Home

 › 

Articles

 › 

MLB Superstars Review for Nintendo Wii

MLB Superstars Review for Nintendo Wii

Apparently, 2K Sports does not understand that mini-game compilations are the last thing the Wii needs right now. Nintendo itself is already providing the casual-draw games, and it’s time for some third-party developers to step up and provide real games for real gamers. Such notions seem no more than wishful thinking, however, as you play through Deep Fried Entertainment’s MLB Superstars. It is definitional shovelware; an absolutely terrible game published solely for the purpose of making a quick buck. There’s next to no content, and I’m completely serious when I say there’s not a single redeeming aspect of this game.

MLB Superstars screenshot

The first disappointment that I came across occurred shortly after I booted up the game. Upon checking out the mini-games offered by this package, I came to the unfortunate realization that there were only six. Admittedly, some of them have a few (very mild) variations. But these are not long, drawn-out mini-games with lots of complexities and intricacies. These mini-games are simple, mindless, and devoid of depth.

Needless to say, they’re not at all fun. The first game is like a game of golf, except you’ll throw or hit the ball with a bat rather than with a golf club. Golf games are generally fun, but this mini-game isn’t. What went wrong? You have control over so few facets of your character’s actions. You just take aim and swing the ball – that’s it. There’s no variability, no challenge, and just nothing interesting about this mini-game.

After you play through a couple of the mini-games, you realize that there’s nothing at all original about MLB Superstars. The half-dozen mini-games that it does offer are all simply rip-offs of other mini-games that have been done countless times over. For example, you’ve got the infamous sorting game in the form of throwing fans the food they request. Remind you of anything? I first thought of the mail-sorting mini-game from Wind Waker, but maybe that’s just me.

MLB Superstars screenshot

Then there’s also the block-matching puzzle game, where you throw balls at like-colored falling blocks to make them disappear. There’s a dancing mini-game in which you take control of a team mascot and try and pump up the crowd. There’s a pinball rip-off where you hit a ball into the bleachers and watch it bounce around. And finally, there’s a game where you need to throw a baseball as close to a target as possible without hitting any nearby obstacles.

That’s it; that is the entire game. There’s no extra content, no unlockable mini-games or characters, and the only reward you get for playing are trophies that are easily won. Playing through all the mini-games once is enough to squeeze the life out of this title.

MLB Superstars screenshot

In case I haven’t made the point clear, know that this game has no replay value. Even at the budget twenty-dollar price tag, there’s just no way to justify spending your money on this game. The mini-games are so mindless and boring that you definitely won’t want to play through them again. Additionally, there’s no real challenge to this game. Playing against the computer, aside from just being lame, is a cakewalk.

That said, there is a multiplayer mode that allows up to four people to compete in these games head-to-head. This doesn’t change the fact that the game is really bad, but playing against friends is certainly more fun than playing against the computer. Still, it’s important to realize that a crappy game is still a crappy game, even when played with friends. Plus, it’s most likely that you and your friends will quickly grow bored and play something more engaging.

MLB Superstars screenshot

There are also some control problems encountered throughout the game, which makes playing an already-bad game even more annoying. For example, during mini-games when you’re supposed to throw a ball toward a target, it’s difficult to gauge how hard you need to move the remote in order to get the power you want. These throws are also often inaccurate due to no fault of your own, and the game seems to be inconsistent in terms of how hard you need to thrust the remote to throw the ball. That is, it can be hard to get precise with your throws; because it sometimes seems that a similar throw on your part results in noticeably different onscreen results.

The graphics and sound are also quite poor. Visually, the game takes on a cartoony look, apparently to appeal to the young children and their parents who are obviously the targeted customers of this game. The cel-shaded look isn’t even done very well, and the animation is bad. Plus, the environments and backgrounds are very bland and boring. The game’s music is just as bad, with lots of really repetitive tunes and low-quality music.

All of these problems add up to a game that, frankly, feels like it was never really meant to be played. The developers have simply thrown together a handful of boring, mini-games onto a game disc and called it a game. I never ever thought I’d say this about a game, but MLB Superstars really feels like an abuse of the MLB license. And if that’s not an insult, I don’t know what is. Nobody should play this game. It’s not even suitable to the younger crowd it’s intended for; MLB Superstars is one of the worst games I’ve ever played on the Wii.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 2.3 Graphics
The cel-shaded visuals are poorly done and unimpressive, and the lack of visual variety is frustrating. 2.0 Control
MLB Superstars makes very unoriginal use of the Wii Remote, and many of the motion controls are not accurate or consistent. 2.3 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Dull, boring, and repetitive, low-quality tunes make up the entirety of the game’s music. 1.0

Play Value
Six mini-games and no replay value means you’ll likely be spending about ten minutes playing MLB Superstars.

1.4 Overall Rating – Avoid
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

  • Choose from a variety of mini-games.
  • Baseball’s wacky versions of original games.
  • Fun for all ages.
  • Screen Resolution: Up to 480p (Progressive Scan).

  • To top