Baseball may not be the most widespread sport ever created, but it’s impossible to disregard the excitement and anxiety present in every match, even if you’re not the most die-hard fan. This much has been translated into videogames throughout the years, and the Super Mega Baseball franchise is one of the most effective, if not popular, attempting another home run with Super Mega Baseball 4. Don’t be fooled by the cartoon visuals and the cheerful butt-scratching, this is one deep simulation that will demand the most of you right off the bat.

So Much to Manage, So Little Time

Knowing the basics of the sport but not being a hardcore fan, my viewpoint on Super Mega Baseball 4 will be one of a curious and interested outsider, always open to learning and understanding the inner workings of a fine sport. After some time playing matches and messing around with my team, it’s easy to see that this is a game betting on continuity and expansion, improving on the solid bases of the series but never trying to mess with a formula that works.

At first glimpse, Super Mega Baseball 4 may look like a casual arcade sports game on the surface, with its cartoon characters and over-the-top commentary and nonsense, but under the hood you will find a complex, enthralling, sometimes daunting look at the sport, with massive choices such as Season, Franchise, or the cross-platform competitive game mode Pennant Race. Obviously, you can dive into a single Exhibition match to hone your skills or simply to enjoy a quick game.

The main feature coming with this edition is the inclusion of Legends, a first for a series that had its origins deeply rooted in the indie segment, ultimately earning critical acclaim, and encouraging Electronic Arts to acquire developer Metalhead in 2021. Joining a roster of oddball athletes such as Mash Taters, Jack Cracker, and Volt Bolter are over 200 famous names of the sport, covering various decades. Gone out of the window is the unlicensed nature of Super Mega Baseball, now giving a heartwarming welcome to these stars that you can play alongside offbeat names that have been a staple of the series for years.

With this comes the Legends league mode, picking teams according to era, and there’s the option to mix and match Legends and made-up characters in Shuffle Draft, as each team picks one player per round to create the ultimate dream team. There are also six new stadiums created in the same imaginative style, 55 more traits, and new features that have been requested by the community, such as two-way players.

But there’s also a significant overhaul to the visual side of things, upgrading the cartoon visuals and refining the animations and stadiums. It’s a great looking game if you enjoy the art direction, and some of the plays are quite exciting to watch, with mistimed dives and long throws that feel close to the real thing. However, there seems to be room for improvement when the outfielders pick up the ball, with a slight animation delay while rotating for the throw.

Play Ball

Beyond the cartoon looks lies a game of skills, timing, and plenty of elements at work. Player traits are substantial ways of affecting a game and can be good or bad, eventually impacting player skills and even affecting other players. There are some specific requirements for a trait to trigger, and they come with three levels of potency, both for positive and negative, being the result of team chemistry.

Team chemistry comes in five varieties, one per player: competitive, spirited, disciplined, scholarly, and crafty. Every player in your team contributes to the ranking of each chemistry, even those who are on the bench. Reaching a certain tier of team chemistry will give you small to major benefits, so it’s always worth checking out the overall disposition when drafting a new player.

When you enter the field, controlling the hitter and the pitcher in turns, the atmosphere is remarkably cheery and confident. Swinging your bat may in part be affected by your traits and team chemistry, but ultimately, it’s up to you to find the sweet spot where you are going to knock that ball out of the park. Aligning the cursor with the oncoming ball is easier said than done, even more when you must judge your strength as well, again with perfect timing. It may not sound like rocket science, but only the perfect combination will result in a magnificent hit.

Pitching is more about varying your throws and confusing the opponent. Align your aim to maximize strength and efficiency, throw a few curveballs here and there, and hope that you reach those three strikes. And then you have all the other strategies at your disposal to win the game, including positioning of infield and outfield, diving and sliding, throwing a pitchout, and so much more.

If things are becoming too difficult, the ego system once again can be changed mid-game to your convenience. It’s a choice that may not suit everyone as it feels like you are cheating the challenge as you go, and standard difficulty levels may have felt more rewarding for some, but this is what’s in the game.

True Legend?

The extent of the additions to Super Mega Baseball 4 isn’t going to change the fundamentals of the series, and a quick glance at the previous chapter shows that there are many points in common. A great game just got better, bulkier, but it’s not cutting ties with the past. There’s still the same mix of depth and silliness, with broken bats out of rage or a badly aimed swing, an umpire that mixes English with Spanish wording, and an unhealthy dose of butt scratching, but that’s part of the sport… maybe?

Super Mega Baseball 4 is a thrilling, fun, and intricate take on the sport. There’s no denying its quality and complexity, yet it both welcomes players who want some quick baseball matches and those who are in it for the long run. The question that remains for long-time fans is if it’s worth stepping into the field mostly for the new Legends, the visual upgrade, and a few more additions that make it a solid game. It’s great baseball for sure, but consider the above before joining the draft.

Score: 8.5/10

Pros

• Fun for all skill levels
• Incredible depth is there if you want to dive into it
• Great atmosphere and cartoon graphics
• Legends finally add real players

Cons

• Not a major leap from the previous game

Super Mega Baseball 4 review code was provided by the publisher. You can read MP1st’s review and scoring policy right here.