GameCube

All-Star Baseball 2002

Gamers on a budget may want to hold off on buying All-Star Baseball 2002 because of ASB 2003's imminent release. If money is no object to you though, then don't hesitate to get this game. ASB 2002 would be worth buying even if there were other baseball games available for the GameCube.

The All-Star Baseball franchise is no stranger to Nintendo fans. The series made a strong run on everyone's favorite cartridge-based GameCube predecessor with several sequels -- and it was generally thought well of by baseball fans who picked it up. Solid simulation elements, beautiful graphics for the time and a decently realized control setup earned it top grades with critics too.

Although this may not be the baseball game of the year, it still has some redeeming qualities. The control system holds its own and the graphics aren’t comparable to other games on the market. Some of the issues with the AI and lack of quality sound definitely hold its potential back. Gamers may want to wait until this spring to see how All-Star Baseball 2003 turns out.

Acclaim's All-Star Baseball series was the undisputed king of hardball in the Nintendo 64 era. Its high-resolution graphics and deep gameplay kept fans of America's pastime coming back for more. The series was exclusive to Nintendo's consoles for several years, but Acclaim recently released the 2002 iteration of All-Star Baseball for the PlayStation 2 to positive reviews. But the GameCube version of All-Star Baseball 2002 exhibits many of the traits inherent to a port and ultimately fails to impress.

I feel bad for All-Star Baseball 2002. I really do. The batting portion of the game is very well done, it’s when the ball leaves the box that problems arise. The AI in this title is some of the worst I have ever seen. Plus, what’s with releasing a 2002 game when spring training for the next season is just months away? It makes no sense, I tell you! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to stick more pins in my Bud Selig doll.

If it weren't for the irritating glitches that creep into games, GameCube owners would have been strongly advised to get their mitts on this title. All things considered, however, most should hold out for All-Star Baseball 2003 and hope the problems are corrected.

It’s simply not enough. All-Star Baseball 2002 is a game that SHOULD have been so much more, and instead is nothing less than a complete disappointment. Hardcore console baseball fans may find some fun in the game, but even television baseball fans are going to be turned off. Casual fans should turn on ESPN, as pressing the buttons on your remote control is going to be more exciting than this.

Easily the most annoying problem with ASB 2002 is the lame AI. The outfielders must have passed through Dr. Frankenstein's lab, since they seem to be missing any type of brain matter. Picture this: A ball flies out down the left field line and manages to go over the head of the left fielder. The ball rolls to a stop in the corner and the left fielder stops cold. I'm not sure if it's some kind of sensory overload or the "sun" getting into his eye, but the LF just stops and stands perfectly still. This leaves the ball for the center fielder, who has to come trotting over to the 3rd base line from half a field away. Brilliant.