Item: Home Run High
Rating: 89
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

89/100

Kairosoft has done it again with Home Run High, delivering a management sim that is as deep as it is adorable. Managing a high school baseball team sounds simple, but the level of granular control is staggering. You aren't just calling plays; you’re designing training regimens, deciding on school facility upgrades, and even worrying about your players' academic performance. It’s a holistic simulation of being a coach and an administrator.

The signature Kairosoft pixel art and humor are present in spades, making even the menu-heavy management feel lively and personal. There’s a genuine sense of pride when a player you’ve trained from a freshman becomes a star hitter in the championships. The pacing is excellent, with a constant stream of new unlocks and milestones to keep you engaged for dozens of hours. It’s easily one of the best sports management games on the App Store.

Reviewed on: Wed Feb 25 2026

Dinsun Review

Dinsun here. Kairosoft is one of the few developers left that I actually respect. They found a formula that works—sim management with a soul—and they stick to it. Home Run High isn't just about baseball; it's about the grind of high school sports. You’re balancing academics, training regimens, and the layout of your school. It’s got that classic depth where you think you’re just placing a building, but twenty minutes later you realize how it affects your pitcher’s stamina.

The game is slower-paced than their usual 'Story' titles, which I actually prefer. It gives you time to get attached to your roster. My only gripe is that if you’ve played one Kairosoft game, you’ve played them all. The UI is starting to feel like it's stuck in 2012, and the music will eventually drive you mad. But for a solid management sim? It's hard to beat.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Deep management systems
Timeless pixel art
Very addictive progression loop

UI feels dated and clunky
Music is repetitive
Steep learning curve for newcomers

Technical Report

Performance: Flawless performance, though it drains battery more than you'd expect for 2D graphics.

Accessibility:

Pause at any time

Audience Fit

Buy if: You love management sims and the Kairosoft aesthetic.

Skip if: You want an action-packed baseball game where you control the swing.

Similar Games:

Pocket League Story
Grand Mountain Adventure

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative veteran gamer
Hardware: iPad Mini
Playtime: 25 hours
Status: Won Nationals once

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

1232097854

$4.99 4+★4.3 84 reviews

Author : Kairosoft Co.,Ltd

Pubish Date : Tue May 02 2017

Last Update Date : Tue Jun 17 2025

Support Languages : English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Thai, Traditional Chinese

Genres :

Version 1.42Tue Jun 17 2025

Fixed minor issues.
Train your baseball players and create a winning team!
Can you lead your high school baseball team to ultimate victory? It might be a small after-school club now, but with the right training, even the sky isn't the limit for this team!
Train players by assigning them practice drills. You choose what they need to focus on, such as batting or pitching.
Install batting cages, showers, or other facilities to make life better for the team. A good environment makes for more effective training! School life is not all about sports, though. Studying is just as important, so make sure to construct educational facilities to upgrade the school.
House students in a dorm and they'll have more time for both studying and baseball practice! Pick your best players for the team and test their skill at tournaments.
*This game only supports landscape mode.
--
Try searching for "Kairosoft" to see all of our games, or visit us at https://kairopark.jp.
Be sure to check out both our free-to-play and our paid games!
Kairosoft's pixel art game series continues!
Follow kairokun2010 on Twitter for the latest Kairosoft news and information:
https://twitter.com/kairokun2010
Requires iOS 12.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Train your baseball players and create a winning team!
Can you lead your high school baseball team to ultimate victory? It might be a small after-school club now, but with the right training, even the sky isn't the limit for this team!
Train players by assigning them practice drills. You choose what they need to focus on, such as batting or pitching.
Install batting cages, showers, or other facilities to make life better for the team. A good environment makes for more effective training! School life is not all about sports, though. Studying is just as important, so make sure to construct educational facilities to upgrade the school.
House students in a dorm and they'll have more time for both studying and baseball practice! Pick your best players for the team and test their skill at tournaments.
*This game only supports landscape mode.
--
Try searching for "Kairosoft" to see all of our games, or visit us at https://kairopark.jp.
Be sure to check out both our free-to-play and our paid games!
Kairosoft's pixel art game series continues!
Follow kairokun2010 on Twitter for the latest Kairosoft news and information:
https://twitter.com/kairokun2010

Ratings & Reviews

4.3 out of 5 with 84 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

Home Run High is a comprehensive sports management simulation from the creators of Game Dev Story. Players take charge of a high school baseball club, tasked with everything from scouting new talent to building batting cages and libraries. Success requires balancing rigorous physical training with academic success, ensuring your athletes stay eligible to play. Watch your team grow through the seasons as they compete in local tournaments and strive for the national spotlight in this charming, pixel-art world.

Features

Deep team and facility management

Dynamic match simulation with tactical control

Charming Kairosoft signature pixel art

Player growth and graduation cycles

Extensive customization for your school and team

Tips

Building Your Campus

Don't just focus on the baseball field. Building facilities like libraries and cafeterias helps improve your players' stats and happiness. Placing facilities close to each other can trigger 'combos' that provide even greater bonuses to your team's development.

Promotion Videos

Nintendo Switch - Home Run High (Review) - YouTube

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Gameplays

Balancing Academics and Sports

If a player's grades drop too low, they won't be able to participate in matches. Use 'Study' commands during the off-season or before big exams to ensure your star pitcher doesn't get sidelined by a math test.