Slugfest 20-04 plays much the same as its predecessor, with an easy-to-pick up control scheme and a focus on action. Unlike other baseball sims, Slugfest 20-04 doesn't cripple the player with overwhelming control options or complex team management features. The learning curve is very short with Slugfest, meaning you'll be swinging the bat like a pro in no time.

The control scheme, as I've said, is really aimed at being a "pick-up-and-play." Even if you've never played a video baseball title, you'll find yourself quickly getting used to Slugfest's controls. The control layout changes to fit your current gameplay situation; there's a specific config for pitching, batting and base running. For example, when pitching, the face buttons let you choose a pitch while using the left analog stick to direct it, while when fielding, the those same buttons direct throws to specific bases.

All the players in Slugfest are modeled on their real-world counterparts, ensuring that they copy everything from swing style to batting stances. Pitchers are especially detailed, coming equipped with only the pitches they can throw in the real-word, while being likewise limited in their throwing speed. Since Slugfest is related to NFL Blitz, players can get temporary power ups through the use of the Turbo button and from becoming "on fire." A player becomes "on fire" after successfully beating up a pitcher or having a successful series of "at bats." That's right, you're rewarded for rushing the mound, but only after the pitcher has beaned you with a ball. Once a player is "on fire" his batting, running and throwing stats all become maxed out until he's called out in a play. Along with the Turbo and "on fire" elements, a pitcher can obtain special pitches. These special pitches are the Saturday morning cartoon version of a real pitch, with wild zigzagging throws being their trademark.

Slugfest wouldn't be a Midway sports title without the trademark fighting and aggression, which there is plenty of in Slugfest 20-04. Batters don't take kindly to being beaned by a stray (or intentional) pitch, delivering a sound beating to the offending pitcher. Some players are aggressive enough to beat up on the basemen in an attempt to knock the ball loose and gain a chance at running out another base. If you're the type looking for a more realistic game, you can simply turn off aggression to enjoy a "real" baseball game.

As a whole, Slugfest looks good. The players are excellent likenesses of their real world counterparts, right down to the way they hold the bat before swinging. They move smoothly with no noticeable stutter. The players even reflect a little emotion during the game, from whimpering after a bad "at bat" to turning into screaming hellions as they chase down the pitcher for a little payback.

The stadiums are nice looking, though it would have been nice to see some more detail in the crowd. Crowds tend to be very basic, just a mass of waving pixels. I would have loved to just once have seen someone lean over the wall to catch a pop foul, but unfortunately, details like this are not to be found in Slugfest.

Lastly, there are a lot of humorous graphical touches to Slugfest, including the pitcher arrogantly catching the ball behind his back, or batters weeping after being nailed by a stray ball which should keep you laughing for a good long time.

Slugfest lives up to the traditions set by other games in the Midway sports series by serving up some hilarious commentary and good in-game sounds. It is a baseball game, so you can't expect much variety to the sound effects, but what there is happens to be really good. The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, or a punch to the gut of the baseman all sound realistic, lacking any cartoon qualities at all. The commentators, while sometimes incredibly redundant, are generally a good laugh to listen to with scathing comments thrown about for whiffing batters, and high praise for those who can blast a ball out of the park. It's also pretty funny to hear a person in the crowd groan when hit by a stray pop fly.

It's a baseball game, so as long as you enjoy baseball, you're going to enjoy playing MLB Slugfest 20-04 for a good long time. With a rich mix of real-world teams and the option to create your own, you should find plenty of replay here. Multiplayer mode and the home run derby both allow you to change up the gameplay a bit to squeeze some more life out of Slugfest.

While it may not be detailed enough to satisfy true baseball hardcores, MLB Slugfest 20-04 is the shot in the arm the sport needs on consoles. Instead of focusing on extreme details and complex play modes, Slugfest aims to be pure fun. Should you tire of the on-base fights and pitcher smackdowns, it's a simple option change to make the game more realistic. I'd suggest MLB Slugfest 20-04 to anyone looking for an easy to play baseball title with a character all its own.

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