If you are like me and grew up on the East Coast, you probably played a bit of stickball growing up. In many ways, the real game of stickball is more fast-paced and exciting than playing actual baseball. As a kid, stick ball was one of the better pick-up games we had.
Unfortunately, MLB Stickball on the Xbox LIVE Arcade doesn’t carry the true pace and excitement of the real game. Some sites like Team Xbox gave the title an 8.5/10 score, but I assume that’s because the reviewer was probably a stickball noob. They also mention that people under 50 may not be familiar with the game. I’m 31 and played it all the time. Stickball isn’t nearly as popular as it was in the 1950s-1980s, but it’s still around. I am pleased that we’re starting to see some casual sports titles on the Arcade, but we have yet to see a good one. MLB Stickball might be an enjoyable experience for extremely casual gamers or gamers who are very young. For approximately $10, it could be worth it to some, but I’d certainly suggest that most baseball/stickball fans skip this one.
The Good
- Online Multiplayer
- 120 pro players are in the game (note: most players in a game are generic)
- Card Shop adds something to the game I didn’t expect
- Basic stickball rules are fairly accurate
- Six varied environments add a little depth to the experience
The Bad
- It’s extremely easy to throw a strike with a bounce or lob pitch, yet it’s very hard to hit either
- The game music seems like its from a children’s television show from hell
- The game simply doesn’t capture the fast-paced pick-up spirit of stickball
- Why did they have to go with Bobble Head style players? Why?
- Easy Achievements
- The game rules are not even close to real stickball rules
In the end, this is a game you should purchase at your own risk. I’d suggest playing the demo for a couple innings prior to considering a purchase. Some casual players may really love the game, but I believe that most people (even casual gamers) will not find a lot of enjoyment from the title. I’m not saying it’s the worst game ever, but it’s certainly not a good game. After playing this game, I popped Wii Sports in to see if I’d actually like Wii Sports Baseball more. I did…
As a side note, I have to give 2K Sports some credit for trying. I’d love to see them take another crack at stickball in the future. They simply need to capture the speed and fun of the real game and I’d be sold.
3.5/10
October 10th, 2008 at 1:27 am
Unfortunately, MLB Stickball on the Xbox LIVE Arcade doesn’t carry the true pace and excitement of the real game. Some sites like Team Xbox gave the title an 8.5/10 score, but I assume that’s because the reviewer was probably a stickball noob. They also mention that people under 50 may not be familiar with the game. I’m 31 and played it all the time. Stickball isn’t nearly as popular as it was in the 1950s-1980s, but it’s still around.
October 10th, 2008 at 1:37 am
that was weird. why copy and paste what I said? lol
October 10th, 2008 at 8:51 am
what did i miss?