Ball Blazer Champions
(Playstation - PAL, Sports)
Complete
$7.21
Loose $2.99
Developed by:
Factor 5
Published by:
LucasArts
Released On:
10 Mar 1997
Four alien species -- the Zaltecs, Thilibies, Mandalars, and Kraytons -- had been at war for a long time. In order to end the bloodshed the aliens signed a treaty that created a new sport, BallBlazer. Once a year, from that day on, each species sends its best rotofoilers to a two-week competition to determine which species is the best. Also, other species have since joined the Interstellar BallBlazer Conference. BallBlazer is similar to one-on-one indoor soccer with weapons. Your main objective is to put the ball into the goal more than your opponent can. Characters ride vehicles called rotofoils that they use to speed around the arenas. In order to win a match you must win two out of three of the 4-minute rounds. To become the champion eight opponents must be defeated. Eight characters are available to choose from and game modes include: practice, tournament, 1-player free play, and 2-player free play. BallBlazer Champions requires one memory block for each saved game.
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Prices as of 09 Oct 2026
Typical $7.21β$7.21 (last 90 days)
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Market activity: moderate Β· about 7 sales a year
Activity is a 12-month sales count. Dashed segments rest on two sales a year or fewer.
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
This is a futuristic sports game where players pilot "rotofoilers" in various arenas to score goals with a "plasmorb." Players compete in intense, four-minute matches, aiming to outmaneuver opponents and become the Master Blazer. The game offers diverse stadium types, each favoring different playstyles, adding strategic depth to the high-octane action.
Story
The History of BallBlazer
The Second Galactic War exacted huge tolls on the Zaltecs, Thilibies, Mandalars, and Kraytons. Everyone longed for the comforts of hearth and Binti Immersion Tank.
On a Level-A pollution day on Finos VII, leaders of the four species gathered to sign a treaty. This treaty created a new sport to replace the bloodshed.
For one fortnight a year, member species send their best rotofoilers to compete for the Interstellar BallBlazer Championship. For two weeks, the peace is broken for organized war: two Blazers, one plasmorb, and four minutes to score. The Blazer who conquers all wears the Master Blazer crown.
Speculation still runs rampant on the original question: What was the question? Why did they fight? Couldn't they settle it by rock-paper-scissors? The network executives, the fans, and even the Blazers no longer care. They wait for the start of every Final and leave the speculation to the historians.
The Stadiums
The Interstellar BallBlazer Conference endorses four arena types for official competition: the Basic Stadium, the Bowl, the Canyon, and the Half-Pipe. While an arena must conform to one of the four types, each one is designed to favor a particular style of play.
Each of the four stadium types are broken into three variations on that type. In all, there are 12 different stadiums in which to immerse yourself in BallBlazer competition!
The Basic Stadium
When the IBC introduced the Bowl as a playing surface, traditionalists protested. They felt the BallBlazer governing body had abandoned the roots of the game.
An architect was hired to revisit the grand arena and create a structure reminiscent of the classic style. The Basic Stadium's surface recalls the Flatland Stadium, the first lady of BallBlazer stadiums. Gentle ramps and valleys demand deft handling and throttle control.
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The Bowl
Jugboe Hinderron and Grol settled a grudge match in a satellite dish, making BallBlazer history. They battled for hours, playing an unsupervised version of the sport, unaware the satellite was still in operation. Sector homelife was on hold until Grol launched the plasmorb through the goal for the final score.
With its flat bottom and ramped sides, the Bowl favors good acceleration and shot accuracy. Goals sit at the top edge of the Bowl, making chases for the plasmorb a mad dash downhill.
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The Canyon
Shaped like a crater, the Canyon is dappled with pillars and pits. It resembles the landscape of the poorest of provinces. Between the two goals there is never a straight line.
Curved sides and smoothed obstacles offer as many shot possibilities as 3D bumper asteroids. As Commissioner Trin notes, "The IBC wants to embrace all peoples and all planets. We think the Canyon facility does just that."
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The Half-Pipe
Fans don't often become famous, but Dugan McCoogle's concept of "a toilet-paper tube, like, with its top cut off," won the IBC's Designarena competition. Inspired by a hoverskate park, Dugan sketched a half-tube with goals at either end.
According to Dugan, "It's not totally tubular. It's, like, half-tubular, you know?" The Pipe calls for a slick surface and no gravity for "way-gnarly spinouts." Variations include full-pipe layouts and terrain hazards.
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Interview with Xarta
The reigning Master Blazer, Xarta, doesn't often sit for an interview. However, he took a few minutes between rounds to talk to Moosh.
MOOSH: What do you expect from the upcoming season?
XARTA: I've got to take it one day at a time, just doing what I do best. That's what BallBlazing is all about - coming to the park, treating each match individually and giving 100 percent to the fans and the game I love.
MOOSH: Meaning...?
XARTA: Kick tail, win the Championship and make lots of dough.
MOOSH: Do you have any advice for potential opponents?
XARTA: Nah, not really, since no one can beat me. Still, there are always a few who want a piece of me, so to them I say, come get me, but your foil better be fully loaded and you better know what you're doing.
MOOSH: Otherwise?
XARTA: I'm gonna turn you into a Besmoolian dung heap.
MOOSH: Thank you for your time.
How to Play
Starting Up
Set up your PlayStation game console according to its instruction manual. Check all cable connections to the PlayStation, television, and wall sockets. Insert a Memory Card if you want to save game data.
Insert the "BALLBLAZER CHAMPIONS" CD and close the disc cover. Make sure the PlayStation game console's power is "Off" before inserting or removing a compact disc.
Plug in one or two game controllers and turn the PlayStation game console on. Following the title screens, the opening sequence will play, then end at the Title Screen/Game Start Menu. The button will let you skip the opening sequence and go directly to the Main Menu.
At the Title Screen/Game Start Menu, use the directional arrow keys on your controller to choose START GAME or OPTIONS. Use the Start button or button to activate your selection. The OPTIONS screen allows you to customize game settings.
Hold down the Select button and then hold down the Start button for two seconds to return to the Title Screen. We recommend that you select START GAME before changing any game settings. START GAME will take you to the Main Menu.
At the Main Menu screen you can select from one of four game modes: Practice Mode, 1-Player Tournament, 1-Player Freeplay or 2-Player Freeplay. To select one of the games, use the directional arrow keys and press the Start button.
Object of the Game
The object of BallBlazer is to get the ball (Plasmorb) into the goal more times than your opponent. A standard match is four minutes long with five goals. Scoring more goals than your opponent before the end of the time limit wins the round. Winning two out of three rounds wins the match.
Your craft is called a Rotofoil, which has an external electromagnetic field that allows it to hold, carry, shoot, and knock the plasmorb loose from the other craft.
The basics are to grab the Plasmorb, race for the goal, and shoot. However, getting the plasmorb, moving toward your goal, and scoring doesn't always come easy.
There are a number of obstacles and realities to understand and avoid. Every rotofoil has a finite amount of energy, and many maneuvers require energy to perform. Holding the plasmorb uses up energy.
You'll also have an opponent to worry about, weapons will be used against you, arena obstacles will be in your way, and the clock is ticking. For defense, you'll need to perfect the "plasmorb steal", dodge weapons, outmaneuver your opponent, and learn the lay of the land in each stadium.
Stadium Features
To be a winner, you must understand each stadium and its contents. Many items discussed in this section may not be found in all arenas or every gameplay mode.
The Goal
If you have the plasmorb in your rotofoil magnetic field, cross-hairs will appear over your goal to help identify it. Note the red and blue coloring of each goal.
Player 1 is always blue and will defend the blue goal and score into the red goal. Player 2 is always red, defending the red goal and shooting to score in the blue goal. This coloring is also seen in the "score orbs" at the top left and right-hand sides of the game screen.
Opponent Radar
If you cannot see your opponent's rotofoil on the game screen, a large red or blue arrow will appear above your opponent's rotofoil.
The Score Orbs
Along the top of the game screen are two groups of orbs. When Player 1 scores a goal, the orbs on the top left side of the screen become highlighted in blue. When Player 2 scores a goal, the orbs on the top right side of the screen become highlighted in red.
There are five score orbs on each side of the game screen. When a player wins a round, a solid orb will appear on that player's side.
The Energy Bar
Some rotofoil maneuvers (including holding the plasmorb, using turbo-boost, and roto-snapping) expend energy. Getting hit by weapons also drains energy.
In the lower right side of the game screen, a bar represents the state of your energy cells. When you have maximum energy, the bar is entirely green. As energy is used, the bar will begin to turn red, your rotofoil will move slower, and your plasmorb's launch speed will decrease.
Often the best way to conserve energy is to continually launch the plasmorb and chase it down, like dribbling a soccer ball. Energy Strips affect rotofoil energy levels. Blaze over a green strip to recharge; sliding over a red strip depletes energy and slows down your rotofoil.
The Rotofoil
Front and center on the play screen should be your craft, or rotofoil. There are four different camera views from which to maneuver your craft. The select button toggles between camera views. Different perspectives work better in different arenas.
Camera Views
β’
Inside your rotofoil, or first-person
β’
Slightly above your rotofoil
β’
Behind your rotofoil
β’
Above your rotofoil, or top-down perspective
The Plasmorb
The plasmorb is a ball of magma. When you do not have the plasmorb, a circle on the screen will indicate its location. If you cannot see the plasmorb on the screen, your rotofoil's radar will attempt to locate its direction, indicated by arrows on the right and left of the screen.
If the plasmorb is directly behind you, the radar will not be able to locate it. Use the button to "roto-snap" your craft toward the plasmorb when you'
Controls
Direction Button UP
Forward
Direction Button DOWN
Backward
Direction Button LEFT or RIGHT
Turn Left or Right
Hold Down L1 or R1
Strafe
SELECT
Change Views
START
Pause, Quit Match, Quit Game, Instant Replay
L2 or R2
Shoot or knock ball away
A BUTTON
Engage turbo
O BUTTON
Fire weapon, engage power-up
X BUTTON
Switch between power-ups
BUTTON
Roto-snap (Auto-turn) toward general direction of goal (if you have the plasmorb). or towards the plasmorb (if you do not have the plasmorb)
Enemies & Characters
Grumli
Born without legs, Grumli developed a unique style of 'passing' black-market eggs to overcome his disability and became rich from his investments.
Zuura
This year's second-best rookie, Zuura shocked reigning Master Blazer Xarta but was later disqualified for oversized engine nozzles, leading to her aggressive and defiant nature.
Zack
The first human Champion, Zack captured the Rookie of the Year award last season and brings exceptional speed to the competition.
K'Krix
After being blasted by Xarta, K'Krix refused to press charges and has been voted 'Best Sport' for three years in a row, despite not reaching the Finals in a decade.
Tidus
Tidus overcame a meat addiction and now maintains a strong all-around game, with his ability to be unconcerned with time being a significant advantage.
Sree
Sree sued the IBC to permit a Thilibi entrant into the Championship, becoming a hero among his people but a hunted figure on tour due to his advocacy for the flight-enabled.
Borgus
Ruthless and demanding, Borgus is determined to win a Championship and has threatened his crew with a system reboot if they don't perform well.
Torque
A former Master Blazer who won three straight Championships, Torque has since squandered his fortune and brain cells on frivolous schemes, though he can still hold his own against new competition.
Items & Weapons
CLOAKING DEVICE
The cloaking device temporarily makes a rotofoil virtually invisible for a short period of time. Only the rotofoil is cloaked, so its shield when activated can still be seen.
PLASMORB MAGNET
The Plasmorb Magnet pulls the plasmorb toward you even if your opponent controls it. The PM has a limited range, so pull up close when trying to steal the ball.
DESTABILIZATION FIELD DISPENSER (DFD)
Activating the DFD causes any rotofoil passing through it to skid and spin out of control. A DFD will also stop the plasmorb-a great tactic to use in front of your goal.
LAND MINES
Land mines drain energy, strip a rotofoil of the ball, and throw the rotofoil into the air.
FREEZE GUN
When hit by repeated shots from the Freeze Gun, your opponent will be temporarily frozen. To be most effective, hit your opponent quickly and with as many shots as possible.
HOMING MISSILES
The Homing Missile is very accurate. It drains energy from your opponent and strips him of the plasmorb. Shoot three consecutive missiles to completely immobilize your opponent, temporarily.
NON-HOMING MISSILES
Aim carefully. Non-homing missiles can knock away the plasmorb from your opponent and drain his energy.
PLASMA GUN
The Plasma Gun drains energy from opposing champions and can knock the plasmorb and the opponent around the field.
CREDIT CRYSTALS
Coins can be accumulated and used to purchase rotofoil upgrades.
Tips & Maps
Plasmorb Draining
Holding the plasmorb for long periods drains energy, slows your rotofoil, and reduces launcher distance. Shoot often and use turbo-boost to retrieve the plasmorb (the "dribble" tactic).
Energy Strips
Drive over green energy strips to recharge your energy, but avoid red strips as they deplete energy and slow your rotofoil. While on a green strip, you can hold the plasmorb and turbo-boost repeatedly without draining energy.
Strafing
Strafing (moving sideways using L1 and R2) helps evade opponents and set up goal shots.
Credit Crystals
Pick up as many credit crystals as possible to allow for maximum upgrades.
Stealing the Plasmorb
To steal the plasmorb, get close to your opponent and use your launcher to "shoot" the plasmorb away.
Camera Positions
Experiment with various camera positions to find a setting that matches your playing style.
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