Power Pros may not mean much to us on this side of the pond but for those in the know, this game has its roots. Konami’s Power Pros series has been on more then ten systems, multiple game variations and been around for a loonnnng time. For those North Americans waiting for this series to hit shelves here, the wait is over. MLB Power Pros Baseball, for the Nintendo Wii was released October 2nd, 2007 with everything fans of the series expect and extras out the wahzoo.
Down to the basics, this is a baseball game, same rules, same objective – but this is where Power Pros branches off from other baseballers. The first thing you notice about this game is that although the intro video is stunning, fast paced and gets you excited, all the players are little cartoons with big floppy feet, no nose, mouth, and legs. As a Major League branded game, the only way to tell what player you are using besides the name on their jerseys would be facial hair and eyes… which are actually pretty accurate! The rest of the graphics are pretty standard for that of a PS2 (which makes sense as this game is also available on the PS2) or Gamecube game, a sort of mix between detail, smoothness, and lots of pretty colours. Although realistic, stadiums (when did the Skydome get renamed the Rogers Centre in Toronto?) are filled with paper fans and poorly detailed walls. Sound is as acceptable as any other baseball game. An announcer, bat cracks, cheers and boos fill out the audio aspect simply and effectively.
The menu upon beginning the game is filled with simple, colourful squares offering up all the options and game settings a baseball fan could ever want. In fact, it’s all a bit overwhelming to the average gamer. Not knowing where to begin, it felt like the first day of high school all over again. This game WILL last you a long time. There is just so much to do-from playing exhibition games and home run derbies, to creating your dream team complete with up to 10 personalized Mii characters. As well, you can collect pro points from winning games to buy new stadiums, playing styles, uniforms and even baseball cards of real players, this game has plenty to keep you busy. To top it all off you can play against different difficulties of AI or a friend.
The biggest shock I had coming into testing and reviewing this game was the control setup. Thinking along the lines of the ever fun Wii Sports baseball game, I assumed the majority of this title would be played using the motion sensor and IR of the Wiimote. I was incorrect in this assumption. Not only is there no point-and-click action to decide what menu choices or pitching style to execute, but beyond the Wiimote option that lets you play swinging the controller like a real ball or bat (which includes homerun derby, the ability to import your Mii’s into the game and exhibition mode) there is no motion in this baseball ocean. The upside to this is that you have choices in control. You can either plug in the nunchuck or classic controller accessories, or go one step forward and two steps back and use your dusty Gamecube controller to play. Reminiscent of old school gaming, the controls are very similar to a NES baseball game in its simplistic yet effectively tight setup.
This baseball game has more options and extras in it than I have seen in any other sports game in my reviewing career, and with this many gameplay types, it feels more like three baseball themed games in one. If you enjoy anime, or baseball, or are looking for a game that covers almost all aspects of baseball, look no further then MLB Power Pros Baseball. If you hate the cute cartoony look and old school controls, try something like The Bigs by 2K games, and a baseball manager simulator, and a college life simulator, and…
Graphics: 3.0/ 5.0
Gameplay 3.5 / 5.0
Sound 3.0 / 5.0
Replay value 4.5 / 5.0
With the MLB All-Star game coming up, 2K Sports has released a free demo of their upcoming The BIGS 2. This demo, currently available on Xbox Live and soon to be available on the PlayStation Network will support two players (locally only), and allows players to try out the new Batter’s Wheelhouse and new power ups. The demo will alow players to play a three inning game as either the American League All-Stars or the National League All-Stars as well as be able to play the home Run Pinball mode in an all new Las Vegas venue.
