It's always a tricky task to translate ‘America’s Pastime’ into a video game form in a way that accurately bottles the magic of a day at your favourite ballpark. For Switch owners, we’ve watched as MLB The Show – the only real go-to simulator for baseball goodness on consoles – continue to score home runs on other platforms, forcing us to rely on the mini-games and truncated versions found in the likes of Sports Party. Things were looking up back in March when the RBI Baseball franchise stepped up to the plate, but a lack of online play and a general absence of deep features saw that ball fouled for the most part (including this year’s iteration).
So, with the game hanging in the balance, up steps Super Mega Baseball 2: Ultimate Edition from the dugout. And with a name like that you’re probably expecting some NBA Jam-style approach full of slapstick home runs, overblown pyro and various things engulfed in comedy flames – especially once you add those caricature-esque character models and an overall cartoonish aesthetic. But screenshots can only ever tell you so much, and beneath its arcade looks lies a baseball sim that puts the shallow updates of the RBI series to shame. If you’re looking for a proper sim full of tactical nuance and deep customisation, you’ve wandered into the right virtual stadium.
Of course, Canadian studio Metalhead Software could have opted for a silly approach, but what Super Mega Baseball 2 does so well is marry a lighthearted vibe to a serious simulation. It looks like one of those terrible baseball knock-offs from the Wii era, when in actual fact it’s as authentic in its systems as some of the recent MLB The Show entries. A realistic physics engine makes every inside fastball and every solid bunt move across the field in just the right way. Sure, the ball does bounce a little too much at times, but the sheer level of accuracy that comes from experimenting with different pitch types in order to draw a hitter to swing too early is going to really capture the imagination and tactical creativity of baseball fans.
The Ego system from the first game returns here, which provides an adjustable difficulty that breaks away from the normal ‘Easy’, ‘Intermediate’ and ‘Pro’ settings found in almost every other sports sim. Represented as a counter from 0-100, the game’s AI and in-match settings are tweaked as you manually increase the number. It’s a really neat approach that had us slowly ratcheting our Ego score up and up as we settled into Super Mega Baseball 2’s realistic physics. However, the lack of an interactive tutorial or practice mode will make some baseball newbies struggle outside of dropping their Ego score down to zero. There’s a glossary of terms and an explanation on all the important skills and tricks, but a proper batting cage or pitching drills would have been the extra dollop of icing on an otherwise tasty cake.
One thing Super Mega Baseball 2 doesn’t have that will rankle dedicate baseball nuts is the lack of MLB licensing or official teams and players. Characters might look like something out of NBA Playgrounds 2, but you’ll have to contend with the Moonstars, Overdogs and other fictional teams instead of authentic monikers. However, it’s an issue that’s lessened somewhat by the sheer amount of customisation at your disposal. While Super Mega Baseball 2 might be the PES to MLB The Show’s FIFA, you can make up for the lack of real players and teams by customising player names, uniforms, attributes, logos, appearances and more. You can even design your own tournament brackets, a feature that’s a must for players who want to create their own mini-leagues.
Developer Metalhead claims this version of Super Mega Baseball 2 is on par with every other edition of the game, and after an extended playtest, we’re inclined to agree. In terms of performance, it runs at 60fps in both docked and handheld modes with no signs of slowdown anywhere, so every fastball and screaming homerun bolts across the screen just as God intended. The cartoonish aesthetics help the game retain its quality – especially in handheld mode – with only a small amount of blurring visible during a game. You can play local head-to-head multiplayer and co-op with split Joy-Cons on a shared screen, and there’s full support for online play (with dedicated servers) – a feature RBI Baseball 19 can’t attest to, even with its MLB licensing. There’s also support for online co-op and online competitive matchmaking.
In terms of content, you’re getting all the extra bits and bobs released since the game launched elsewhere in 2018, including two new stadia – the Nicaraguan-inspired El Viejo Stadium and the Mojave Desert-style Red Rock Park (taking the arena count up to 10 for the Ultimate Edition) – as well as an impressively robust wardrobe full of extra customisation options for your homemade teams. There’s nothing particularly unique to this version, but it does ensure Switch owners are getting something on par with those on Xbox One, PS4 and PC.
Conclusion
If you’re a Nintendo Switch owner and a baseball devotee then the deep mechanical options and customisation levels of Super Mega Baseball 2: Ultimate Edition mean that it's the ideal tonic to ward off the lack of MLB The Show on the platform and the perpetual disappointment that is RBI Baseball series. With support for all manner of local and online setups for co-op and competitive multiplayer – and lots of extra DLC content bundled in – this is a rewarding yet potentially intimidating simulator that’s only really diminished by a lack of official licensing and a proper training mode.
Comments 43
Not a baseball fan but this does look good, and who can complain about a game running at 60 fps docked OR handheld?
I'm hoping Nintendo adds either Baseball Stars or Base Wars for NSO at some point. Konami also publishes the Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball games each year like Sony does with MLB The Show, but the series never leaves Japan.
Need a good baseball game on the Switch and this looks like it will be the best it will get for a long time.
This will tie me over until we get the Super Mario Sluggers sequel.
This is a great game. The deep level of customization is fantastic and the gameplay is among the best I've ever experienced with a baseball game.
The lack of MLB licenses are not a problem for me. it adds a more timeless arcade type feel to the game. Would totally recommend to any baseball fan.
This game is pretty mediocre elsewhere but here it's an 8/10. Not a bad arcadey baseball game I suppose. It's a lot better than the RBI series, that's for sure.
I have been oddly excited for this game. Looks like the right balance of arcade and sim with good performance.
@JayJ 10/10 on NWR
Loved the first one. Looking forward to getting this.
This will be a perfect baseball game for my Switch. I will download it.
@Fake-E-Lee I’m only on my first! Haha and it’s a scorcher on my sister’s patio at the moment. Bro-in-law’s got the smoker fired up. Beer, BBQ and some baseball a bit later might be in order, me thinks.
I think everybody is way too hard on RBI, but yeah, this looks great. I'll probably pick it up eventually, even if I'm already happy with the baseball game I have on Switch.
@Fake-E-Lee Eff yeah! Desktop Baseball has kept me entertained for awhile, but Ive been jonesing for a good arcade Baseball game for awhile. Desktop is more boardgame. Between this and Mutant League Football, Im set. Sidenote: You getting Wolfenstein Youngblood? Or any of the Dooms?
Yep... I'll stay with The Show, and just play at home.
This is like being happy with Super Lucky's Tale instead of just buying whatever you need to play Super Mario Odyssey.
I had my first go last night and it is a fun game. I personally do not think of it as a sim because realism is not the goal . . . fun is. And boy do I love arcade baseball games.
The controls are pretty intuitive, though I'm still not 100% understanding the secondary pitch aiming mechanic...but minor gripe. I cannot wait to make a custom team and my daughter wants to make her softball team because, like Baseball Stars, Metalhead had the foresight to include female players too.
Super Mega the YouTube channel better play this
@Fake-E-Lee Wolf is exactly what they said itd be. An openworldish, looty, spinoff, meant for coop. So Im def grabbing it, as its what I wanted for some quick bursts of fps fun. Not gonna lie Doom 3 is a bit janky. Always was, but it holds a place in my heart, even if its not proper Doom. Definitely grabbing the first two. Huge Doom fan.
If only Nintendo would bring back the ken Griffey baseball games from the snes. Those were pretty fun for arcade style sports. Mario sluggers was also fun on GameCube.
@Spoony_Tech Baseball Stars 2 is a solid pick for enthusiasts imo! But yeah, this games looks deeper and more options to play online or co-op makes this very appealing.
@Agramonte apples to oranges
Thank you for basically saying that God intended games to run at 60fps! Lol
I've played this on PS4 or something and thought it was really fun . Glad it's on Switch with God's intended frame rate : )
I'm also curious about powerful Pro baseball by Konami! Is that coming to the West? Also, isn't there a pro yakyu spirits baseball game or something?? Do both of those run at 60fps? And are they fun?!
Anyways, I'll have to get this and play it with my sports obsessed relatives.
@commentlife a better Apple or an Orange they do not sell. Anyway you slice it - good to have options to get the better fruit elsewhere.
Looks like fun, might get it.
This is a great game and is great fun!!! The customization of teams logos, players, uniforms.You can make a league with everything you named and customized. Im a major Baseball Stars fan and this is the modern one. Maybe even better. I never playTheShow. I might even delete it now. I play this because it's a lot more fun.
The perpetual dismissal of RBI Baseball isn't warranted this year, and is keeping a lot of people from playing a good game.
This one isn't bad either.
It also isn't a franchise focused baseball sim, so don't expect that and you'll be ok.
Liked the first one. Looking forward to it's sequel. Plus, it has cross play with Xbox/PC players. Meaning online won't be as dead as we may think.
@Fake-E-Lee I loved the first one, I’m thinking about picking this up to do a season. 👌
Downloaded the demo from the Eshop
Plays nice, looks good
For anyone else who was unaware like me, there's also a demo up!
@Fake-E-Lee Its a darn fun, b-movie horror shooter. Make sure you play the arcade game I saw that its the BFG edition (has some QoL improvements), so for a tenner and having it portable, Ill grab it soon myself.
Really loved the original on the os4.. bought the sequel in amsale but doesn’t add too much ..
. Still. Interms of gameplay it is better than mlb the show... so i might souble dip in a sale, to play this on the road
Really enjoying the hell outta this! A much needed quality baseball ⚾️ game for the Switch!! Fills a big hole even with Baseball Stars 1&2 available! Bye RBI baseball! Don’t come back till you vastly improve!! Now ...if we can just get us some Hockey action!
@joey302 did you play RBI this year? It is a very solid game this year that is really fun to play.
Not for everyone for sure, but I don't get the hate on it this year other than hate being a habit towards RBI.
The lack of an MLB license is disappointed, but otherwise it sounds great. Add to future Wishlist...
@cyrus_zuo RBI 19?? Wow really?? I’ll have to circle back and check it out! Had given up on the series!
Great news! Nothing like a good Baseball game!!!
@joey302 RBI 19 is worth a try, especially when the yearly sales come around.
Again, not for everyone, but the hitting and fielding are much better this year, if you want to play with MLB players it's worth checking out.
RBI has been getting incrementally better each of the last two years and this year crossed the line into 'good' territory. I personally think RBI is now better than Baseball Stars 2, though probably not as good as the NES Baseball Stars. (In my opinion)
@cyrus_zuo 19 was the first one I didn’t buy since RBI 14! I remember reading an article about the MLB developers working hard & took the negative feedback to make vast improvements from the previous year but yet i was still apprehensive! but after what you said I’ll go back in, but I’ll wait for a sale first being I’m already enjoying Super Mega Baseball already! Thanks! 😊
I had the first one on my PS4, and it was the only game I went back to play (because I stopped almost all gaming on PS4 now). So I'm loving part 2 on the go! Completed a couple games on a short flight. Lots of sleep mode and continuing; with the food service, in-flight movie, etc. Perfect.
@DockEllisD sadly Famista was removed from the eShop back in February along with all the DLC. Gutted because I kept meaning to buy it.
Konami's Pro Yakyuu is out now though. I've not had a chance to check it out yet.
loved SMB and SMB2 on PS4, thrilled to have this on the go! the gameplay is unmatched imo
Its so good ive only had it 4 days and already put in 35 hours. I hit up season mode and i just get so locked into it. I have never played rbi baseball 2018 or 2019 but for a baseball game this game is extremely fun.
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