Little League World Series Baseball 2009 Review

Enter any game shop today, and take a glance at the vast rows of software titles. One thing becomes instantly clear: franchises reign supreme. Whether it’s a shooter sequel or a movie-to-game adaptation, companies seem to throw around substantial money getting such licenses slapped on the covers of their games. Has this franchise frenzy made our games any better? Probably not. With the legendary brand recognition of Major League Baseball being controlled by a larger company, the folks at Activision have found some degree of relief in an often overlooked source – Little League.

You may laugh, and ask yourself “Why would I play a Little League baseball game? If I’m going to experience a baseball fantasy, it should be in the Big League!” This is a perfectly sound line of thought. However, to discard this title merely because of its league would mean ignoring an excellent game. Another potential excuse to avoid buying Little League 2009 would be the game’s cartoonish art style. No self-respecting adult could be seen purchasing such a childish-looking game, right? This is nonsense, of course – anyone who has ever taken a look at the graphic styles of Zelda or Mario (two of the most successful video game franchises of all time, mind you) knows that a game’s visual style has absolutely no impact on the level of fun you’ll have with the game.

Little League World Series Baseball 2009 actually utilizes its unique visual design to revitalize the baseball gaming genre. Rather than being forced to stare at a bunch of square-jawed pretty boys, frowning their way throughout the entire season, you’ll be treated to vibrant display of color, lively animations, and perhaps even the occasional display of emotion. Little League manages to achieve that rare balance of accessibility for younger audiences and enjoyable gameplay for veteran players. This extends far beyond the cosmetic surface of the game, however. The controls scheme is adaptable for several styles of play. An inexperienced player can choose a setting that enables simple swings with the Wii mote in order play most of the game. More advanced users can take advantage of the more extensive controller functionality, which can be used to manipulate the subtlest of angles when batting and pitching. There’s even a special skill meter than will reward players for their success in the game by letting them unleash outlandish maneuvers that may turn the tide of a rigorous play session.

The casual observer might be quick to point out the similarities between this title and the popular Wii Sports baseball game. However, there’s a lot to be said of a game that devotes itself entirely to this great American pastime. One of the immediately noticeable differences is the level of customization available to the player. It’s not quite on the level of some fancy baseball simulations, but adding these personal touches really does help to foster a sense of pride with the team that you helped design, from logos to uniforms. It’s certainly a deeper baseball experience, although it is worth noting that this is not intended to be hardcore game for players to get heavily entrenched in. It is simply good, clean fun that doesn’t require tremendous commitments or hours of training. This makes it particularly appealing for groups of people or parties, with up to four-player gameplay supported.

Speaking of training, Little League offers a set of challenges that will greatly help players hone their skills. Some of these can get rather grueling at higher levels, but for the most part, they can help to raise the player’s confidence and comfort with the game’s mechanics before setting foot in the league itself. Perhaps more important than their purpose is the fun they offer, and this is truly the core of the entire game. Little League World Series 2009 may not be the next revolution in baseball gaming, but its charm and style certainly earn it a distinctive spot within the library of sports games on the Wii.

Review Scoring Details for Little League World Series Baseball 2009

Gameplay: 8.0
Perhaps a bit too simple for some tastes, but the fun factor is difficult to ignore.

Graphics: 8.0
Clean and colorful, and extraordinarily exaggerated in every way.

Sound: 7.0
A bit more variety would be nice, but overall pleasing to the ear.

Difficulty: Medium
An adequate array of training challenges to make them feel as fair as possible.

Concept: 7.0
An interesting spin on the classic baseball genre.

Multiplayer: 7.0
Nice and simple for party play, there’s little to complain about here.

Overall: 8.0
The Little League has never looked this good. Given the amount of fun you can have without getting caught up in a bunch of complicated mechanics, this is a great pick for casual ball fans.