save game functionality.[10] Hanshin Koshien Stadium is fully licensed, but Meiji Jingu Stadium remains under a fictional name. Commentary is provided by Asahi Broadcasting Corporation radio commentator Motoharu Ōta.

Pawapuro 3

Released on February 29, 1996, for the Super Famicom. Success mode, which later becomes a core feature of the Power Pros series, is introduced in this game.[11] Commentary is again provided by Abe Noriyuki, who remained in this role until Power Pros 8.

Pawapuro 4

Released on March 14, 1997, for the Nintendo 64. With the hardware upgrade, the game's graphics (polygon-based stadiums) and controls saw significant improvements. Success mode introduces original characters, some of whom continue to appear in later installments.

Pawapuro 5

Released on March 26, 1998, for the Nintendo 64, it became the best-selling game for the Nintendo 64 in Japan during that month.[12]

Pawapuro 6

Also known as Jikkyō Powerful Pro Yakyū 6, it was released on March 25, 1999, for the Nintendo 64.

Pawapuro 7

The first game in the series released on the PlayStation 2, and the first with fully polygon-based graphics. IGN found the game fun but criticized its "horrible" graphics and lack of power on the new console.[13] Initially scheduled for release on March 4, 2000,[14] it was later delayed to July 6.

Pawapuro 8

This installment features the first vocalized opening in the series, "Little Soldier" by Chihiro Yonekura. The opening animations were produced by Kyoto Animation, which primarily worked on animation post-production at that time. Kyoto Animation continued to produce the openings for the series until Pawapuro 11, after which they shifted focus to projects like the anime adaptation of Air by Visual Arts/Key. The production of game openings was then passed to Production I.G from Pawapuro 12 onward.

Pawapuro 9

Released on both PlayStation 2 and GameCube, this was the first game in the series available on multiple platforms.[15][16] This title also introduced cel shading graphics, a significant visual change.[17]

Pawapuro 10

This installment was the first to allow players to create entire teams rather than just individual players in Success Mode. Online multiplayer was introduced for the first time in the main series, and was also the only title that enabled cross-platform play. Additionally, MyLife Mode made its debut, allowing players to control an actual Japan League player rather than an original character, although created players from Success Mode were still playable.

Pawapuro 11

Created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Power Pros series, this game introduced audio endings in Success Mode, produced by Kyoto Animation. Other new features included the ability to break bats and perform safety bunts.[18]

Pawapuro 12

This installment introduced a modified player password system, making passwords incompatible with previous Nintendo-based games, but passwords from Pawapuro 12 to 14 could still be used on the Portable 1 and Portable 2 versions on Sony platforms. The game also introduced a Cheering Songs Editor, which allowed players to create and transfer cheering songs using passwords between Sony platform games.

Jikkyō Pawapuro Major League

This game marked the first time the series featured MLB instead of NPB. It also included the license for the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Pawapuro 13

With Nintendo's GameCube production discontinued by this point, this installment was released only on the PlayStation 2. It introduced significant system changes, such as an online mode, where players could now control only one player on the team, rather than the entire team. Scenario Mode, a long-standing feature of the series, was removed.

Pawapuro 14/Wii

The Wii platform replaced the GameCube for this installment. The game supported motion controls on the Wii version and online multiplayer, where players controlled three players at a time. In Success Mode, players could lead a high school team to compete in the Summer Koshien tournament. The mode also featured current Japanese NPB players as members of the National Team.

Jikkyō Pawapuro Major League 2 (MLB Power Pros)

This title marked the official debut of the series in North America, featuring several Japanese players who had transitioned to Major League Baseball.

Pawapuro 2009/NEXT

Released for the 15th anniversary of the series, Pawapuro 2009/NEXT reintroduced numbered versions for the first time since Pawapuro '94. Different versions of the game featured unique content based on the specific console and control features.

Pawapuro 2010

Released on July 15, 2010, for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable, this was the first game in the series to support high-definition video at 1080p resolution and true 5.1 surround sound (LPCM). The MyLife Mode was omitted from the PlayStation 3 version.

Pawapuro 2011

Released on July 14, 2011, for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. Unlike the previous version, the two platforms had the same content.

Pawapuro 2012

Released on July 19, 2012, for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation Vita, this installment introduced significant gameplay mechanics, including the PawaSta Mode, available only on PlayStation 3 and Vita versions.

Pawapuro 2013

Released on October 24, 2013, for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation Vita. Unlike Power Pros 2012, this game was also compatible with the PlayStation TV microconsole.

Pawapuro 2014

Released on October 23, 2014, for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita to commemorate the series' 20th anniversary, this was the first installment in the main series to feature active Japanese MLB players as "OB players" (retired players).

Pawapuro 2016

Released on April 28, 2016, for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Success Mode, the game introduced many gameplay elements from the Professional Baseball Spirits series. The game was later updated with 2017 season rosters, allowing players to choose between 2016 and 2017 rosters. Two new modes, "PawaFes" and "Challenge", were also introduced.

Pawapuro 2018

Released on April 28, 2018, for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita, Power Pros 2018 was the first game in the series to support PlayStation VR and PlayStation 4 Pro, along with high-dynamic-range video (HDR) and 2160p resolution. The game included a new mode, "Live Scenario", adapted from Professional Baseball Spirits 2015. A 2019 season pack was later added as an update.

Jikkyō Pawapuro Pro Yakyu (Nintendo Switch)

Released on June 27, 2019, for the Nintendo Switch, this installment of the series featured a Success Mode that was a remake of scenarios from Power Pros 9.

eBaseball Pawapuro 2020

Released on July 9, 2020, for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, this game marked the first entry in the series to incorporate Konami's eBASEBALL branding into its official title.[19]

eBaseball Pawapuro 2022

Released on April 21, 2022, for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, this installment's Success Mode (called "Rivals") featured selected events from Power Pros 9, Power Pros 13, and Power Pros 2011.[20]

WBSC eBaseball: Power Pros

Released on February 8, 2023 for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, this game was a collaboration between Konami and the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). It was the first game in the series to feature English text since MLB Power Pros and the obscure iPhone/iPad Power Pros game, also, it is the first to include Japanese voiceovers in the English release.[21][22][23][24]

Pawapuro 2024 - 2025

Powerful Pro Baseball 2024 - 2025 is a baseball simulation video game in the Power Pros series, developed by Konami and Power Pros Production for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, released on July 18, 2024.[25] Released in celebration of the series' 30th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of the Professional Baseball Spirits series, this installment features Shohei Ohtani as the ambassador. For the first time, the game title is written in two-year increments, and the "eBASEBALL" branding has been removed, though it remains part of the overall brand identity.

The Success Mode

The Success Mode is the game's most notable feature, blending role-playing game and life simulation game elements with baseball. The main objective is to train a generic Pawapurokun to become a professional baseball player. Pawapurokun starts with low stats but often surpasses the real professional players included in the game. Typically, Pawapurokun begins as an amateur (high school, college, or company player) and must become a professional within a set period (usually three years). Success Mode takes about two hours to complete, but creating a good player requires significant skill and luck, giving the game near-infinite replay value. Various random events affect the player's growth. For example, getting a girlfriend allows the players to regain motivation easily and receive gifts (which significantly boost the player's stats) on their birthday. The level of stress and the number of Pawapurokuns lost in Success Mode can be substantial, as players may spend hours training a Pawapurokun, only to have him severely injured in a car accident, ending his chances of becoming a top player. "All A's" Pawapurokuns (those with maximum stats) are highly sought after, as players can transfer Pawapurokuns between memory cards using a password, but passwords differ between Sony and Nintendo, preventing transfers between platforms like PS2/PSP and GC/Wii/NDS/GBA. Since Success Mode is the most popular part of the Pawapuro series, there is no ability-editing mode (except in the American installment MLB Power Pros), which is common in other sports games. The plot and storyline of Success Mode greatly impact the game's popularity, as many players prefer to replay older Pawapuro games with strong Success Modes rather than buy newer installments with updated data and gameplay but weaker Success Modes.

In Pawapuro 14, players can become a coach instead of Pawapurokun, leading a high school team to the Koshien championship. This offers an alternate way to create many Pawapurokuns simultaneously. The mode does not require skill in pitching, catching, or batting but emphasizes planning and tactics, similar to other sports-management games. Pawapuro 14 Kettei-ban was the first to allow enhancing current NPB players and placing them as original players.

The main background of Pawapurokun in various installments are below:

For managers:

The storylines and events in the series are often connected to both sequels and prequels, though not always in chronological order. For example, 7 is a sequel to the events in 9, and 10 is a sequel to 13, but 11 and 12 are parallel stories branching from 13 and have no connection to 10. The only constant character is Yabe Akio, an original outfielder who has appeared in every main series installment since 4 and always serves as Pawapuro-kun's first partner. He appears in the openings of 7, 8, and 9 wearing a Nippon-Ham Fighters (now Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters) uniform.

In early installments before 10, major characters were placed on different real NPB teams. After installment 10, four original teams (Powerfuls, Keysers, Cathands, and Yanks) were created in the Pacific League and Central League to accommodate original characters, with minor characters remaining on real teams as opponents. Two additional teams, Vulcans and Busters, were added in 14 to form the fictional "Revolutional League" with the previous four teams. According to the storyline in 14, the league competed in the Japan Series in its fourth year. Despite the fictional teams, major NPB regulations are followed, including the playoff system introduced in 2007. The Pennant span is shorter to keep gameplay under three hours, except in certain modes in 9, 10, 99', 11, 13, and 14. Players are generally not required to play all innings unless involved in key moments, like being captain in the final stages of Success Mode.

Due to potential copyright conflicts with MLB (especially before the release of the MLB series after Pawapuro 12), the American League system in the NPB series is called the UBL (possibly "USA Baseball League"). It consists of three levels: Single Star, Double Stars, and the top-tier Regular League, akin to the AA, AAA, and MLB system. This naming was used in installments 13 and 14, even after the MLB series was released, to maintain continuity with the NPB storylines, as some players are set in the UBL. Currently, the MLB series' Success Modes do not feature MLB players as playable characters, though AAA players appear in MLB Power Pros 2008.

Notably, several female players have appeared in the series, with at least four advancing through Koshien and turning professional (though one is not seen after release). Since the 7th installment, the opening sequences often provide clues to the Success Mode storyline, especially in the 9th and 10th installments, where professional players make brief cameos and Success Mode characters take center stage.

Sub-series often feature independent scenarios or omit Success Mode entirely. The most famous is the 99' installment, which introduced "Mekkou-Tou" mode. This mode involves consecutive battles with all original teams from past Success Modes (across the main series, Power Pro Kun Pocket series, and even future installments), and it remains a legendary mode that has not been revived in later series.

Power Pro Kun Pocket series, in contrast to the main series, incorporates many fantasy elements. Since the second installment, two Success Modes are featured in each game. The standard mode often involves high school or professional baseball (with fantasy elements mixed in), while the second, called "Inner Success" mode, places Power Pro Kun in various worlds, including the Medieval Ages, ancient times, and the future. Fantasy elements are rare in the main series, though Konami introduced them in 8, where the (optional) final battle is against android players infused with the data of legendary players.

3: Reserve player (in NPB team)
4: Reserve player (in NPB team)
5: High School Student
6: University player
7: Reserve player (in NPB team)
8: Fantasy Story (High School/University/Company player can be chosen)
9: High School Student
10: An NPB fictional team Reserve
11: University Team/Japan National Team (as amateur player)
12: Student in baseball academy/Company amateur player/Dropout in baseball academy
Major League: Player in independent league
13: High School Student (World High School Championship is added in Kettei-ban)
14: Reserve of Vulcans, an NPB fictional league team.
MLBPP: University Student
15: Company amateur player
MLBPP08: An AA/AAA player

10: Playing-owner of the professional-Success All Stars (Kettei-ban only)
14: High School Team, Japan National Team (Kettei-ban only)
15: High School Team

List of games in the series

Below is a rough list of the games within the Power Pro series, which can be categorized as follows:

Main series: This series is identified by numeric suffixes (except for '94, the first installment). Most significant system updates, including success mode, are incorporated into the main series. Numeric designations are not used after 15.

Season series: A PlayStation exclusive series, identified by a year suffix, serves as an alternate installment of the main series, which is available on the Super Famicom and PlayStation 2. This series has been merged with the main series following the discontinuation of the PlayStation. Since 1998, two installments have been released each year: a standard version at the start of the season and one named Kettei-ban (post-season version). The latter includes statistics and sometimes player transfers that reflect performance during the season. This practice has become a Konami tradition, even after the merger, similar to the Winning Eleven series, which receives more frequent updates. The Kettei-ban version was canceled in 15 but continued on Pro Baseball Spirits, but the year series was revived afterward.

MLB Power Pro series: This is the only series officially released in America, featuring MLB teams instead of traditional Japanese NPB teams, although a Japanese version is also available.

The passwords cannot be used across different manufacturers' consoles (Sony and Nintendo each have their own password formats). Additionally, passwords from the Japanese version of Power Pros cannot be used in the American version.

Main series

Consumer series

Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball '95 (PS) – December 22, 1994
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball '95 version of the opening (PS, SS) – July 14, 1995 (PS), July 28, 1995 (SS)
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball '96 version of the opening (SFC) – July 19, 1996
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball '97 version of the opening (PS) – August 28, 1997
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball S (SS) – December 4, 1997
BASIC Powerful Professional Baseball Play-by-Play '98 (SFC) – March 19, 1998
PAWAPURO GB (GB) – March 26, 1998
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball '98 version of the opening (PS) – July 23, 1998
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball '98 Ketteihan (PS) – December 23, 1998
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball '99 version of the opening (PS) – July 22, 1999
Jikkyou Powerful '99 Ketteihan Baseball (PS) – December 25, 1999