Ball Jacks
{{Short description|1993 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|image=BallJacksBoxShotGenesis.jpg
|caption=Japanese cover art
|developer=Namco
|publisher=Namco[http://www.gamefaqs.com/genesis/570455-ball-jacks/data Ball Jacks] at GameFAQs
|composer= Yoshinori Kawamoto[http://www.mobygames.com/game/genesis/ball-jacks Ball Jacks] at MobyGames
H. Umino
|platforms=Sega Mega Drive
|released={{vgrelease|JP|April 23, 1993{{cite magazine |url=http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=7513 |accessdate=2015-08-08 |script-title=ja:ボールジャックス [メガドライブ] |language=Japanese |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Kadokawa Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924051308/http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=7513 |archive-date=2015-09-24 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=Software List (Software Licensee Release) |url=https://www.sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html |website=Sega Hard Encyclopedia |publisher=Sega Corporation |access-date=May 15, 2023 |language=ja}}|EU|June 1993{{cite web|title=Mega Drive ProReview: Ball Jacks|url=https://archive.org/details/sega-pro-21/page/n59/mode/1up|work=Sega Pro|publisher=Paragon Publishing|accessdate=24 September 2024|date=July 1993|page=60}}}}
|genre=Action
|modes=Single-player
Multiplayer
}}
{{nihongo|Ball Jacks|ボールジャックス|Bōru Jakkusu}} is a 1993 action video game developed and published by Namco for the Sega Mega Drive in Japan and Europe.
Gameplay
File:BallJacksScreenshotTwoPlayerMode.PNG
Ball Jacks is a futuristic action game that involves an ultra-competitive sporting event. Two robot crabs are controlled by men who play the game merely to become wealthy and famous. There is a conveyor belt behind them that spews metal balls at them. The goal is to capture balls that belong to the opponent and keep them from him until time runs out.[http://www.giantbomb.com/ball-jacks/61-22748/ Ball Jacks] at Giant Bomb Balls can also be knocked out from the mechanical hands of the opponent. All damaged crabs must return to the pit area for a quick maintenance and repair session.
There are several modes: a world championship against increasingly tougher opponents, a multiplayer versus mode, a training mode, and a time trial where the time limit is the only foe.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| rev1 = Mega
| rev1Score = 9%[https://retrocdn.net/images/0/07/Mega_UK_10.pdf "Mega"] review, Future Publishing, issue 10, page 57, July 1993
}}
The game was poorly received, with Andy Dyer criticising the graphics, sound, gameplay and size.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}