Gaming Target - Game Boy: Baseball Advance

Written by Matt Swider on May 21, 2002

Review: Smilebit is able to inspire baseball fever in us all, while we take time to replay Jet Set Radio with each seventh inning stretch.

In its first season run, Game Boy Advance wasn't able to achieve a high batting average among Baseball games with sub par performances and utter flops. Even with incredible names from console conversions on the portable, the energy from other systems didn't transfer the way we all hoped. It has seemed as if all optimism was lost. Fear not, for a game unbeknownst to all has graced the portable and come to the rescue just in time. To be fair, Sega has had previous experiences with the sport in its acclaimed World Baseball Series and upcoming Home Run King hitter, and Baseball Advance is able to live up to the greatest names that Sega have presented to us in years past, this time in the realm of Game Boy.

The very important aspect of having an officially licensed sports title may not make the world of difference anymore, but there have been cases in the past year on Game Boy Advance where phony teams and fake players were the only things available. However, Sega has placed this on top billing by including all 30 MLB teams and the players from their 2001 rosters. Though you aren't able to make trades in the game, most of the baseball players are playable regardless. Despite having all of the actual teams, one feature that Baseball Advance remains without is every real life stadium. It does feature Safeco Field, Pac Bell Park, Fenway Park, of the home of the green monster, and Wrigley Field. However, those are the only four parks available. While this may seem to come as a disadvantage, the attention to detail in each of colorful stadium comes to life and everything involved is extremely accurate, especially for a portable title.

From the batting perspective, things are superb and contain several minor details from home plate to left field. Different stances are present according to the specific pitcher, and batter and base runner animations are all fluid with every movement. After hitting the ball into the field, the camera changes its perspective into an overheard view. Although this doesn't look quite as nice as the rest of the game, it compliments the controls with a great scheme to move players around. The switch between field view and the pitching perspective is smooth and causes the overall game perception to work out well in the end.

We didn't hear any commentary in Baseball Advance due to the fact that game announcers are non-existent. However, everything else seems strong enough to accommodate even a console baseball title. The crack of the bat is solid as are the rest of the sound effects you'd expect to hear if you were to actually sitting in the seats of the ballpark. Various samples also make an appearance, from the national anthem at the start of each game to organ music and umpire calls throughout the innings. Sega is very firm in this department, just as Baseball Advance showed us visually, so you can expect to be pleased in what you heard and what you see.

Baseball Advance delivers the standard brand of AI present in most baseball titles of its kind. You're winning streak can't go on forever with the variation of attributes each player brings to its team. Their abilities differ with effective and unproductive portions of the strike zone, speed, strength, and throwing ability. As time goes on, you're pitcher will begin to experience a bit of fatigue and become unable to accurately throw the set pitches. As soon as the ball is hit out into the field, you can jump and dive for the ball or simply turn on the CPU option for help in that defensive area. Either way, mistakes in your controlling the fielders will happen, as will the random drops by the CPU.

The rest of the gameplay is engrossing, especially when at the plate. Pitchers will chose their throws according to arrows and then launch the ball down the strike zone. As for batters, pressing the A button down will allow him to pull back on the bat and letting go releases it for a powerful swing. Hitting the ball may seem hard at first, however after a couple of tries, you'll learn that timing the position of the ball is the key to everything. Bunting will also add variety and some strategy when needed. It also helps when you have no hitting pitchers up at the plate. The entire setup from the pitcher on the mound to the batter behind the plate really makes this game what it is, Baseball at its best.