15 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
Swing! It's a Hit!
Date of Review: Dec 19, 2005
The Bottom Line: It's great for people who enjoy the Mario series or sports games. It's a lot of wacky fun, and most fun when played with other people.
I actually don't own this game yet. It is currently wrapped up and under the Christmas tree for me. However, my good friend Josh does own the game, and for the past several weeks, we've found it to be a Saturday night favorite. We trash talk, he beats me, repeat. I haven't won once against him, so the fact that I keep playing anyway should tell you how much I like the game.
Basics
Your favorite Mario characters are at it again in the world of sports, this time playing baseball. You'll see some of your favorite characters like Mario, Luigi, Daisy, Peach, Bowser, Toad, and Yoshi. There are also more obscure playable characters, like Birdo, Dixie Kong, and Shy Guys. Some players must be unlocked. Each character has defined strengths and weaknesses (like one could be an excellent batter but a terrible fielder), and falls in one of the following categories: Balance (like Mario and Luigi)), Technique (like Daisy and Peach), Power (like Bowser and Wario), and Speed (Like Yoshi and Noki) Each character also has a talent, which may include body checking or special catches. These can be viewed by pushing "Z" on the character selection screen. Each player is compatible with other players (like Mario with Luigi and Peach) and will play better when put with those characters.
There are different fields to play on, like Mario's classic one, and also ones with gimmicks, like Yoshi's, which has pirahna plants that like to eat your ball and spit it out elsewhere on the field. You can start off playing 5 fields, but there are unlockables.
The graphics are the typical cutesy cartoonish ones that have come to be associated with the Mario series on GC. That said, they are perfect for this game. The fields are done in rich colors with lots of detail, down to the members of the crowd (apparently, Shy Guys have nothing better to do than watch baseball games).
I haven't found anything outstanding about sound either way. The characters make little remarks of joy or disgust corresponding to how they play. An announcer calls strikes and outs. These sounds, while somewhat noticable, aren't really something I pay attention to.
Each field has its own background music, which plays throughout the entire game. My favorite is Princess Peach's, because it plays a funky version of the original Mario theme.
Gameplay
Gameplay is fairly straightfoward. I'll give a basic overview, though there is much more to learn. Batting and pitching take place with "A." To bunt, press "B." Pitches can be thrown as curves, slow, etc. Each character gains "star skills" as they make good plays. These can be used as hits or pitches by pressing "R" then holding "A." You can steal bases with "Y" or go back with "X." It's easily played by the average person who is familiar with video games, particularly on the GC console. It has similar controls to Mario Power Tennis and other games.
I've played mostly in two player mode. You can play 5, 7, or 9 innings that way, with the mercy rule (10 points) on or off. In single player mode, there is a Challenge mode against Bowser, in which you play other teams to try to get those players to join your team. There is also a mini-game mode, which includes little silly games like trying to hit homeruns.
Cons:
This game probably has more longtime enjoyment when played against friends, when the trash talking and good natured ribbing can take place! :)
Recommended for:
Fans of Mario, fans of sport games, people who like to have fun playing goofy games, people who aren't too serious about their baseball games
If you like this, I also recommend...
Mario Power Tennis, Mario Kart: Double Dash!, the Mario Party series
