High Heat Major League Baseball 2004

by Xbox

Product Features

• This item is BRAND NEW and factory fresh (sealed if applicable). This item is NOT returned or refurbished. May have store or price stickers affixed.

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005BW70
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches ; 5.3 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: March 4, 2003
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,153 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The High Heat series has always been one of opposites. Each game in the series has played great, realistic baseball--but the graphics never look as good as the competition. High Heat games always hit the shelves before the competition's games, but they're always plagued with stability issues and other bugs. High Heat games are always the best baseball game of the year in terms of realism, but they always sell the worst. Each year hardcore baseball fans hope and pray that developer 3DO will get it right, and each year 3DO improves just enough to keep hope alive (the High Heat series is kind of like the Red Sox). The good news is that the 2004 edition of High Heat Baseball is no exception to the above. The bad news is that, on the PC at least, the 2004 edition is no exception to the above.

As usual High Heat Major League Baseball 2004 isn’t quite as pretty as most of the competition, but the game does have a nostalgic look that’s quite stylish--kind of like the difference between now-torn down County Stadium and the new Miller Park that replaced it in Milwaukee. A major area of improvement is in player animation. The players aren’t stiff anymore; they move like human beings. A bit of graphics sheen was applied to the stadiums too, and while not the best, High Heat is finally a good looking game. Unfortunately, audio is merely okay. The problem isn’t limited to dry and dull commentary. High Heat 2004 pretty much has the same soundtrack as High Heat 2003 and, the music often does not match action on the field.

High Heat 2040 adds some 30 new pitches to the game, and the pitcher/batter interface so crucial to this game’s success (it’s the best in the business and it feels like real baseball) is still in place and looking good. High Heat plays a solid game of baseball that just feels right.--Andrew S. Bub

Pros:

• Good looks, great gameplay
• Best pitcher/batter duel available in a baseball game

Cons:

• Bad commentary

Product Description

The High Heat series has always been one of opposites. Each game in the series has played great, realistic baseball--but the graphics never look as good as the competition. High Heat games always hit the shelves before the competition's games, but they're always plagued with stability issues and other bugs. High Heat games are always the best baseball game of the year in terms of realism, but they always sell the worst. Each year hardcore baseball fans hope and pray that developer 3DO will get it right, and each year 3DO improves just enough to keep hope alive (the High Heat series is kind of like the Red Sox). The good news is that the 2004 edition of High Heat Baseball is no exception to the above. The bad news is that, on the PC at least, the 2004 edition is no exception to the above.

As usual High Heat Major League Baseball 2004 isnt quite as pretty as most of the competition, but the game does have a nostalgic look thats quite stylish--kind of like the difference between now-torn down County Stadium and the new Miller Park that replaced it in Milwaukee. A major area of improvement is in player animation. The players arent stiff anymore; they move like human beings. A bit of graphics sheen was applied to the stadiums too, and while not the best, High Heat is finally a good looking game. Unfortunately, audio is merely okay. The problem isnt limited to dry and dull commentary. High Heat 2004 pretty much has the same soundtrack as High Heat 2003 and, the music often does not match action on the field.

High Heat 2040 adds some 30 new pitches to the game, and the pitcher/batter interface so crucial to this games success (its the best in the business and it feels like real baseball) is still in place and looking good. High Heat plays a solid game of baseball that just feels right.--Andrew S. Bub

Pros:

• Good looks, great gameplay
• Best pitcher/batter duel available in a basebal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost Great, November 14, 2003

By 

Biff Fearless "World Reknowned Adventurer" (Cape Coral, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: High Heat Major League Baseball 2004 (Video Game)

I've been playing baseball games on computers and consoles for a long time. I date myself here by saying that I started with Microleague Baseball on the Atari 800XL. I still regard that as my favorite experience in the baseball genre. I recently purchased an X-Box and when I buy a new console I always buy my gaming staples. A baseball game is always one of my first priorities. There are a lot of choices out there. I picked HIGH HEAT 2004 based on what I'd read in magazines and on-line.
The game is good but flawed. It isn't the prettiest baseball game out there (particularly on the X-Box), but boasts some very strong features. If you're like me, one of your favorite things about a baseball game is the simulation aspect. The best thing this game offers is the pitcher/batter interface. It really makes you work the count to have success as a batter, or to retire your opposition.
The stats are deep in the game, but the interface is sometimes difficult. For example, when looking at your team's pitching numbers, the batters are listed as well (even though they obviously have no pitching stats). Also, league leaders only lists about the top 5 in maybe 7 different categories. The game tracks what must be about 50 different statistical categories, why can't I look at who is leading the league in doubles, or walks, or innnings pitched, or you get the picture.
The minor league system with the game is interesting, but I'm not sure I'd want to replace current major leaguers with computer generated farm-hands with names like "Chappie Gardner". The player creator is somewhat lacking details as well. You only get to choose height and weight and whether the player is muscular or "average".
I still give the game a good score though. The game has done something I have rarely seen with a baseball game of this type, eliminated the possibility of throwing runners out at first on singles from right field. You can also hit legitimate doubles and triples, something very difficult to do on most console baseball games. I recommend it to baseball fans. I'm hoping to win a World Series with my Marlins.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars High Heat v.s. MVP, July 13, 2003

By 

"neil73545" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: High Heat Major League Baseball 2004 (Video Game)

High Heat Baseball is one of the most in depth baseball simulators ever created. The ammount of statistics is overwhelming. The minor leqague farm system is well incorperated in this game as well. However the actual player and team names are not used. It is a great representation of the actual game. If your looking for an in depth, statistically superior game, with the ability to draft, sign, and trade your entire team, as well as your minor leage teams, through a plethora of multipul seasons, than this game is for you.
However... the graphics leave A LOT to be desired. The player animations are generic. They don't varry from player to player. The only difference you can see is either their pitching style, if they have a unique style, or their batting stance and styles. For example Nomar Garciaparra fidgits with his gloves and taps his feet in the box. Really cool.
Along with the lacking graphics, the commentating, music, and ambiant noise is horrible. Very noticable pauses in between the announcement of teams while the commentary is "loading" is extremely annoying. "The.........Red Sox.......5.........The........Yankees........nothing........in the.......bottom of the 9th. That can get frustratring especially since there are awesome games like FIFA 2003 with superb commentary. The crowd is very unimpressed with any major event taking place in the game. Hit a HR and see NO dramatic replays or hear any excited crowd or commentary. 3DO needs to improve those things first before it can compete with MVP.
It is however a fun and addicting game to play. I got hooked. But I am still planning to buy MVP, maybe today! Stick with MVP in the long run, you'll be happier with all the extra graphical and audio features it has to offer

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not worth the wait, March 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: High Heat Major League Baseball 2004 (Video Game)

I was truly disapointed with this game. I expected to be blown away by the game play and the graphics, only to be let down. Its not a bad game, but I just wasn't impressed. The pitching is super slow, even when sped up. The camera angles on home runs dosen't allow you to see the ball leave the field. The crowd noise is on a loop. You hear chears for a while, then a sharp stop in noise for a half second, then the crowd starts up again. Again play is not awful, but I just expected better graphics, better simulation and better audio.