Nintendo Wii "Backyard Baseball" Review
The latest version of Backyard Baseball 2009 was just released by Atari to take advantage of the Nintendo Wii Video game Controls. The wide and varied style of pitches and types of baseball hits manage to come truly well with the Nintendo Wii Wiimote. One only has to flick the Wiimote to hit the ball and use the Nintendo Wii nunchuk for on-base advancement.
The video game comes in six game modes. You can chose between quick play, a pickup game, tournament play, season play, a home run derby and an all-star game. There are several sub options within each game mode as well. For example, in season play, you can be a coach and do what a "real" coach can do.
To play the video game, use the directional pad as a batter for the type of swing you want. Next flick the Wiimote to take the swing. As in real life, timing is crucial. Hit the ball right and you be rewarded with an adrenalin rush! Miss it and it's a Strike Out for you! And if you want to use a special hit or pitch, you have to use both the Wiimote and nunchuk. Use the "Z" button to call up the menu for the special hit or pitch. However, you can only have these option enabled in the video game when you scored enough points.
Overall the game feel is reasonable and entertaining. Audio include some baseball sound and commentary from Sunny Day and Jack Fouler wannabes. The 3D graphics are not too bad in itself...sporting some Japanese stadium themes. I would say it appeal to kids of all ages but if you wish for a more fulfilling baseball experiences then this Nintendo Wii version of backyard baseball is not for you. So long as you don't expect the moon and the sun you be fine with this video game.
Atari could actually had done more to improve the game feel using the Nintendo Wii game control system. We are talking here about THE generation of video game playing using the Wii Mote. The realism and immersion currently is as close as it can get to the real thing before virtual reality. So far no game company had yet to fully capitalize on the Nintendo Wii control system.
Article by Camilla Bertelsen and the owner of http://popularvideogame.com
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