Super Mega Baseball

Super Mega Baseball should probably be your next purchase if you moderately enjoy baseball, either from a nostalgic “I like home run minigames” or an “I actually watch MLB” angle.

Super Mega Baseball is a blast to play in short bursts. The controls are simple and intuitive, and the difficulty can be adjusted to any skill level. There are no online game modes, but the season mode is surprisingly deep, with a leveling system and complete stat tracking that keep me coming back for more. The lackluster presentation, however, hinders the overall experience, making it difficult to play more than a few games per sitting.

Super Mega Baseball marks the first release from Canadian developer Metalhead Software. Currently only available on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 as a cross-buy release, the $19.99 baseball title offers a marvellous distraction from the rigmarole of everyday life. As an arcade game, it's not going to put you in the Yankees roster and allow you to live out a power fantasy – but it's arguably just as enjoyable.

In the end, the game perfectly blends a fun look and great baseball mechanics that can be played by everyone. The Ego system opens the game up to being a suitable 'child’s first baseball game', while also presenting a welcome change for the most hardcore simulation baseball players. We can’t recommend it highly enough.

For those that manage to master the controls, Super Mega Baseball offers a rewarding experience. The dynamic visuals offer a refreshing change from the somewhat drab realism of other baseball games and the ego system means there’s always the option of adding extra challenge to the game should you get competent. It’s just a shame that the majority of casual gamers – to whom the bright arcade-like visuals will appeal most – will likely struggle to get a handle on the complex control system.  The lack of any true tutorial system has truly done the game a disservice, as someone unfamiliar with a b...

None of that diminishes Super Mega Baseball as an arcade sports video game for the ages, worthy of the likes of Tecmo Super Bowl, NBA Jam, Mutant League Football and Backyard Baseball. No sports video game of 2014 approached its subject with as much imagination as Super Mega Baseball. In such a rigid genre with high barriers to new ideas, this game is a legitimate breakthrough.

Super Mega Baseball is one of the best baseball games out at the moment. Sure it may not be a licensed game like The Show, but the gameplay is as good as the official MLB game. There’s a surprising amount of depth within this game, allowing players to build a team how they wish be it focusing on being strong in bat, or having a strong fielding selection. The game’s Ego system makes it approachable for all players, and the visual style itself is really appealing. The lack of online is a mark against an otherwise fantastic baseball game.