Super Mega Baseball: Extra Innings

Game Information

• Genre: Arcade Sports / Baseball
• Developer: Metalhead Software
• Publisher: Electronic Arts
• Release Date: 2015
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
• Game Mode Played: Exhibition, Season, Local Multiplayer
• Completion Status: Played multiple full seasons and extensive standalone matches

Introduction ⚾

Super Mega Baseball: Extra Innings really gets what's fun about baseball and gets rid of the stuff that isn't. Metalhead Software made this expanded version, building on the first Super Mega Baseball. It's a polished, cool arcade baseball game that cares most about how the game feels when you play it.

After playing a lot of seasons and games, you realize it's not trying to be like those super realistic sports games. It's doing its own thing. Extra Innings is easy to pick up but still has enough going on to keep you interested. It's fun whether you just want to play casually or want to get into some serious, skillful games.

Gameplay

The best thing about Super Mega Baseball: Extra Innings is how it plays. Hitting is easy to pick up, but tough to really get good at. It's all about timing, knowing what pitch is coming, and where to put the ball. Big swings feel risky, hitting for contact feels good, and every time you're at the plate, it feels like there's pressure, especially when the game is harder.

Pitching is deeper than you'd think for a game like this. You aim, control how hard you throw, and try to be accurate, all while watching your pitcher's energy and how confident they are. If you push a pitcher too hard or miss your spots too much, you'll notice, so you gotta be smart about switching pitchers during long seasons.

Fielding is a good mix of the game helping you out and you being in charge. Moving around feels smooth, but you still need to react quick and make good throws. Errors happen like they should, mostly when things get intense, which makes the game feel real without being annoying. The Ego thing that changes how hard the game is? It's great. It changes almost everything about how the game works so matches are always fun, no matter how good you are.

Visuals

Extra Innings goes for a cool, cartoon look that's all about being clear and fun, instead of trying to be super realistic. The players are a bit over-the-top with how they look, and their animations really show what's going on – whether they're killing it, messing up, or totally in the zone.

The stadiums are bright, tidy, and easy to figure out, and the ball always stands out. The animations are quick and do the job well without being too showy, which fits the game's fast pace. It might not be pushing any limits in tech, but the style still looks good and is easy to spot.

Audio

The sound in this game is simple but works great. Sounds like bats cracking, gloves catching, and the crowd reacting are clear and make you feel like you're really there. Home runs sound strong, and strikeouts really have some oomph behind them.

There's no commentary, which some people might not like, but it fits with the game being an arcade-style one. The music in the background is happy and not annoying, so it keeps you pumped up without getting old even when you play for a long time.

Story

Super Mega Baseball: Extra Innings doesn't have a typical story mode, and that's on purpose. Instead, the game makes up its own stories as you play through seasons, develop rivalries, and see how players do over time.

Seeing a pitcher get back on track after struggling or watching a bad team become a contender is a cool story that comes straight from playing the game. It's not like watching a movie, but the things that happen during a season can be way more memorable.

Bugs & Technical Performance

Extra Innings in extended play holds up really well. Games run smooth, load times are quick, and the controls stay consistent even when things get hectic.

You might see a weird animation now and then, or the AI might do something strange sometimes, but it doesn's really mess with the game. Overall, the game feels polished, which shows Metalhead Software really cares about making it responsive and reliable.

Replayability

This game's got a ton of replay value. You can tweak the difficulty, mess with your teams, play seasons, and even go head-to-head with friends locally, so things always feel fresh.

Whether you're trying to find that sweets spot difficulty-wise, trying out different team combos, or battling it out with your buddies on the sofa, you'll always feel the urge for another round. Not having official licenses doesn't hurt how long you'll play either – it actually keeps the focus on the gameplay and competition.

Final Verdict

Super Mega Baseball: Extra Innings really nails what makes a sports game great. Metalhead Software put feeling, balance, and how you control your players first, instead of trying to be super realistic or caring too much about brand names. The result? It's just a super fun baseball game to play.

If you're someone who cares about how a game plays and having a good, competitive time, then this is more than just a good arcade sports game – it's one of the best out there.