User Reviews (1 - 11 of 28)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

If the Lord All Mighty had a baseball game, this would be it

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 11
Date: March 14, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Okay, here's the deal. I am one of the pickiest and hard to please sports gamers out there. Now having said that, this game by far exceeded all the expectations I had for it. For one, I can see myself playing this season after season with its new in depth record mode. In it you can pit your existing players and have the strive to change history by breaking MLB records i.e. homeruns, stolen bases, strikeouts and much more both in season and lifetime. This was a thing that I actually knocked a lot of other games for, where when and if you finish one season you will sit and wonder where is the treat to keep you to play it again and again. In addition graphics in comparison blow away last years, the animimation is not just more detailed and realistic, but also captivating. The playability is also not predictable i.e. you already know where the ball is going to go after it is hit, or whether you're going to turn two off a grounder. This just goes to show how much more intense and in depth the gameplay has risen. I mean I even blew a routine play to first because my shortstop didn't get up fast enough. Also, just the sheer stat tracking is enough to keep you on. You have the ability to see the player potential of your minor leaguers and veterans. Trades are more realistic wherein you can make deals with cash money as an incentive to sweeten them up instead of the usual "DENIED". Lastly, the commentary is not the snooze fest you are accostomed to hearing, I mean come on they even brought a professional in.There are so many more things I can say about this game, but since I only have a 1000 words to do it I'll close by saying if you buy any other baseball game other than "World Series 2k3" you had better get a check up from the neck up. Thank You Sega for giving me a new reason to live.

Not much wrong with this one.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: March 15, 2003
Author: Amazon User

After being horribly dissapointed with every Xbox baseball game to date, I took a chance and bought this one. Compared to last years crappy installments of ASB and Triple Play, or whatever it was, I have renewed interest in video game baseball.

There is simply too many goood points to go into here, but I will say that the animations look very smooth and natural, with stances and swings identical to their real-life counterparts. The controls are very easy to learn, and it's not very complicated to sit down and play decently.

The best part is the franchise mode, which is deeper than any I've seen in any sports game anywhere. You have to hire, fire, and negotiate salaries with everyone, including your scouts, managers and minor-leaguers. You put a guy in charge of prospects, and he tells you when their ready for the big leagues. However, if you went out and hired the cheapest scout you could find, his prospects might not be so good. At the end of each season, it even has players retire, with some being voted to the hall of fame.

This game has every little feature and option you would find in every other baseball game, but the graphics and animation are the best in this one. What looks especially good is the ESPN style presentation. It looks just like something off tv when you are in a game. Also the announcers are not at all annoying, and their comments don't sound canned or repetitive.

If you want a great franchise or season mode, this is the best simulation out there. I would not hesitate this game to anyone who feels burned by All Star Baseball or Triple Play.

Bo knows baseball

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: May 20, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I was reluctant to spend [this much] on a baseball game, given that most baseball games get boring after a few weeks, but thought I'd give the Sega line a chance. I think WSB is worth the money if you're a big baseball fan (but I don't think any baseball game could be worth [this price] if you're not a true baseball fan).
The game play is exceptional; graphics are great. There are many many many options which allow you to tweek the difficulty any which way you like. On the default settings the first few games I couldn't buy a run (which is good b/c it makes for a challenge). Batting options are nice - you can set it to Timed Hitting (press a button - extremely boring), Standard Hitting with a Cursor (good - difficult at first), and Power Bar Hitting (a little harder). You can also change the Batting Cursor size -so if you're scoring too many runs, make the cursor size smaller. Pitching is similar in that you can tweek the Variable Pitching - turn it off and the pitcher (even if he pitches for Detroit) will paint the corners in and out - or turn it to High and watch your guy make some mistakes. And the game will punish your mistakes, which is nice for the realism. Don't leave pitches down the middle of the plate - they make for pretty movie cut-scenes of the other guy trotting around the bases. The ability (though rare) to rob a home run is pretty cool too.

I also really enjoy the General Manager function in Franchise mode. You can promote Rookies from the Minor Leagues - or leave them down there and groom them for the future. You can sign free agents, make trades (have to watch your Budget though). It's quite realistic - makes you a real George Steinbrenner.

Only negatives about the game - sometimes it seems like the players in the field lob the ball instead of throwing a bullet. The coaches names are ridiculously dumb (Sundial Serbert is my Coach?). The create a player is kind of weak in the appearance - not much customizing of the face - and the announcers won't pronounce the guy's name even if you named him Bill Smith. Again, baseball is a long season so if you're going to go the full 162 games, it can be a long haul.

Overall though, WSB is a very satisfying game for the true baseball fan. I think it's better than the other series out there but that's just my opinion...before purchasing them I'd rent a few of them first.

World Series Baseball 2K3

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: April 11, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is by far the best baseball game out there. The game-play is smoother, the graphics are better and the franchise mode is unbelievble! The best part of the game is the franchise mode. Here you can controll your minor leage team with more controll than ever before. You also have a mager, a minor leage director, a scouting director, and a bating and pitching coach. You controll how much time is spent on difernt things for each coach. For example, you can decide if you want your batting coach to focus on power hitting more, or contacts hitting. You also have to chnage your starting lineups form time to time becuase the hitters get tierd and needa break. It is also cool becuase there are lots awards your team can get. A new feature is your team gets more money for winning because your ball park sells out and so u get cash to spend on players and such. The only flaw is that if you play franchise mode, you have to draft your coaching staff. YOU DO NOT GET THE COACHES THAT ARE ALLREADY ON THE ORGINAL TEAM. But that is not that big of a deal. This game is awsome, and i highly recemend you get it!

Sega Sports Rules Baseball (again)

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 9
Date: March 16, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game as soon as it dropped, couldn't wait!! I got World Series Baseball last year also and felt then it was the best, with a few drawbacks. I must admit to being a big sega sports fan, they really put out some top-notch sports games. See for yourself. This year's game is even better! Sega Sports made some key improvements which makes this baseball game the "King of Diamonds" ! The franchise mode has unlimited seasons! In last year's game it was extremely hard to hit home runs, 2K3 adds a much needed "power" swing button which makes hitting the deep ball easier. Thanks Sega !! Finally a "jump" and "dive" button was also added, so you can jump the wall and rob a home run away...sweet! One small complaint is they did away from the color book inside :( This year's has black & white pages. I read the reviews (gamepro) on this game (& others) before I bought it and it got an excellent review, which didn't surprise me at all. More about the game... the partnership w/ ESPN fits well and I hope they keep it for future games. Would have been cool if they somehow could have added the crew from "baseball tonite" though, like how NFL2k3 added Mike Patrick from "SportsCenter". I also wish they would have kept the desk setting (in the coach's office) like NFL 2K3. Anyways, you can also play as or against 25 Hall of Famers and there are alternate & retro uniforms and a few classic ballparks as well. You can even create up to 25 players!! Even the fans in the background are the best I've ever seen in a baseball game before. The 2 man commentary is right on and much improved from last years. The graphics & animation here are the best I've seen yet. New double play & home run animations were added! The umpires also seem to have passion/more life here as they "punch out" strike out victims. The sound & control is also great. You can also win numerous adwards like rookie of the year, cy-young, gold glove, silver slugger, etc. When you begin you can select the coaches & scout to lead your team, which is pretty cool and adds to the realism. The game also has 4 levels of difficulty rookie, pro, all-star , and legend. You can also warm up your pitchers in the bullpen this year, yet another sweet addition. I even like the fact that in the stadiums themselves there's american flags, red, white, & blue bunting, & advertising banners like sega sports, espn, rawlings, etc. which again adds to the realism, there's even fireworks! All in all, if you're looking for the best baseball game please do yourself a favor and give this one a chance or in other words...go BUY it NOW.
Sega Sports & Visual Concepts Rule! ....play ball !!!...... "Let's Go Yankees" !!

WSB2K3 IS KING?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: March 20, 2003
Author: Amazon User

General / Summary: WORLD SERIES BASEBALL 2K3 is definitely one of the best sports console games I have ever had the pleasure of playing. The game plays true to the sport of baseball while remaining extremely addictive in the gameplay. I highly recommend purchasing WS2K3 without hesitation.

Gameplay: This is one of the most realistic gameplay experiences within a sports game. The AI makes the right decision 99% of the time. The AI will make you pay for errors.

Visual: The stadiums are almost perfect renditions of real major league ballparks. The only thing that prevented me from giving the graphics a perfect score was the crowd and dugout. Sega needs a little direction from All-Star Baseball in this instance.

Sound: It would have been nice to have a more serious baseball dialogue between the announcers like All Star Baseball. Once again, Sega needs to look in All-Star Baseball's direction.

Suggestions to Developer: Sega, needs to work on the lively nature of the dugout and bullpen. They also need visits to the mound from the manager. In addition, they need to make it more difficult to steal a base.

Totally awesome

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: March 29, 2003
Author: Amazon User

ESPN broadcast presentation: True to the sports fan, replays, scores, and more are displayed in the famous ESPN style.
Classic ballparks: Take the field in some of baseball's most historic ballparks, including The Polo Grounds, Forbes Field, Shibe Park, Crosley Field, and Griffith Stadium.
More retro uniforms and alternate tops: Classic home and away unis as well as alternate tops for every MLB team.
Hall of Fame™ legends: Play as or against more than 25 Hall of Fame legends, featuring player-specific batting stances and pitching styles for the greatest to ever lace 'em up, including Bob Gibson, Mike Schmidt, Rollie Fingers, Stan Musial, and more.
New-and-improved animations: Home-run-robbing snatches at the wall, line-drive-snaring grabs, beaned batters charging the mound, drag bunts, and scores of new double-play animations.
Enhanced gameplay: New baserunning mechanism, user-controlled leadoffs on the basepaths, power swing for aggressive hitting, and an all-new jump button for even more control in the field.
Robust Franchise mode: Be "The Boss" in the deepest franchise mode around.

Staff up with managers, batting and pitching coaches, minor league directors, and scouts to help you evaluate talent, get the most out of your current players, and develop today's prospects into tomorrow's All-Stars.
The in-depth financial model allows you to negotiate contracts with free agents, re-sign players and coaches to long-term deals, trade away expensive veterans for cheap prospects, and more, to keep your team competitive and in the black.
Unlimited seasons!

Weekly, monthly, and seasonal awards: Multiple awards are up for grabs from Player and Pitcher of the Week/Month honors to the serious hardware, including Rawlings Gold Glove, Louisville Silver Slugger, Rookie of the Year, and Most Valuable Player.
Immersive ballpark atmosphere: The ballpark comes to life, from vocal vendors and ruthless hecklers to fireworks, water fountains, and new bullpen and bench cut scenes.
All-new pitcher camera: Play the game from a more true broadcast perspective, with an all-new, behind-the-pitcher camera.

Bugs and Baseball Do Not Mix

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 5 / 9
Date: June 16, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Do not buy this game! Repeat--don't waste your money!

While it's fairly detailed and pretty graphically--it has gamekilling bugs and outrageously bad interface issues.

First off, the fielding is an absolute mess! A ball hit to the outfield often reveals just a screen of grass and the ball with only an arrow pointing off screen to what is supposedly your pre-selected player. That should be the fielder closest to the ball. Theoretically. Unfortunateley, none of that may be true. After what seems to be an interminable wait, your selected guy may appear, but often, a non-selected fielder may jump in and grab the ball from the opposite side anyway before you even get there! Huh?

A foul-pop was snatched by the unselected pitcher even though I ran my selected catcher over directly under it with plenty of time. Huh? Bugs, bugs, and more bugs.

There is lierally no logic or reason to the incredibly slow fielder retrieval process. You'll find yourself time after time with your man crawling after balls deep in the field. They can get only balls hit right to them, and then the above-mentioned insane selection bug/process makes things confusing and frustrating.

Add to that numerous fielding bugs (fielders running in the opposite direction and jumping against the wall when you direct them towards a routine single pickup/Announcers calling the wrong score/etc) and this game devolves into a complete joke of a product.

I don't mind a few graphic glitches if they don't affect outcomes--but this game's serious bugs and crazy fielder selection/playmaking schemes rendered my game vs. my friend nothing but a frustrating, infuriating disaster. And we've played a lot of baseball games, and design games for a living.

Strongly recommend against this game--Sega should be ashamed of itself for shipping a half-completed non-debugged poorly executed product.

OH MY GOODNESS

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 7
Date: March 24, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Okay, first off, this game is rediculously awsome. There, go buy it, then come back to your house and play it. After you've seen how wicked awsome it is, then you can read about it some more while taking deep breaths so you don't faint from the realization of just how cool it really is. GRAPHICS: LOL. I don't need to elaborate. Just remember: It's not real. Go outside and play some real baseball too and then go learn some stuff from the guys on WSB 2K3. The graphics and player models put Disney and Pixar to shame. GAMEPLAY: The best in the business. You don't need to shop around. The only thing that could be cooler about this game is a cooler box. All the Sega boxes look similar. Enough already. Go buy it!!!

WSB hits a homerun!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: January 11, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This is by far the best baseball game for any console. It is most realistic and is most in depth. The graphics are excellent and most players look like themselves. The gameplay is great yet it lacks xbox live capability. there are all the stats that are in real MLB and throught hte year you can watch the # of all star votes so thats neat too. Everything in this game was done with quality and it truly deserves 5 stars.

Review Page: 1 2 3 Next 

Actions