Super Mega Baseball marks the first release from Canadian developer Metalhead Software. Currently only available on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 as a cross-buy release, the $19.99 baseball title offers a marvellous distraction from the rigmarole of everyday life. As an arcade game, it's not going to put you in the Yankees roster and allow you to live out a power fantasy – but it's arguably just as enjoyable.
Indeed, this isn't a traditional MLB baseball game with all of the pro teams and all-stars that fans love, but rather a goofier experience. With made-up squads characterised more by how they play than how big their payrolls are, as well as fictional players with some, er, less than traditional names, the game dishes out fun by the bucketload. In fact, it harkens back to older sports titles; this is all about fast, fun sessions.
That's not to say that it completely overlooks the technical aspects of the sport, however – and it arguably has a more intuitive control scheme than its counterparts. You can swing your bat with buttons, but it feels best when you use the right-analogue stick to draw back and bat. A lot of the fielding is handled automatically, so that streamlines the entire process – but you are responsible for micro-managing jumping and diving.
If it all sounds too easy, don't worry – the game has an impressive roster of difficulty options, allowing you to customise almost every facet of the experience, from player agency on-field to how complicated the pitching process is. Even more interestingly, the game has a robust balancing system, which tunes the package's complexity to the competency of the player. In short: this allows the title to cater to all different abilities.
Modes are similarly streamlined, but not in a bad way. Outside of the bog-standard Exhibition Mode (one-off matches) and Season Play, there's not a whole to sink your teeth into. However, each selection has a surprising level of depth, with the latter in particular offering plenty of stat tracking data, among other more basic inclusions like rosters and depth charts. It's all considerately implemented, and well designed.
Not quite as successful is the art direction. The stadiums – of which there are plenty – have some stunning backdrops, but the players are less memorable. These adopt a more cartoon appearance, with giant torsos propped up by tiny legs, and gigantic heads bobbling about on top. There's nothing necessarily wrong with this style, but it's a bit too common, and doesn't really enable the title to stand out.
The audio is similarly flat – in fact, this is arguably the weakest aspect of the entire title. The soundtrack consists of lots of guitar, and is tolerable in isolation – but the umpire's voice is grating from the very first second. Doing his best Christian Bale as Batman impression, these unnecessary growls will leave you wanting to smash the voice actor over the head with your own real-life baseball bat.
The only other real issue with the title is that it's just not suited to long play sessions. It's great for quick games here and there, but if you're looking for something that's going to keep you occupied for hours on end, then you'd be better off looking elsewhere. Come at it with a pick-up-and-play mentality, though, and you'll get more than your money's worth over time, as this is best enjoyed in bitesized chunks.
Conclusion
Super Mega Baseball definitely hits a homerun. The title's arcade leanings may not make it especially suitable for long play sessions, and the umpire may be more irritating than Phillie Phanatic, but it really excels in short bursts. With sound mechanics and some great difficulty tuning options, this should appeal to everyone – whether you're a baseball fan or not.
Comments 20
Is this a Wii game?
I'm sorry I couldn't help it...
Yeah, the art's horrible. Sounds like it's a blast to play, though. Good review, @gbanas92.
Thank goodness. I've wanted an Atari Baseball style game for a while now. Looks like this might just scratch that itch!
@Splat - My impression is this is Super Mario Sluggers w/o Mario or the story mode. And I would buy it for that when it hits $10. Really needs Move support though for batting. I don't recall PS4 getting any Move games but there is a PS4 camera.
This might have to tide me over until Super Sluggers U which I hope they are working on b/c Wii Sports Club Baseball is too limited.
Does this let you choose teams and innings? Sometimes I want to play 9 but sometimes 5 will do. Sports Club is limited to only 3 so I don't even bother.
Edit - watched the vid - that guy getting hit by the pitch in the helmet (1:03) makes me want it more. Do players EVER get hit in the helmet in ANY baseball vdeogame? I've only played a handful of games in The Show but can't recall anyone ever being hit by a pitch, and my son certainly tries to hit players when he's pitching. I can't remember anyone getting HBP in Sluggers and my kids and I have played tons of that, but it's been a few years.
@get2sammyb I really like the art style.
@rjejr Yep you can choose teams and innings! And I've played quite a but of The Show 14 and I don't think I saw anyone get hit in the helmet
Hmmm, I feel like the review and score don't add up. The review read like a 5 or 6 to me but I was surprised by the 8. Just my feedback.
Must admit , this is the first time I've heard of this but seems fun
@gbanas92 - Somebody needs to find a baseball game w/ Mike Piazza batting and Roger Clemens pitching. If Mike doesn't get hit in the head it's never gonna happen.
I'm not even going to bother to look for a baseball game where fielders can throw pieces of broken bats at the runners.
@rjejr maybe the baseball equivalent of the NHL/NFL Hitz games? Beyond that I feel like that chances are pretty slim
@gbanas92 - I don't know about Hits, but my kids love that NFL Blitz game, fast paced and over the top.
@rjejr Ah Blitz that's it! Hitz is only hockey (same series just a different sport). I vaguely remember playing a baseball years and years ago that was the baseball equivalent, with thing like going around punching umpires and stuff of that nature. I can't for the life of me remember what it was called though!
When is this game available in europe? Uk?
It'd be cool if Sony signed them up to do a sequel with Playstation characters in this cartoony form - licensed Crash, Kratos, Joel, Kat, etc.
When released in England?
@SUDS_96_YNWA @Davros79
I don't think it's got a release date. It's coming to the UK eventually though!
@gbanas92 The game you're thinking of is MLB Slugfest. It was made by Midway, and there were at least two seasons of it available on original XBox. The Slugfest 2006 sequel is better than the first game. Lots of fun sliding into base and punching out the fielder. Throwing that crazy eephus pitch was a lot of fun, too.
How does this Super Mega Baseball compare to RBI Baseball '14? RBI is disappointing. Very few options and lacks the charm of the original RBI for NES.
There was a fun Super J League Baseball game for Dreamcast that this looks a lot like. And there was a Wii MLB Power Pros (or named something like that) which looks kinda like this, too. I'm tempted, but since I just bought RBI for PS4 it's a hard sell. Still, impulse buying is fun...
@jgrangervikings1 ah yep! That's the one! Agreed. I had a lot of fun with those games (even though I couldn't remember the name!).
As far as how this one compares to RBI Baseball, I can't say, as I've not played it. But this one's definitely fun!
I enjoy the pitching in this game the most and the batting mechanics are good as well.
Being a baseball fan must surely do no harm though, because I've bought this not knowing a thing about baseball, and I'm struggling to squeeze any enjoyment out of it whatsoever.
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