Famista DS is almost as simple as baseball can get. In the Dream League mode you select your favorite team from the NPB and then step up to home plate. Before the pitcher throws the ball you have a few seconds to position your batter with the D-pad. Then you press the A button to swing and sit back to see the results. The runners automatically sprint and, if necessary slide, to the nearest base.
Batting is straightforward, but at some point you have to switch sides and play defense. This is where things get a tad chaotic. When it is time to pitch you press the A button to throw the ball and hold left or right on the D-pad to adjust the curve. Once the other team knocks the ball into the sky, you have to catch it by guiding a player to sit underneath its shadow. However, the shortstop, left fielder and pitcher simultaneously respond to your commands. This wouldn’t be too bad if Famista DS showed the entire field. Instead it only shows the portion where the ball is, which means you have to move your outfielders into position without seeing where they are.
I’m often tempted to run after ground balls with my shortstop, but if I miss scooping up the ball I end up positioning my outfielder far away from where he should be. The system is counterintuitive, especially because the DS has two screens. Namco Bandai could have designed Famista DS to make one screen follow the ball and the other display the where the players are standing. This way you could see who is in the best position to catch the ball, instead of trying to psychically maneuver off screen outfielders.
In case you were wondering which teams were in Famista DS here is a list of them:
Chunichi Dragons
Hanshin Tigers
Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Tokyo Yakult Swallows
Yokohama BayStars
Yomiuri Giants
Chiba Lotte Marines
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters
Orix Buffaloes
Seibu Lions
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
