R.B.I. Baseball 20

 Xbox One
Metascore
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No score yet - based on 2 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 1 out of 2
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  1. TheXboxHub
    Mar 28, 2020
    60
    With a few extras and a bit more attention to player movements and graphics this could be a homerun. But then again this is a licenced sports game at half the price of a regular game, which at least makes it a two-base hit.

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User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Xbox_Alive
    Mar 24, 2020
    8
    R.B.I. Baseball 20 is Major League Baseball’s official game, and the only MLB game franchise for the Xbox One family of consoles, and returnsR.B.I. Baseball 20 is Major League Baseball’s official game, and the only MLB game franchise for the Xbox One family of consoles, and returns this year with RBI Baseball 20, with developers promising a makeover in its hitting and pitching systems, plus an update to ball physics and fielder AI. While changes have been implemented changes year over year since the launch of when R.B.I. Baseball 14 first appearing for the Xbox One in 2014, they just can’t seem to find the sweet spot the fun loving NES game had so many years ago. It’s almost as if they are trying to hard to make the game a full blown retail release and keep the fans of old happy at the same time. It’s not a bad game, it’s just not the advancements a fan of Major League Baseball might be yearning for. The mechanics took a bit to get the feel of and for me, it just misses the fun factor of yesteryear. Remember Baseball Stars 2 which was SNKs Neo Geo port to the NES? I’d love to see RBI franchise head in more of an updated version of that vs what we have seen over the last 7 years in changes or improvements. It’s just missing the simplicity and fun factor and quite possibly the nostalgia I have for these games go beyond how good they use to seem, but as I age along with the franchise it would be nice to see a complete overhaul for 2021 in the look, feel and fun factor I so dearly miss from this classic franchise. It’s definitely something die hard fans MLB fans will enjoy, but if you’re looking for a complete new experience this year I think you may be let down if you’re just a casual player. Again I don’t want to take away from what the franchise has accomplished over the last 7 years as I stated earlier it isn’t bad at all, it’s just not quite what I was expecting from their focus on delivering a much improved game this year. R.B.I. Baseball has the potential to hit a grand slam, it just hasn’t got the bases loaded quite yet.… Full Review »
  2. rulezops
    Oct 31, 2020
    9
    Been reading a lot of negative reviews about this game but I've had fun playing the modern version with the sim graphics and controls. RostersBeen reading a lot of negative reviews about this game but I've had fun playing the modern version with the sim graphics and controls. Rosters are very up to date and you gotta watch out for Randy Arozarena just like in real life!

    The controls are easy to understand and are well calibrated with the onscreen graphics. Hitting seems very realistic and I was surprised how authentic it felt trying to gauge power and location every pitch. Pitching is equally detailed and fielding is intuitive enough with the AI doing the work getting you the jump on the ball in the right direction while you do the rest.

    As for the graphics, I guess they are a bit clunky looking at first compared to the latest EA sports and 2K but still on the level of console quality IMO. Not all the animations are spot on (Bo Bichette looking like Mitch WIlliams lol) but others are pretty accurate down to the hitting stances and pitching motions (Bryce Harper and David Price) among others.

    Basically if you're a Major League Baseball fan looking for a fun diversion that seems pretty accurate on the gameplay and ballpark atmosphere in 2019/2020 then RBI Baseball is a great choice that hits the right spots. Gameplay feels legit and it's fun. I played for 6 hours straight barely noticed. Best part is the pace means high concentration but low button mashing so you don't get the sore fingers other sports games dish out . Finally I really enjoyed the insanely melodic neo-power-pop soundtrack featuring a lot of bands I never heard of before but would have been big with the Friends crowd in the late 90s.

    The cons aren't really anything that hurt the game. As far as I know there's no classic teams or classic ballparks in the Xbox version (online version may differ). I can see why some may not like that but really the point of the game is to promote MLB to young people and Xbox gamers today so I understand why that choice was made. There's also not a lot of room for creating players although I'm sure you can do some basic edits if you insist. RBI makes up for that with very complete roster updates and a decent stat engine so the game plays like a baseball card set come to life.

    Also there's no announcers or replay. As for announcers that's fine. Baseball fans generally prefer to watch local cable broadcasts rather than national TV games, so there's no fixed template a game can emulate like 2K21 emulates the Turner sports NBA broadcasts. So the feel is more like how it actually is at a MLB game in the stands and I have to say it is quite realistic once you are playing games. The only thing I do think the critics have a point with is the lack of replays. It would be nice if some diving catches or long home runs got replayed - maybe next year.

    Anyways, RBI baseball 20 is a fine game for MLB fans who like to play arcade baseball with simulated stats and teams. The stat engine is good enough and the graphics are adequate to stunning in terms of realism. The gameplay is smooth and predictable and mesh nicely with the onscreen action and the game rarely feels "cheap" or random which is the kiss of death in these endeavors.

    I'm not a video game expert but I've played games for a long time. Where this game stands in the history of every game made remains to be seen but those looking to run David Price out there in a Blue Jays uniform to start a Game 7 against San Diego will find all that they want and more right here. For MLB fans only.    … Full Review »
  3. tone863
    Mar 18, 2020
    8
    This is by far not MLB the Show but they are also two different types of games. The Show is a simulation style and RBI is more Arcade. RBI19This is by far not MLB the Show but they are also two different types of games. The Show is a simulation style and RBI is more Arcade. RBI19 wasn't a bad game, it was fun if you liked the old style of games from the Nintendo years and didn't mind the glitches. Me and my son would play and the glitches added to the "entertainment".

    That being said, RBI20 is a lot better and improved over 19. The graphics still lag behind the Show and there are still glitches but the gameplay improved immensely. It's not a perfect game but it is heading the right direction. As opposed to the show, if you have never played either game, this game is way easier to pick up and play.    … Full Review »
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