Ken Griffey, Jr.'s Slugfest

Another baseball title – bats at the ready! This import baseball title is unlikely to make it onto the UK retail shelves. Be thankful, as you aren't missing much. While All Star Baseball 2000 is a quality example of what a baseball simulation should be, Ken Griffey Jr's Slugfest comes across as its poor cousin – the one that tries very hard to impress, but just doesn't quite cut it when the final scores are announced.

So, what does Griffey actually offer the simulated baseball fan? Well, for starters, there is the quick-fix game option for those of you who want to leap straight in and play ball. But that's not all, Griffey also comes laden with a host of additional gaming modes. If you are feeling adventurous, and have got a few weeks to spare, why not plump for the Season mode? The best of the best can duke it out in the coveted World Series as well – the baseball equivalent of the Premier League – which probably won't mean much to those living outside of the US. The Home Run Derby mode, as the name might suggest, allows you to concentrate on knocking out home runs without having to worry about running to a base afterwards. This is probably the best option to select if you want to play Griffey as a multiplayer game; it's quick to set up and seriously competitive once you get into it. There's also the Exhibition gaming option, which essentially entails you watching the computer play... wow, thrills.

Utterly Batterly

Though Griffey is a noticeable improvement over last year's model, it still has quite a way to go before it can compete with Acclaim's benchmark ASB 2000. Griffey is simpler to pick up and play than ASB 2000, and it is certainly easier to knock out home runs in Griffey than ASB 2000. This isn't an exact science, as one of the annoying quirks of Griffey is that your batter can sometimes be a bit slow when it comes to registering when you have pressed the swing button – you press the A button, wait for a second, and then your batter takes a swing (by now, of course, the ball's flown right past you).

As with most sports simulations, the only differences between rival brands are purely aesthetic ones. In Griffey's case, in spite of the fact that the cart utilises the Expansion Pak, the graphics are not particularly detailed. Incidentally, the game has a medium resolution mode for those who have yet to cough up for the Expansion Pak – what, are you waiting for the free one with DK64? The animations of the characters are laughable as well – it's hard to keep a straight face as your batter lurches toward the diamond, shoulders hunched, looking a hell of a lot like the missing link.

The sound department is extremely weak – who cares if Nintendo has incorporated Dolby Surround if you have to listen to the monotonous drone of the crowd, or hear the same handful of speech quotes looped ad naseum? A special mention should go for the funky scratch-mix Griffey tune that kicks in when the game is booted up; a personal greeting from Mr Griffey Jr himself launches into a bizarre mishmash of Griffey-related commentary soundbites – "Griffey's done it again!" – and a funky electronic ditty. Hmm, subtle's not in it.

While Griffey is an admirable attempt from Angel Studios, it really does pale in comparison to All Star Baseball 2000. If it does appear in this country, which is unlikely, you'll have to ask yourself why you would want it when you get more swing for your buck with ASB 2000?

The battle to be the best baseball game on the Nintendo 64 is heating up, and Junior is getting ready to take his hacks at the big guns of baseball gaming in Ken Griffey Jr.'s Slugfest To keep up with All-Star Baseball 2000 and Triple Play 2000, Nintendo has added some key features that should appeal to sim fans, though the game is nevertheless keeping its arcade-style flair.

First up for Griffey is its create-a-player feature, which will of course enable you to put yourself or any one of your alter-egos into the lineup. Nintendo's also added new stadiums along with improved player models and animations. You can also play Griffey in hi-res if you own an Expansion Pak. Add to this Dolby Surround Sound, all 30 pro teams and players, and Griffey's popular action cam, and you have a game with a wealth of potential. Check back in the "Sports Pages" for more info on how Slugfest is going to stack up against the already-awesome competition.

Earlier this year, All-Star Baseball 2000 rocked the hardball scene with its excellent sim-style action. Now The Kids stepping up to the plate to take his hacks in true arcade fashion in Ken Griffey jr.'s Slugfest.

Slugfest contains the standard options, including all the players and teams. Its gameplay captures the essence of Griffey's 16-bit days in fine fashion, so don't expect it to compete on the same level as All-Star. Graphically, Slugfest looks sharp, but the player models aren't quite as lifelike as All-Stars. The controls are easy to get used to--but there's no button to enable you to hit for power or explode in a speedburst while in the field. Lastly, slugfest's sound is simple yet effective, containing all the recognizable ballpark effects.

If you're a younger gamer or new to baseball, give Slugfest a whirl. It's more arcadey than the sim-intensive All-Star 2000 and will appeal to those who want a quick baseball fix rather than a game filled with intense pitcher/batter confrontations.