NFL Blitz? Yup, that’s Midway. NHL Hitz? That’s them, too. MLB SlugFest follows those themes, with over-the-top action that stays true to baseball’s roots while including a little supercharged rule-bending for good measure.

SlugFest 20-03 was the first-year expansion team of baseball games, but its combination of licensed teams, gameplay options and tantrum-like violence made it the year’s top-selling hardball game on the PS2. Yes, all the Major League teams made the roster. And yes, the game included a solid assortment of modes, including Exhibition, Team-by-Team Challenge, Tournament and a 52-game Season. But the big draw, as with most of the Midway Sports titles, was the unbridled “passion” with which you could play the game.

Expect MLB SlugFest 20-04 to feature much of the same, plus a few upgrades to help it along in its second season. All the leaping, diving and wall-climbing catches that made 20-03 a hit will still be there, and there will be even more attention on fast gameplay, powerful hits and the general highlight-reel feel of 20-03.

The sleek pitcher/batter interface is certainly on deck, and although the pitcher can still extend the strike zone to any sensitive part of your body, you’ll be able to take advantage of the action-oriented gameplay by helping the batter charge the mound. Then again, maybe you’ll choose to take one for the team.

See, while beaning the batter (or being beaned) sounds like senseless violence, it actually will play an important strategic role. Beaning your opponent in the head will reduce his hitting ability, while body shots reduce his strength and leg shots hamper his speed. Pop him one too many times behind the plate, though, and he’ll go Hulk Hogan on you, suddenly becoming engulfed in flames and staring you down with rage- and steroid-charged statistics. Naturally, if you’re the batter this can work to your advantage.

The graphics in SlugFest 20-04 are set to be even more polished than the top-notch graphics in its rookie-year predecessor. This is due in large part to the extra time the team could devote to polishing the player animations and dynamic camera angles. SlugFest 20-04 will build upon many of the 1,500 exaggerated player animations, including crotch-grabbing and one-handed catches, plus add a few extras to the mix. And as for the dynamic camera angles, expect to be able to watch your flame-trailed homeruns leave the stadium from just about any camera angle imaginable.

And how ‘bout them stadiums? Like its Blitz and Hitz brethren, SlugFest 20-04 will present gamers with some well-hidden and extremely outlandish scenarios and locales in addition to the real-life stadiums you’d expect from a solid hardball game. Some of the craziest secrets in 20-03 included a ballpark based on ancient Rome and character models with a closer resemblance to dolphins than humans. It’s all in good fun, of course, and for Midway Sports’ titles, that’s the name of the game.

The official announcement regarding final features and enhancements to SlugFest 20-04 is set for early 2003, and we can only hope that online play will make an appearance in next year’s version. Stay tuned to DailyGame.net for more information as it becomes available. Batter up!