Major League Baseball: Featuring Ken Griffey Jr.
Reviewed by Joe Mietus
Ken Griffey Jr.'s Major League Baseball is a great game for both baseball fans
and non-fans alike. It has enough features to make the most die-hard of baseball
fanatics to go wild, but also enough fun and great gameplay to make anyone want
to add it to their collection of games.
Graphics 8.5 out of 10
The graphics as a whole are great. The players' all have distinctive features and
don't appear polygonal. The stadiums are magnificent because they were all
rendered from the actual blueprints that they originally used to build the stadiums.
There is also an actual crowd, not just a flat surface like in NFL Quarterback Qlub.
All of the motion is smooth and realistic. Some times I wish that the camera would
be a bit closer to the action, because when it is close, it really shows what the
Nintendo 64 can do.
Music and Sound 7 out of 10
The music in this game is decent. The crowd and organ all are very realistic, but
it is all played at random. For example, the fans will cheer for both teams. And if
the count is 2 and 3 with two outs and runners on the corners, fans won't go wild,
also the organ won't pipe out a rendition of charge! or something else to heighten
the tension. But when someone gets a base hit, the fans will clap and cheer like you
just won the World Series. One very good thing about the game was the announcer.
For each and every player that goes up to bat, he will say the position and name of
that player. It sounds very realistic and all of the names are pronounced correctly.
He ever rolls his 'r' for Roberto Alomar and other players with Hispanic names. Also
throughout the game, Ken Griffey Jr. himself will make occasional comments like,
"what a catch", "that ball is outta here", "he's got a canon", and "this game is a pitcher's
duel". It is pretty cool at first, but after about a week you will probably turn that off.
Game Challenge 5.5 out of 10
This was the one disappointing factor about this game. Even one the hardest mode
(there are 3, Rookie, Veteren, and All-Star) the computer AL isn't that good. For
example, in a run-down the player with the ball will chase you with it while the
player who is covering the base you are going to will just stand their. I have never
gotten out in a run-down. As a result, I steal every pitch. If my guy doesn't hit it, I
can easily make it back to first. This is the one thing that could really turn a true
baseball fan from buying this game.
Game Play-Fun 8.5 out of 10
The over-all fun of this game is great. It includes Exhibition mode, Season mode,
(with full and half season plus an option called Pennent Race in which you just play
the last month) Home Run Derby, and World Series. You can also have a fantasy draft
in which it makes every player a free agent and all the teams can take turns picking
players just like in the real draft. The Home Run Derby is fun and can be played by 4
players. In the season mode the Sports Wire (the games version of ESPN) keeps track
of the league leaders in every category. At the end of the season, awards will be
given out to the best player in each category. (Home Runs, RBI's, Double's) It will also
award real awards such as the M.V.P. and Cy Young.
Rumble Pak 2 out of 10
The rumble pak should not have been an option to be used with this game. For
example, when you hit the ball it always shakes, and feels very unrealistic. This
is maybe because I have played a lot of baseball and know what it feels like. I don't
know, but what ever it is, it sure isn't done well. It also shakes when you catch the
ball and that is also very dumb.
Frustration
Nothing about this game frustrated me. If anything, it would be the lack of actual
game play realism. The graphic realism is great, shadows move as the game
progresses. (They follow the sun.) Umpires will signal a foul ball. Base coaches
will signal players to slide. Fans will even leave if the game is a blow out. But the
computer players have about the same knowledge of the game of baseball's linguistics
as a bunch of Little Leaguers.
Replayability 9-6 out of 10
The 9 is if you will mostly be playing two player. The six if you will mostly be
playing one player. If you can play two player mode with someone else, then this
would be a great game to own. If you don't have anyone else to play with and would
be stuck playing one player most of the time, I would rent this and other baseball
games first before you bought it.
Game Value 7 out of 10
If you really like baseball, then this is the game for you, but I do suggest that you
rent other baseball games first. Especially All-Star Baseball '98. This is because
the two games are very different. In the categories that Griffey is strong, All-Star
is weak and vice versa.
Control 10 out of 10
This is the one thing that really makes this game stand out. I have never played a
baseball game where you can easily position the players to get ready for a bunt, or
the long ball of a power hitter. You yourself could easily make that sacrifice bunt
if placed correctly. You are always in control. You always are aware of where the
ball is and have no problem getting that hot grounder down the line, or the fast line
drive up the middle. When you want to try to turn a double play, you can do it with
the same elegance as Tinker, to Evens, to Chance. This is the greatest control that
I played in any baseball game, and maybe even any game ever. This will change how
future sports games are designed in the future.
Balance 9 out of 10
When I say balance, I am referring to the balance between the pitcher and the batter.
In past games the teams with the best hitters was favored over the team with
better pitchers. In this game, that is not the fact. The pitcher and batter dual is
very realistic, and is close to how it is in real baseball. In past games it was
almost impossible to be walked, but in this game, the count often goes 3 and 2.
This is the one thing that is probably the most relistic in comparison to real
baseball in this game.
Overall 8.5 out of 10
All in all this is a great game. Just be sure to rent all other baseball games before
you get any of them.