Customer Reviews

Sega Sports: World Series Baseball 2K3

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

After being horribly dissapointed with every Xbox baseball game to date, I took a chance and bought this one. Compared to last years crappy installments of ASB and Triple Play, or whatever it was, I have renewed interest in video game baseball.

There is simply too many goood points to go into here, but I will say that the animations look very smooth and natural, with stances and swings identical to their real-life counterparts. The controls are very easy to learn, and it's not very complicated to sit down and play decently.

The best part is the franchise mode, which is deeper than any I've seen in any sports game anywhere. You have to hire, fire, and negotiate salaries with everyone, including your scouts, managers and minor-leaguers. You put a guy in charge of prospects, and he tells you when their ready for the big leagues. However, if you went out and hired the cheapest scout you could find, his prospects might not be so good. At the end of each season, it even has players retire, with some being voted to the hall of fame.

This game has every little feature and option you would find in every other baseball game, but the graphics and animation are the best in this one. What looks especially good is the ESPN style presentation. It looks just like something off tv when you are in a game. Also the announcers are not at all annoying, and their comments don't sound canned or repetitive.

If you want a great franchise or season mode, this is the best simulation out there. I would not hesitate this game to anyone who feels burned by All Star Baseball or Triple Play.

I was reluctant to spend [this much] on a baseball game, given that most baseball games get boring after a few weeks, but thought I'd give the Sega line a chance. I think WSB is worth the money if you're a big baseball fan (but I don't think any baseball game could be worth [this price] if you're not a true baseball fan).
The game play is exceptional; graphics are great. There are many many many options which allow you to tweek the difficulty any which way you like. On the default settings the first few games I couldn't buy a run (which is good b/c it makes for a challenge). Batting options are nice - you can set it to Timed Hitting (press a button - extremely boring), Standard Hitting with a Cursor (good - difficult at first), and Power Bar Hitting (a little harder). You can also change the Batting Cursor size -so if you're scoring too many runs, make the cursor size smaller. Pitching is similar in that you can tweek the Variable Pitching - turn it off and the pitcher (even if he pitches for Detroit) will paint the corners in and out - or turn it to High and watch your guy make some mistakes. And the game will punish your mistakes, which is nice for the realism. Don't leave pitches down the middle of the plate - they make for pretty movie cut-scenes of the other guy trotting around the bases. The ability (though rare) to rob a home run is pretty cool too.

I also really enjoy the General Manager function in Franchise mode. You can promote Rookies from the Minor Leagues - or leave them down there and groom them for the future. You can sign free agents, make trades (have to watch your Budget though). It's quite realistic - makes you a real George Steinbrenner.

Only negatives about the game - sometimes it seems like the players in the field lob the ball instead of throwing a bullet. The coaches names are ridiculously dumb (Sundial Serbert is my Coach?). The create a player is kind of weak in the appearance - not much customizing of the face - and the announcers won't pronounce the guy's name even if you named him Bill Smith. Again, baseball is a long season so if you're going to go the full 162 games, it can be a long haul.

Overall though, WSB is a very satisfying game for the true baseball fan. I think it's better than the other series out there but that's just my opinion...before purchasing them I'd rent a few of them first.

Okay, here's the deal. I am one of the pickiest and hard to please sports gamers out there. Now having said that, this game by far exceeded all the expectations I had for it. For one, I can see myself playing this season after season with its new in depth record mode. In it you can pit your existing players and have the strive to change history by breaking MLB records i.e. homeruns, stolen bases, strikeouts and much more both in season and lifetime. This was a thing that I actually knocked a lot of other games for, where when and if you finish one season you will sit and wonder where is the treat to keep you to play it again and again. In addition graphics in comparison blow away last years, the animimation is not just more detailed and realistic, but also captivating. The playability is also not predictable i.e. you already know where the ball is going to go after it is hit, or whether you're going to turn two off a grounder. This just goes to show how much more intense and in depth the gameplay has risen. I mean I even blew a routine play to first because my shortstop didn't get up fast enough. Also, just the sheer stat tracking is enough to keep you on. You have the ability to see the player potential of your minor leaguers and veterans. Trades are more realistic wherein you can make deals with cash money as an incentive to sweeten them up instead of the usual "DENIED". Lastly, the commentary is not the snooze fest you are accostomed to hearing, I mean come on they even brought a professional in.There are so many more things I can say about this game, but since I only have a 1000 words to do it I'll close by saying if you buy any other baseball game other than "World Series 2k3" you had better get a check up from the neck up. Thank You Sega for giving me a new reason to live.

This game is by far the best baseball game out there. The game-play is smoother, the graphics are better and the franchise mode is unbelievble! The best part of the game is the franchise mode. Here you can controll your minor leage team with more controll than ever before. You also have a mager, a minor leage director, a scouting director, and a bating and pitching coach. You controll how much time is spent on difernt things for each coach. For example, you can decide if you want your batting coach to focus on power hitting more, or contacts hitting. You also have to chnage your starting lineups form time to time becuase the hitters get tierd and needa break. It is also cool becuase there are lots awards your team can get. A new feature is your team gets more money for winning because your ball park sells out and so u get cash to spend on players and such. The only flaw is that if you play franchise mode, you have to draft your coaching staff. YOU DO NOT GET THE COACHES THAT ARE ALLREADY ON THE ORGINAL TEAM. But that is not that big of a deal. This game is awsome, and i highly recemend you get it!

This is by far the best baseball game for any console. It is most realistic and is most in depth. The graphics are excellent and most players look like themselves. The gameplay is great yet it lacks xbox live capability. there are all the stats that are in real MLB and throught hte year you can watch the # of all star votes so thats neat too. Everything in this game was done with quality and it truly deserves 5 stars.

General / Summary: WORLD SERIES BASEBALL 2K3 is definitely one of the best sports console games I have ever had the pleasure of playing. The game plays true to the sport of baseball while remaining extremely addictive in the gameplay. I highly recommend purchasing WS2K3 without hesitation.

Gameplay: This is one of the most realistic gameplay experiences within a sports game. The AI makes the right decision 99% of the time. The AI will make you pay for errors.

Visual: The stadiums are almost perfect renditions of real major league ballparks. The only thing that prevented me from giving the graphics a perfect score was the crowd and dugout. Sega needs a little direction from All-Star Baseball in this instance.

Sound: It would have been nice to have a more serious baseball dialogue between the announcers like All Star Baseball. Once again, Sega needs to look in All-Star Baseball's direction.

Suggestions to Developer: Sega, needs to work on the lively nature of the dugout and bullpen. They also need visits to the mound from the manager. In addition, they need to make it more difficult to steal a base.

First I was a little scared to purchase this title since I had purchased WSB 2K1 and soon discovered it was the WORST VIDEO GAME(even a $10)I had ever played!! WOW what a difference 2 years makes 2K3 is miles ahead of 2K1. The game play is very easy once you get all the controls down, the ballparks are awesome every detail right down to the pool at the BOB,the Coke bottle at the TED,the train & the hill at Minute Maid. Was so impressed with this title suggested it to my sister to purchase for her PS2. The only flaw is that there several players with the same faces. But other than that this game hits a Grand Slam. Would highly suggest to any one looking for a baseball game.

The options and gameplay of this game are top of the line. I've played MVP, High Heat, and Inside Pitch, and WSB is a step above them all. The best part is: Even after you get used to the game and become an "expert," the AI can get hot at any time in any game and beat you.

All in all, I have not played a better Baseball video game.

Best baseball game out there...most complete and fun

this game totally rocks. Last years version was good but all the new features in this years is awesome. Now you can control jumps and even scale the walls to rob homers. The cut off man is really easy to hit this year. You can now pitch from the pitcher mounds view and to my surprise this works very well. the graphics are the best out of all the new baseball games and the controls are second to none. If you are looking for the best baseball game on any system this is the one. You wont go wrong with WSB 2k3.