The two sports reviewers of "Electronic Gaming Monthly" both gave the PlayStation version a 7.5 out of 10. They remarked that the attention to detail in the stadium sounds and visuals make the game very realistic, and that while the control is somewhat "sluggish", it works well once learned. "GamePro"s Scary Larry said that the motion-captured animation is excellent, but that against other PlayStation baseball games such as "Triple Play 97", "Frank Thomas Big Hurt Baseball" does not hold up well due to the lack of key options such as changing the batter's stance and speed bursts while running. He gave a more positive recommendation for the Saturn version, while noting that he only did so because the Saturn did not have as many outstanding baseball games as the PlayStation yet. Both "GamePro" and "Next Generation" found the Saturn version a major improvement over the Super NES version, with "Next Generation" calling it "an extremely solid game with little flaws that keep it from being great." The reviewer called the graphics "extraordinary", while his criticisms included the somewhat difficult interface and the delay in the batting controls. Rob Allsetter of the British "Sega Saturn Magazine" chiefly commented on baseball's lack of mass appeal in Britain, and argued that though "Big Hurt" is good by the standards of a baseball video game it would only appeal to those who are fans of the sport.