i mean cmon acclaim you cant get any better ok the graphics are better but the glitches are the same like where you dive for a ball ten feet away and it transports in to youre glove its just sad if you want a good baseball game for the year 2004 you should get MVP baseball 2004 thats the best baseball game on the market right now if i were you i would not get this game if you get this game im telling you youre wastin youre money

I got this game for Christmas (2003) so I have had almost 3 months to play with it and get used to it. The fact that I've had so long to experiment with this game is significant, because if I had written this review right after I received the game (as it appears some of the other reviewers did) I might not have given this game such a high score.

This game is very challenging, definitely. It is not like other baseball games which are unrealistically easy to play. This is not the type of game in which you will be hitting home runs with 170 pound shortstops.

In the long run, however, it is a much more realistic game. The pitches are especially neat. While some games only allow pitchers to have the basic "fastball," "change," "curve," "slider," etc., this game has more specific pitches. Examples are circle change, 2 seam fastball, 4 seam fastball, knuckle curve, slurve, etc.

This game is more realistic from a hitting perspective as well. At first, you will find hitting very difficult. Do not be frustrated; you will eventually improve. I suggest looking only at the strike zone, not at the ball when it is pitched. There is an option allowing the placement of the pitch to be shown, and that helps a lot. That being said, this feature by no means makes hitting easy. Unlike other games, where you just have to get the timing of the pitch down in order to hit, this game requires you to get the timing and the placement down (all in a matter of 2 or so seconds). Ultimately this a more realistic way of approaching hitting. To some it may not be as much fun as the home run filled games you can have in other games, but to baseball fans, this game will be rewarding.

I have to say that baseball purists, actual fans of the game, might appreciate this game more than a kid who justs wants to play a little baseball. Getting used to the game takes a little (not too much, but a little) practice. The game is definitely geared towards the knowledgable fan. It keeps track of stats that most people don't pay attention to, like OPS and OBP. This attention to detail is very much appreciated.

This game also has plenty of side features you can entertain yourself with. Like many sports games nowadays, this game has scenarios. They are enjoyable, giving you specific tasks in game situations to accomplish. Another neat aspect is the fact that you can unlock other teams, most of whom are made up of legend players. Therefore, it is possible to play with Babe Ruth, Satchel Paige, Ted Williams, et al.

I would recommend this game to baseball fans who have a little patience to learn the game. If you take the time to master the game (and this shouldn't take too long) you will be rewarded with a rich and entertaining game.

hands down. the most important attribute is the gameplay. it's the most realistic out there, which makes pitching and hitting fun. the discrepancy in the speeds of different pitches (eg fastball - changeup) makes the game. pedro is deadly in this one... still not as good as Baseball Stars for the original NES, but 2nd best for sure.