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Much, much better than last year's version

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 2
Date: March 08, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I just purchased the game today, and much to my surprise you will start your franchise off with..spring training?! This year you have an umpire calling strikes and balls (!), the short music openings when the home team goes up to bat, the plays look much more real life too...andI've just started playing the game. pLUS, you have the bonus modes, like how would you have managed game 6 of the World Series last year? And there's the content download on Xbox Live (if Acclaim could have made it Live playable...), so you'll get the stats and rosters for March 1st now.

my only complaint so hard--where's Hideki Matsui? But no biggie, I'm sure e'll be added soon enough.

This game just FEELS alot better. So Acclaim has done a great job. Can MVP. WS2k3, HH, and Inside Pitch measure up?

10 myths and truth about this game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: April 29, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Despite being released over a year ago, All-Star Baseball 2004 is still my choice baseball game for the Xbox. Why? It's the most addictive, fun baseball game I've played. After reading one too many negative reviews about this game, I've decided to speak out. I'm going to address ten issues concerning ASB04 that are brought up to disparage or praise the game. Here they are:

1. Zone and Timed-Hitting modes are broken (i.e."too many pop ups"). Myth. In ASB there are a variety of hits. I see hits down the line, Texas-leaguers, foul-backs, broken-bat hits, lined-hits and grounders to all fields. I have to question people complaining about not getting enough hit variety. One tip I'd like to offer is: Press the X button to activate the power swing on Timed or Zone-hitting (at least once per at bat). You'll notice more hits lined to all fields, unlike on contact hitting, where hits are mostly up the middle.

2. Pitch speeds are too fast. Truth. You make adjustments. There's no shame in starting the game on Rookie level, where you're given more leeway to make solid contact, and working your way up. The timed-hitting mode is a great way to adjust to the realistic speed of the pitches. A batting-practice mode is also included in the game.

3. The pace is too slow. Half-truth. Then this game is simply not for you. If you find baseball boring on TV or radio, you probably won't like ASB since it's almost a dead-on simulation of a real baseball game. The on-field presentation is terrific. The players, the stadiums and the umpires are all lifelike. Sometimes you have to pinch and tell yourself it's not the real thing. The announcing game is the most detailed out of all the console baseball games. Thom Brennaman and Steve Lyons go into at least one deep conversation about a recent MLB topic per game. Overall, this is as close to a simulated broadcast you're going to get in a videogame.

4. Too many homeruns. Half-truth. It really depends on your skill-level. Obviously, on lower difficulty levels (Rookie, timed-hitting), the higher the amount of homers occur. On higher difficulty levels (All-Star, cursor-hitting), homers are less frequent. I get a realistic amount (1-3) in one game on zone hitting on All-Star difficulty.

5. Base-running controls are hard. Myth. It's actually quite easy. To move one base-runner, you hold the advance button Y (or to retreat hold B) and then press the base button on the gamepad (eg.Right=firstbase-runner). To move all base-runners, you press the L-trigger to advance, R to retreat. I'll admit it took me a few games to get use to this system.

6. Franchise mode has a few kinks in it. Truth. There's a trading bug that can cause some frustration. For example, if you trade two players for three players (i.e.you get more players in return), the third player disappears from the game. Because there's no list for excess players, the CPU removes the traded player. One tip obviously is to save the game before making any major trades. Another tip is to free-up space on the active roster (by sending down players to the minors) before making the trade. Another bug is the "position-integrity"bug. The rule is that you must have all the positions on your team filled, including backup corner/middle infielders, or else you'll be frozen on the GM-setup page. The solution is to find a way to fill that position, whether it's through a minor league call-up, free agency or trade.

7. Fielding is difficult. Myth. As an experienced gamer, I find it plays just like any other baseball game. One thing useful is future throws. You press the base you want to throw to before picking up the ball. Consequently, doubleplays are pretty easy to turn. There's an issue with aligning the fielder with the ball indicator (the circle thingy that shows where the ball is going to land). Sometimes you have to place the fielder in front of the indicator instead of in the middle (I suppose it all depends on the trajectory of the ball hit). For the most part, fielding is pretty straightforward.

8. Pitching is too easy. Half-truth. The pitching system simply comes down to selecting the pitch-type, picking a spot on the strike zone and pressing a button. The ball goes correctly to the spot where you targeted the cursor. One complaint is that the aim is too accurate. Pitchers with good control like Zito and Maddux will hit their spots very frequently. But when they begin to tire, they lose a bit of accuracy. When their fatigue meter is nearly depleted, they'll start to hang pitches down the middle of the strikezone. There's also the option to turn off the pitching-cursor to make pitching more challenging.

9. There are glitches in this game. Truth. Baseball is a complex sport with a lot of gray areas concerning the rules and the intricate physics of the game. So, it shouldn't be surprising to see something bizarre occur in a baseball videogame (since we sometimes see them in real life!). In ASB, fielders will suddenly pick up a ball 10ft away from them without budging. This may be related to a vacuum effect that fielders seem to have. The CPU AI plays a good game but they occasionally throw to the wrong base. Hitters will appear to hit balls out of the catcher's mitt. I've seen other really strange things (that probably belong on the TwilightZone) but these flaws normally don't affect the outcome of a game.

10. The game is loaded with fun extras. Absolute truth. It includes a home run derby, scenario mode, schoolyard-pickup mode, stadium tours, a quiz game, player interviews (BuckO'Neill,CalRipken,DerekJeter), an All-TimeLegends roster (Ruth,Cobb,etc), a NegroLeague roster (Satchel,Josh,etc), create-a-player mode, and a franchise mode which includes an in-depth expansion option, where you get to choose from one of 25-30 cities vying for an MLB team. You're definitely getting bang for your buck.

All star baseball 2004

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: March 05, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Great game and definately worth a rating of five stars. Graphics alone are awesome. Plus being able to play with the "Legend" players, and stars of the Negro League are a major plus too. Lots of new options available with this game as well. The game play is excellent, as well as, the total package overall. I agree with Acclaim this is the best baseball game yet, or at least I have seen so far. Try it. I think you will like it.

best baseball game i've ever played

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 15, 2003
Author: Amazon User

2004 is a huge upgrade on previus editions. this game is much improved and all the functions it lacked last year it has now. the presentation is the best ive seen. it is actually about baseball. last years was just a waterfall? definetly recommend this game. only small flaw is the actuall fielding still good, could of been better although.
havent played the rest of this years games but i would highly recomend this game. 5/5 stars easily great game

Better then I thought!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 06, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I was a little worried about buying this game cause I didn't really like last years game... After i got home and started playing i throughly enjoyed it, the animations are realistic, the franchise mode is so detailed it's awsome.. I just hope that they have alot of roster downloads through out the year???

This game is the best baseball game out for Xbox!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: March 06, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is definatly a 5 star!It is the best baseball game out!It is a very fun and adictive game.If you like an awesome sports or baseball game this should definatly be one of your choices.THISGAMEKICKSBUTT!

Greatest baseball game in a long time

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 12, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is some much better then last years game. The batting is so much better. Its not as easy to hit a home run. the graphics are pretty impresive. And the computer AI actully has a brain, that can make the game a challange and more fun.

excellent

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: March 13, 2003
Author: Amazon User

this game is prolly the best game that has been made. it has everything, everything is better, the theme of the throw back era is great. only one thing i really don't like is that it is hard to score runs, and easy to shut your oppent down, but all in all this is a purchase you will not regret.

Great Game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: March 05, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This game is a ton of fun. It is bright and gaudy and grabs your attention right off the bat. Yes, it has some frustrating quirks and glitches (during an attempted 3-6-3 double play, the shortstop fired the ball back to the first baseman in plenty of time to get the runner; unfortunately, the first baseman wasn't covering the bag at the time, the pitcher was, and instead of an inning ending double play, there was a man on first -- who scored on the home run hit by the very next batter) But these gripes aside, the game plays wells, looks terrific, and has enormous replay value. I bought High Heat 2004 and couldn't force myself to play it for more than a few minutes. It was too damn ugly and dull -- and you wanna talk about glitches? Yes, I know you HH fans will send up a wail of indignant protest, "But it's true to the game!" Sorry, I played baseball, it's my favorite sport, and H H has all the luster and appeal of a dodgeball tournament at a prisoner of war camp. All-Star has so much more going for it; from the extra features and game modes, to the player and stadium models, it simply is a very well-done sports video game. Home runs come at an acceptably bloated rate, just as they do in the real game, and yes, if you tune this game right (and you can tune it, H H fans), you will occasionally get locked in a pitchers duel. I had one that went on for twenty-three innings, and ended with a final score of 4 - 3. I lost.
There are many baseball titles coming out this year, and everyone will have an opinion on which is top-dog. Take my advice and rent them first. Decide which one you like. Don't forget, these games are fifty bucks each. I ran out and bought High Heat because I read several favorable reviews, all of which I found to be, at the very best, misleading. I recouped a little of my cash by trading it in on All-Star, but I still wasted money. Don't make the same mistake. I love All-Star 2004. You may not.

Good but....

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 9
Date: March 04, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Would have gotten 5 stars if it were Xbox live compatible... At least you can get the rosters downloaded.

Graphics are pretty decent, it's much better than previous seasons.

Sound is a little weak, announcing is pretty good, but the crowd noises sound like they are coming through a tunnel. Bat cracking, pitching, sound of the ball hitting glove are nice, very realistic.

Gameplay... Oh man. It could have been so much better than it is, but it's still pretty good. Infield control is incredibly tight, but when it comes to fielding the outfield, oh jeez, forget it. Unless you get under that ball, it's going to take a bounce to the wall, and you will be running in circles trying to pick the ball up! What happened here? Good question.

Franchise mode is deep, stats are tight, home run derby is fun, the batting practice is very good (you'll need it at first).

Overall, it's a good game, not the best, I think High Heat 2k4 is going to be tops this year as far as a simulation of Baseball, but I am enjoying my season so far, I'd wait and see if you can get this on sale if you MUST have a baseball game NOW. Otherwise, I can recommend it, but I can't stand behind the recomendation. I enjoy the game, but others with a taste for arcade ball won't really be very happy, and there could be quite a few stat/sim heads that won't like this either. It's a middle of the road baseball game.

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