Sports

Among the many NES classics we've all played and forgotten about, Blaster Master is one that still manages to amaze today. I remember marveling at the game's remarkable special effects when it came out 12 years ago, and even as I play it now, I'm astonished at how cool the shots and explosions look.

Like most of this year's baseball releases, Triple Play 2001 seems to be stuck in mediocrity. It could be argued that this is a case of the PlayStation's limits finally being met, but I think it is far more likely that developers have simply given up on doing anything even remotely interesting on the five-year old console in favor of its new big brother, the PlayStation 2.

This title could have been released two years ago, and I still would have proclaimed the graphics and animation to be hideously shoddy. If this is the best they can do with 32-bit, 3D graphics, I'd gladly see the return of sprite-based 16-bit graphics for baseball games that I can recall as being much more attractive.

Game Description: Get ready to take on the greatest baseball heroes of all time in Triple Play 2001 from EA Sports. Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Ted Williams are among the classic players you can control in this realistic baseball game. Play solo against Triple Play 2001's enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) or go head-to-head against your buddies. For added realism, experience the game from either the behind-the-fielder view or the outfielder's perspective. The improved AI offers more strategic hitting and player and pitcher substitutions. The umpire even argues and gives high fives. Great plays are rewarded with unlocked extras and cheats, including special players and power-ups. Triple Play 2001 features an exclusive 500 Home Run Club license.

Unlike so many other baseball games before it, All-Star Baseball 2001 simply takes the time to put elements of the game that so many other games choose to ignore. This means that pitchers actually throw wild pitches that get away from the catcher or fielders misplay balls by overthrowing the receiver or booting the ball. Base runners get picked off for leading too far or caught stealing on a pitch out. Batters develop hot and cold streaks.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Mild Language, Violence

When I first played Acclaim's All-Star Baseball 2000 last year, I was convinced that this was as good as baseball could get on a console and quickly proclaimed it the best baseball game I've played in recent memory.

Game Description: The All-Star Baseball series slides into a new season with tons of new features and gameplay details. All 30 Major League Baseball teams (with more than 700 players) play ball in each of the 30 MLB stadiums—all rendered in realistic 3D. Players can even assemble the first ever Hall of Fame team, featuring Reggie Jackson and Nolan Ryan. A new batting practice mode warms up players against different pitches, locations, and deliveries. Once primed, it's time to hit the diamond for some realistic baseball action in exhibition, season, playoff, or home run derby mode. Batters choose from over 100 stances and home run swings. The advanced batting interface allows players to adjust the sweet spot for power or contact hitting. Pitchers are offered plenty of options as well, including a pitch after-touch feature that allows throwers to control the ball's movements after release.

I've spent so much time playing Mario Golf over the past year that I don't even take the game out of my Nintendo 64 anymore. The game has become a daily ritual for me. It only comes out when I get a new game to review, then it goes right back in. It's a golf game I know, but there's something magical about it that keeps me coming back. It's fun, light-hearted, challenging and easy to get into. In short, it's the quintessential Nintendo game. When I heard that Nintendo was once again teaming up with Camelot for Mario Tennis, I could hardly contain my excitement.