Growing up born and raised as a kid from Boston, Massachusetts, I would always have fond memories of all the major local sports teams and their winning accomplishments throughout the years. One particular moment that I will never forget is the 2004 Boston Red Sox coming back down 0-3 in an ALCS series to beat the New York Yankees and win the championship. That roster at the time was stacked with so many iconic players including David Ortiz, Pedro Martinez, Curt Shilling, Johnny Damon and others.
After spending a great deal of time with Super Mega Baseball 4, it warms my heart seeing how much care and attention to detail that Metalhead Software has put into creating a genuinely fun baseball game. By including legends, female players, and community requested features to their already signature formula of gameplay, they have accomplished the goal of making one of best baseball experiences of the year. Here are more of my thoughts on the game and why it might be worth checking out if you’re a fan of the sport.
Batter Up
As I mentioned above, adding legendary baseball icons and incorporating them into the fold with other Super Mega All-Star players really does add more authenticity to this entry. With the use of Shuffle Draft, you can mix both groups together to create a superb roster from top to bottom. Another interesting aspect about the legends is that MetalHead managed to capture their mannerisms and personalities to a tee without changing the way they stylize their characters. With over 200 legends in the game, your guaranteed to have a ball (pun intended) seeing how each era icon has been represented in the game.
There are several game modes to choose from including Franchise, Season, Elimination, Pennant Race, and Online Leagues. Cross play is available for both Pennant Race and Online Leagues. In addition to this, there are robust customization options for characters, teams, and leagues that allow players to personalize their own experiences. Having played a few online matches, I can personally say that I didn’t encounter any network issues and it was cool to play as a team that I created.
The heart and soul of Super Mega Baseball 4 lives within just how easy it is for anyone to pick up and play. If you have ever played a game like MLB: The Show then you know firsthand just how intimidating that experience can be for both new and casual players alike. SMB 4 simplifies the detailed concept of baseball and makes it accessible to anyone with an interest in checking it out. I noticed these things especially when it came to pitching, playing outfield, and getting outs at bases. If you have ever grown frustrated with doing these things in other baseball games, then I can personally guarantee that you won’t encounter any of these problems in SMB 4.
The improved presentation very much mirrors what you would see if you watched an MLB game today but with the main component of arcade-stylized character designs and animations being fully accounted for. In addition to upgraded lighting and on-field gameplay enhancements, there are also six new stadiums added to this year’s game. With so much attention given towards capturing what it feels like to be on the field, it’s easy to conclude a game like this will make you appreciate the sport even more.
Final Verdict
When it comes to baseball games, Super Mega Ball 4 delivers and is without a doubt the perfect love letter to the sport. The amount of legend and female representation, customization options, and improvements to character models and stadiums pulls you deeper into the action then ever before. If there is one baseball game that you do plan to get this year, make sure this one is at the very top of your list.
This review was written based on a digital review copy of Super Mega Baseball 4 for the Xbox Series X provided by Electronic Arts.
