‘All-Star Baseball 2001’

Nintendo 64

One challenge for any baseball video game is to differentiate itself from a host of other baseball games. The “All-Star Baseball,” “Triple Play” and “Ken Griffey Jr.” games for the N-64 have all been very similar. While it has the advantage of being the only new baseball game for the system this year, “All-Star Baseball 2001” does little else to distinguish itself.

“All-Star Baseball 2001” offers fairly standard play options: league play, exhibitions, arcade play, home run derby and batting practice. You also have the ability to create your own players and make transactions between the different teams.

Like most baseball games, the graphics are outstanding. Each ballpark is rendered in incredible detail, and big-name players’ faces especially are very realistic looking. The animation on the game is a bit clunky, however. Batters’ swings in particular are not very smooth.

Anyone who has watched any baseball this season has probably seen the ads, which feature Tony Gwynn spraying balls all over the field during batting practice. The ad boasts the “total control batting” feature, which allows players to lock on to a pitch and direct where it is hit.

The name of this feature should be changed to “total crap batting.” With time, it’s obvious a player could develop the skills, but there has yet to be a game where the bizarre squares, diamonds and cross-hairs actually aid in batting. In “All-Star,” like most baseball games, the easiest way to hit is to simply turn all that stuff off.

The main element that has been left out of “All-Star” is the fun. It doesn’t feel like a game made by people who enjoy playing or watching baseball. There is no crack to the bat, no thrill to the home run and ultimately no real fun in playing the game.

The only really amusing feature is throwing the old beanball. You can place where you want to throw the ball very accurately, and the batter reacts accordingly. A player hit in the head recovers differently than a player hit in the knee. Beware: After hitting three batters, your pitcher will be ejected.

“All-Star Baseball 2001” provides current rosters, familiar options and exceptional graphics. If, however, you are looking for a truly fun baseball game, you would do better to play “Baseball Stars” on the original Nintendo.

2 Stars

Rating based on a 5 Star scale.