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A Decent Game

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 5 / 11
Date: October 18, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I have mixed feelings about this game. I've always loved the Mario Sports games. They're usually very action-packed, fun to play with friends, and easy to play. The thing I've always loved the most about them is the vast differences in the characters. With any of the Mario Sports titles you can choose someone who fits your style, be it the strong and slow Bowser to the lightning-quick Yoshi. It's what makes the games in this series so much fun.

Where I think this game falls short is the characters. Not in the variety of characters--there is a VAST amount of different characters to choose from--but rather in the difference between the characters. Take, for example, Yoshi. He's one of the fastest guys in the game. You can bunt for a single with him. He can steal a lot of bases. But compare him to Bowser, who's the slowest guy in the game, and there's not too much of a difference. Sure--you're probably not going to bunt for a single with Bowser, but his lack of speed just isn't.....it's not something that necessarily hurts having him. I don't think the characters are really balanced. You would think they would be more extreme--that's what the series has always been known for. Someone like Bowser or DK, as powerful and slow as they're rated, should be able to hit homeruns OFTEN, and thrown out running to first from left field. There should always be a downside to having a powerful character (and an upside, for that matter). Or Yoshi, who's as fast as he is, should be a pretty poor hitter. I just didn't feel a real sense of balance in the characters like in other Mario Sports titles. It seems that no matter how well someone is rated at pitching, it doesn't make much of a difference as to how well or 'unhittable' they pitch; you can pretty much use anybody to get the job done. Batting ratings solely have to do with Power, and nothing to do with Contact-ability.

A few people were complaining about the stadiums. Like anything Mario-related, they threw quite a few wacky and quirky things in the outfield to make the game interesting. Although all of them are annoying while you're in the field, some can be funny (watching a Toad get hit by a rolling barrel in DK's field and hearing him scream is pretty funny). I personally don't care a whole lot about the things they've got going on in the outfield, because Mario's field is a normal field. If I want to play a normal game of baseball I just have to play in his stadium. If I want to play in a wacky stadium I can play in one. Since it's really an option, I can't see blaming the game for putting it in. It's nice here and there, because the 'routine fly ball' no longer becomes a definite out, which can make the game interesting.

As far as playability goes, it's not a very hard game. You'll actually find when playing versus a friend that you won't get a ton of hits, and very few homeruns. Just like any Mario Sports game, the controls are very basic, and I can't decide if I think that's a good or bad thing. It gets annoying and frustrating when fielding because you can't change the player you're controlling, and the game doesn't always give you the right person. When someone bunts it's always a question as to who you control (you can't see the catcher) and so more often than not they'll get on base because I couldn't find my fielder. Sometimes the game will change who you're controlling and it'll mess you up. Baserunning controls are a bit difficult. I can't understand why, with the game's design being so similar in design to RBI Baseball, they couldn't simply have the running controls be B + Up to go to second, and A + right to go back to first. Instead it's a combination of X and Y, and way too often a player will be standing still in the middle of the basepath and you didn't know it. Double plays happen all the time on line-drives, as the characters are almost to the next base by the time you can tell them to go back.

Part of the fun of playing MVP Baseball was the ability you have to choose where you're going to slide on the base, things like that, but in this game they slide for you. The characters never have to make a tag; they just need to catch the ball to get you out. Again, it's a Mario title--I wouldn't expect the game to have all the little nuances of a baseball game, but it would be nice.

As far as the graphics go, they're not bad. I think Mario Power Tennis has far crisper graphics, but I don't think this game's value is detracted by its graphics. They're very cartooney. The sound is fine. None of the tracks really stand out, but none of them really grate on your nerves, either. Standard Mario sound. The one thing that really annoys me about the sound, though, is the umpire. He has maybe five words that he says throughout the entire game, but he says them in the most annoying way possible. After about an inning you get sick of hearing the guy calling balls and strikes. I'm not sure why they couldn't have a normal voice say it, or even Mario for that matter (and I'm not a big fan of HIS voice, but it's much better than the one they've got now).

The game also has these things called Team Stars. Basically, they're special powers. Some of the characters can throw near-unhittable pitches, some can hit the ball and have it react crazy, things like that. Reminds me a lot of Backyard Baseball, if you've ever played that. I don't particularly like the star plays that you can do, but again--it's an option. You can take them out of the game if you want to, so I can't blame the game for having them in the first place. Some can be kind of fun. I don't think they necessarily detract from the game, or make much of a difference, if you think about it. With the amount of special pitches thrown in comparison to normal pitches in the game--it's really not a very big deal.

The AI isn't extremely difficult to fool, which can be irritating. You could have a lead baserunner who's a foot away from crossing the plate, and a runner who just made it to first, and the AI will throw it home no matter what--even though it's obvious that they don't have a chance to get the guy out. It's not a huge deal, but it just means you can take your guy on first and move him to second safely because the AI isn't programmed well. I like having to EARN my bases; little things like that annoy me. They use their Star pitches at inappropriate times; you'd think they'd use them for a third strike at an opportune time, but they don't. It just feels random.

As far as the minigames go, I haven't played all of them. I played the Toy Park and liked it, and also the Homerun Derby, which were both fun. I haven't tried the other ones, so I don't have anything to say about them.

I don't know. I really wanted this game to be a lot of fun--and when playing a friend it is, arguably, fun. When playing the AI it's boring. As much as I'd like to give this five stars as another top-notch title in the Mario Sports series, I just don't see it. It seems that the game couldn't decide between being a crazy, ridiculously extreme style and a conservative, realistic style, and it ended up somewhere in the middle. Which is the same rating that I give it.

baseball game for the kids

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 4 / 8
Date: November 18, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Mario finally has his own baseball game. From a visual standpoint, this game is very impressive. Lots of colorful characters we all know and love, as well as lively ballparks and smooth sports action.

This one, however, is really for the kids. This is due to the cartoonish, gimmicky style of play that Mario Baseball has to offer. For example, Donkey Kong doesn't use a bat when he steps up to the plate, he uses a boxing glove. A couple of other creatures use rods. One one of the ballfields there is a stream running through the outfield, and on another, giant plants that will gobble up the baseball. This isn't baseball in the purest form, but more of a Saturday cartoon version of the sport. But with all the colorful graphics and cool sounds, I doubt the kids will mind at all.

Mom Finally Finds Game to Enjoy with Son

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: December 18, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Hi, I am not usually one to write reviews, but this one is well in deserving. My son, who is six, plays his Game Cube daily;--usually he asks me to join him and I am not one for video games. Mario Baseball is one of the only few games that I will play with him, as it is (as said in the other reviews) a short game. It is a fun thing to do if you want to take a break and do something non-continuous; especially if you are a Mom and very busy all the time.

Obviously this is not EA sports, but each of the characters have their own strengths and weaknesses;--just like Jeter and ARod and you have to adjust to them accordingly. And yes, Mario and Donkey Kong cheat; they hit home runs all the time, especially in the challenge level when you are about to win!!!

This is great!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: December 19, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This super Mario game has gone better with baseball! All of the playable characters are based on the entire super Mario history, from Mario's allies to his enemies. This game is packed with all original baseball rules; including stats, stamina, techniques, etc., special batting and pitching effects for each player, rookie to superstar experience mode, player vs. player expedition, and baseball minigames for up to four players creates an entertaining video game for everyone!

A new twist to Mario sports

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: January 03, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Mario baseball is one of the best games i have ever played. The graphics are unbelievable and you won't get tired of playing it. Whenever i get a video game i usually get tired of it in about a week. But i've played it since i got it for my birthday a month ago. It's not hard to play and good for young children too! There are a few bad things though. You may get frusturated. The bottom line is that it is a great game for all ages.

Addicting and Awesome

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: February 03, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I love this game. I can't stop playing it. There are at least 30-40 different characters to choose from and all with thier own unique strength. The batting and pitching is like a dream. Superpowers unique to the more important characters (powers such as Mario's Fireball pitch and hit and Bower's Bullet Bill pitch and hit) evaporate the tides ( I don't even know what that means...). The only flaw at all is a slight base running problem where characters run every time a ball is in play, which often results in undeserved outs due to pop flies. After you spend a couple days on it, you get the hang of it, and you will find it has some of the most fun gameplay and multiplayer, particularly, of recent games. BUY IT!!! *please

Going, going... where?

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: October 20, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I am a firm believer in buying a game and finishing it. I pre-reserved Mario Baseball and got it the first day out. When I finally sat down into playing it...

Let's start with the tutorial. It is very fun and easy to comprehend. The graphics are crisp, clear, and goofy enough to keep a high fun factor. Mario Baseball's sound effects are comical and appropiate to keep the sports experience fresh too.

Eventually, you will get out of the tutorial and be able to grasp enough to start a story mode and play against other human players. However, I could not get into any of these modes. This game felt way too much like Mario Party, which I do not have a problem with. However, walking around a virtual world to compete against other teams that are obviously better than you is not a lot of fun. I found myself disappointed that the skill level of your default team is very pitiful compared to your rivals. I smiled inside and out hoping that it would become enjoyable, but the story mode was just a wash... Don't get me wrong... I love Mario Golf and Kart, but Baseball was just a strikeout.

Outside of the strikes against M. Baseball, I am really impressed with the originality of the mini-games that are offered. This is one of the aspects of the game that kept me going. The piranha and balloon games (do not remember exact names) are highly addictive. Since I am a Mario fan, I do recommend this game but be fair to yourself and buy it at $25 instead of the full price of $49.99 like I did :(.

Mario Baseball THE BEST MARIO SPORTS GAME EVER!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: May 08, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game is great! It really helped me learn about baseball. There are 5 ways to play, Exibition Game: You pick a team captain, then 9 regular players or any captains who were not picked, then pick a field to play on: Mario Stadium, Peach's Castle, Yoshi Park, DK Jungle, or Bowser's Castle. Challenge: Bowser sends a letter of challenge to Mario, Peach, Yoshi, Wario, and Donkey Kong telling them to play his team but all 5 team captains have the same idea of playing Bowser's team and play each other. You can pick Mario, Peach, Yoshi, Wario, and Donkey Kong and you have a team picked for you. Then you have to beat the other 4 capains' teams until you can play Bowser. There are 4 levels: Mushroom, Flower, Star, Special. Minigames: There are 7 minigames, Bob-Bomb Derby: Hit homeruns and the ball becomes a firework and you get points. Wallball: Throw balls through walls and get points. Chain Chomp Sprint: Collect gems while Chain Chomp sleeps but if he wakes up you're dead! Piranha Panic: Shoot eggs at Piranha Plants while they try to shoot you with bombs. Barrel Batter: Hit Barrels, person with most hit barrels win. Star Dash: Run around the field and collect coins. And a locked Minigame. Toy Field: Hit the ball and try to hit icons on the field. Practice: Practice Batting, Pitching, Base-running, Fielding or Free Play. Well thats Mario Baseball! I highly recomend it to a sports fan or a Mario fan or both!

Great game for anyone!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: February 15, 2007
Author: Amazon User

I hate baseball, but I love this game!It has a great selection of characters to play with!!I think I like this game so much for these reasons:
- the graphics aren't bad
- the feids are all unique
- it introduced me to some new characters that I now really like
- the characters (as I said before) are great
- It's not too easy, not too hard
- Batting isn't that hard for once
- Fielding is really fun, and pitching is easy
I never get tired of this game! Two thumbs up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the best best best game ever

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: November 26, 2005
Author: Amazon User

i like this game because there are all of the different carecters i like the toads.me and my friends love playing the game.we arent very good but we laugh about it.one time my friend said i would hit a homerun and i did .iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii looooooooooooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvve mario superstarbaseball..........................

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