All-Star Baseball 2003

Acclaim Sports' baseball franchise continues with All-Star Baseball 2003, which features a new Franchise Mode and option for Expansion Play, allowing players to select a city, team logo, and ballpark before drafting from a list of unprotected players from the 30 existing teams. Players can then take their created team through 20 consecutive seasons in an attempt to build a dynasty. During the franchise, players will lose athletes to injury, free agency, trades, and retirement, but rookies can be called up from the minor leagues to help fill the vacancies. Also making their first appearance are baseball cards, licensed by Donruss, which can be collected, traded, and used to unlock certain features such as throwback uniforms, classic teams, and legendary players. To open a pack of six cards, players trade in points earned from achieving certain milestones during a game. Three types of stand-alone trivia games are included as well, with two teams challenging each other through a series of questions. Each correct answer results in a type of hit, while an incorrect answer results in an out. The player with the highest score at the end of nine innings wins the trivia contest. Returning modes of play include Exhibition, Season, All-Star Game, Home Run Derby, and Batting Practice. The action is called by a three-man team of Thom Brennaman, Steve Lyons, and Bob Brenly as players bat and throw using signature stances and deliveries. The batter-pitcher interface is once again cursor based, adjusted to reflect each player's performance during the 2002 season. In addition to all 30 teams and stadiums from 2002, players can opt to play in eight classic or ten fantasy stadiums. A Cooperstown team is also available, featuring such stars as Reggie Jackson and Yogi Berra.

PITCHING

PRE-PITCH SELECT

D-Pad or Left Analog Stick = move pitch target
Right Analog Stick = pitch options menu
X, Circle, Square, Triangle or R1 Button = select pitch type
L1 Button = cycle infield defensive positioning menu
L2 Button = cycle outfield defensive positioning menu

POST-PITCH SELECT

D-Pad or Left Analog Stick = move pitch target
X Button = throw pitch
Circle Button = pick off to 1st
Triangle Button = pick off to 2nd
Square Button = pick off to 3rd
R1 Button = activate base runner window
R2 Button = brush back pitch
L1 Button = activate base runner window
L2 Button = pitch out

MID-WINDUP

D-Pad or Left Analog Stick = move pitch target
Circle Button = pick off to 1st for left-handers
Square Button = pick off to 3rd for right-handers

FIELDING

BEFORE THE BALL IS FIELDED

D-Pad or Left Analog Stick = move highlighted fielder
X Button = future throw to home
Circle Button = future throw to 1st base
Triangle Button = future throw to 2nd base
Square Button = future throw to 3rd base
R1 or R2 Button = dive, jump or scale wall
L1 Button = future throw to cut-off or relay man
L2 Button = switch control to player nearest ball

AFTER THE BALL IS FIELDED

D-Pad or Left Analog Stick = move player
X Button = throw to home
Circle Button = throw to 1st base
Triagnle Button = throw to 2nd base
Square Button = throw to 3rd base
L1 Button = throw to relay man
L2 Button = switch fielder

BATTING

PRE-PITCH SELECT

D-Pad or Left Analog Stick = move batting cursor
D-Pad + Triangle Button = steal
Right Analog Stick = tilt batting cursor
Square Button = toggle contact or power icon
Triangle Button = steal signal
X Button = practice swing
Circle Button = show sacrifice bunt
L1 Button = increase all runners leads
L2 Button = initiate pitch/location guess
R1 Button = decrease all runners leads

PITCH/LOCATION GUESS

D-Pad = select location
Square, Triangle, Circle or R1 Button = select corresponding pitch type
L2 Button = deactivate pitch/location guess

POST-PITCH SELECT AND MID-WINDUP

D-Pad or Left Analog Stick = move batting cursor
D-Pad + Triangle Button = signal steal
Right Analog Stick = move battin cursor
Square Button = toggle contact or power icon
X Button = swing
Circle Button = drag bunt
L1 Button = increase all runners leads
R1 Button = decrease all runners leads

BALL IN PLAY

D-Pad = indicate base for individual runner select
Triangle Button = advance single runner
Circle Button = return single runner
L1 Button = advance all runners
L2 Button = stop all runners
R1 Button = return all runners ~ Keith Adams, All Game Guide

All-Star Baseball 2003 offers the most complete set of features found in a console baseball game yet released, and represents the most substantial upgrade to the series since the move from the PlayStation to the N64 in 1998. The ability to create an expansion team with its own logo, mascot, and stadium, and then take it through 20 consecutive seasons demonstrates that Acclaim is at least serious about one sport in their shaky library.

Of course, the graphics are still as impressive as they were in the last three versions, with motion-captured animation for just about every move you can think of, from bare-handed throws to first-baseman scoops off the dirt. Batters have eerily realistic faces, and wring the handle of the bat with both hands before setting into their stance. Each pitcher's delivery is captured perfectly, from Hideo Nomo's tornado wind-up to El Duque's high leg kick. Wild throws, over-the-shoulder grabs, and shoestring catches are also here, though the frequency of such plays is higher than you'd expect.

The batter-pitcher interface has undergone a few changes since its debut on the Nintendo 64, but it is essentially the same. One benefit is the challenge involved in hitting pitches, especially the weaker the batter is in real life. A drawback is it is not as intuitive as simply watching the ball as it leaves the pitcher's hand and timing it as it crosses the plate. The system has also lost some detail over the years, as earlier games had the cursor shrinking in size depending on its location over the strike zone -- perfectly mimicking the hot and cold zones of actual players.

Pitching has remained the same, which is good, because it's hard to imagine a more realistic system. Players can aim anywhere they want to, and the pitcher will try his best to reach that mark based on his ability. Erratic pitchers will miss the mark considerably, making for an interesting strategy when using certain pitchers. Do you dare throw a curve ball out of the strike zone, knowing it could hang over the plate? Or do you throw another fastball, knowing the hitter may be anticipating it? The ebb and flow of a batter-pitcher match-up is one of All-Star Baseball's biggest strengths, as well as the "feel" of a Randy Johnson fastball streaking across the plate.

The biggest problem is the clumsy fielding system. Fixed camera angles show limited views of the outfield, fielders are sometimes offscreen, and balls never quite seem to be caught with the glove. High Heat MLB 2003 is more engaging in this area, with a camera system showing players the entire field and responsive controls allowing for quick throws and smooth transitions between catching the ball and releasing it. While the motion-captured animation in All-Star Baseball is at times spectacular, there is a small lag between the sequence and the throw, making fielding seem rather disjointed. Players also can't adjust camera angles like they could with earlier games in the series.

Most of the bugs found in previous versions, those game-killing glitches that have sullied All-Star Baseball's reputation over the years, look to have been sufficiently squashed. The game is more playable than in past seasons, though there are still some questionable decisions made by computer fielders. For one example, there appears to be an invisible zone between the infield and outfield that athletes refuse to cross, even when it looks like they could easily make a catch. Whether this is done intentionally to allow for more singles or just a fault of the game itself is unclear. Also, base runners still have to be "babysat" on ground balls hit to the infield, as they are slow to return to the base after taking a lead.

Despite the awkward fielding system, limited camera angles, and inability to modify individual aspects of gameplay, the powerful tandem of great visuals and extensive modes of play will surely satisfy fans of the series wanting more substance over flash. While High Heat Major League Baseball 2003 is overall an better playing game of baseball, it can't compare to the visual pizzazz and exquisite depth associated with creating a team from scratch or managing a team for a staggering 20 seasons. In this regard, All-Star Baseball lives up to its name. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide