All-Star Baseball 2003

"Get This Game!"

This game brings the best from the first baseball games with the best of the new ideas they have come up with. This game has gotten better with each ''update'' as I like to call it. The batting system is VERY realistic. You can decide the pitch, arch, angle, position, and strength of the swing and where the ball will go once you have perfected it. It is very confusing at first but after a few losses in expansion mode you can have a winning season with any team.

Graphics- 11/10! I swear these are GOOD!
These are without a doubt in my mind the best graphics I have seen in any game ever made. The movements are without any chops or flaws. No one steps ''through'' a base into the ground or anything similar. The players (in the game) have the same faces as their real-life counterparts. The superstars have their own swing, batting stance, defensive stance, etc. Every team has the same uniform as the real-life team. I could sit back and watch 2 computer teams play each other and enjoy it. The cards you can get look very good for a little feature.

Game play- 9/10
Very nice. The AI is very challenging. The game is quite easy. The fielding is simple just run at the ball. The only part I don't like is the swinging system. It is VERY confusing the first few games you play. Most people made a review after that and bashed the game. It is different than the normal put the circle where the ball is coming then hit X. You have to control up or down swing. Hitting it to the left or right. Hitting the ball hard or just hitting a blooper over the Shortstop. After a few games anyone can play this game great.

Sound- 10/10
Greta sound. It sounds like you are in the stadium. The crowd gets louder and softer because of things the home team does. The venders can be heard during quiet times. the announcers actually make sense in all of the games I've played (over 300) with little repetition. I don't know how they did that but I applaud them! The bat sounds different when it cracks then when you bunt. Catches sound different depending on the type of hit, height of hit, etc. Very life-like

Features- 10/10
Best features in almost nay game I've played. The Franchise and Expansion setting is the best. You pick a team and manage them through 20 seasons of play! Wish you had a team in your home state? Make one! You can make one from any state and manage them. You have to start with drafted players (or you can make them), but you can trade them later because after the end of the season they improve or get worse. You do have to make new contracts though. Batting Practice will help new players improve or experts can get perfect here. Home Run Derby is an American Classic it is expected nothing big. Trivia is very challenging and if you like trivia it is fun. The trading cards make it a very fun and interactive game.

Replay Value- 10/10
There isn't a need for replay. This game is huge. With franchise, trivia, seasons, and the cards anyone could play this game for months straight and not get bored.

Rent or Buy? Buy
I would buy it unless you have never played a baseball game. You might want to test it out. It won't be a waste of your money. A very good game for a fan of baseball.

Overall 10/10
Not much to say here. A very good game. It's explained already.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 12/27/02, Updated 12/27/02