MLB Slugfest 20-03

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Midway
  • Release Date: Jun 23, 2002
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Gaming Age
    91
    It looks great, and more importantly, it plays great.
  2. GamePen
    90
    You wouldn’t think stats would be such a big deal in an arcade over the top game, but they’re here – by player and by team. Pretty impressive – I wasn’t expecting that at all.
  3. Media and Games Online Network
    87
    The gameplay is loads of fun and the visuals easily surpass any baseball game currently out there. The only problem lies with how long you will be playing it for, as the replay value lacks a bit.
  5. GamerWeb Sony
    85
    A huge success. With great graphics, hilarious situations, and solid gameplay, MLB Slugfest 20-03 brings fun to a sport that is known for its slow-paced tempo.
  6. TotalPlayStation
    85
    Slugfest’s crowning achievement is the audio. It is absolutely, positively stunning, and I’d be hard pressed to find a better example of not only quality writing but a mix of subtle and flat our humor in a game.
  7. Gamer's Pulse
    84
    The smooth mixture of classic baseball gameplay and new-school baseball violence works well, and had the game’s defensive system been better, MLB Slugfest 20-03 would’ve been the perfect arcade baseball game.
  8. IGN
    83
    Brilliantly illustrated and animated, flawlessly announced, and a synch to get into, there is little holding the baseballer back.
  9. GameZone
    82
    The game’s finishing touches are what set the game apart from other titles. Nothing brings people out of their seats like good old-fashioned violence, and Slugfest will keep you on for feet for hours.
  10. GameSpot
    81
    An incredibly appealing sports game. While it doesn't possess the sheer addictiveness of, say, "NFL Blitz," it's simultaneously a breath of fresh air and a nostalgic look at the baseball game genre.
  11. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    80
    Realistic? Nope. But it makes for a nail-bitingly dramatic pitcher/batter interface - something everyone's been dying to capture since NES's "Baseball Stars." [August 2002, p.109]
    All this publication's reviews
  12. PSX Nation
    80
    Not since "Baseball Stars" have I enjoyed an arcade Baseball game this much.
  13. Armchair Empire
    80
    There’s no denying that the visuals are perhaps some of the best yet seen for a PlayStation 2 baseball game.
  14. G4 TV
    80
    Perhaps the best thing about MLB Slugfest 20-03 is how well all the different elements come together to create a game that is both recognizably baseball and something you've never played before. The "extreme" additions work exceedingly well in the baseball setting.
  15. PSM Magazine
    80
    The most fun we've had playing a baseball game this year. [August 2002, p.22]
    All this publication's reviews
  16. netjak
    78
    The hardcore baseball game fans won't like it, and I don't know how many other people like me are out there who are just really, really tired of dealing with the seemingly decreasing value of gameplay in these baseball games. I liked it though.
    All this publication's reviews
  17. Game Informer
    78
    This one seems to have a bit more "oomph" than its predecessors. [August 2002, p.79]
    All this publication's reviews
  18. Operation Sports
    78
    With all of the features and fun that Slugfest has, the game has a problem with longevity. After you have unlocked all of the extras there really isn’t much else to play for.
  19. GameNow
    75
    The best looking baseball game on the market. [August 2002, p.44]
    All this publication's reviews
  20. Game Revolution
    75
    It gets repetitive pretty quickly. After playing for a few hours, all the games start to feel the same.
  21. GameSpy
    73
    A fun but underwhelming title thanks to a lack of replay value and miscellaneous quirks.
  22. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    72
    Gorgeous, fast-paced and balanced enough to offer fleeting fun whenever it's booted up. [August 2002, p.126]
    All this publication's reviews
  23. All Game Guide
    70
    One of the silliest baseball games ever and is one of few to have such a balanced combination of style, humor, and gameplay.
  24. Sports Gaming Network
    64
    If it weren't for the remarkable performance of the play-by-play duo this score would be much lower. If you can somehow master the entire manual switching and controlling, Slugfest might be a fun game. I just can't get over how frustrating the game was.
  25. Yahoo!
    60
    A well-crafted game with some incredible graphics, but it gets old very quickly.
  26. XenGamers
    33
    This marriage of baseball and extreme attitude should be annulled.

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Best PS2 Game of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. [Anonymous]
    Oct 21, 2002
    2
    This game gets very repetitive-- I don't understand why this got such high reviews. I can't stand slugfest.
  2. SeanR.
    Aug 6, 2002
    9
    It's a really fun game to play and the A.I is actually good when you get to play the tougher teams. The Graphics are also really sharp. It's a really fun game to play and the A.I is actually good when you get to play the tougher teams. The Graphics are also really sharp. This game stands with it's arcade predecesors of NFL Blitz and NHL Hitz.… Full Review »
  3. JoshC.
    Jul 31, 2002
    10
    This is the best game anyone could have made. Sometimes baseball gets boring videogame wise but this game gives you all the action you want. This is the best game anyone could have made. Sometimes baseball gets boring videogame wise but this game gives you all the action you want. I play this game non stop.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »