Super Mega Baseball 4

 Xbox Series X
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. TheXboxHub
    Jun 9, 2023
    60
    MLB The Show is still the undisputed king of baseball games. Super Mega Baseball 4 is there for the casual or younger players, but it’ll be hard to keep eyes on this for very long. It feels quite soulless and devoid of personality.

Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2023
52
#52 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2023

User Reviews

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User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 2 out of 6
  1. DirtDog13
    Jun 8, 2023
    3
    Marginal improvement at best from SMB3 to SMB4. Overall, a disappointing release from Metalhead.

    THE GOOD The new player models are a welcome    Marginal improvement at best from SMB3 to SMB4. Overall, a disappointing release from Metalhead.

    THE GOOD
    The new player models are a welcome addition. Players did lose a bit of uniqueness, especially the “buff” players, however moving to a more realistic style body is a net positive for the game overall.

    The addition of Legends brings faces from all eras of baseball from Babe Ruth and David Ortiz to Mark Loretta and Jeff Fassero. It is incredibly entertaining to throw these former pros in amongst the clever names we are used to from SMB. Seeing Johnny Damon alongside a dude named Slapper Glutes is precisely what these games were made for.

    Hecklers make a comeback and come locked and loaded to harass every player on the field. No player is exempt from being on the receiving end and it continues the light feel the series is known for. Franchise mode has received some love in the addition of team chemistry, managerial moments, and player loyalty. However, these additions are marred by bugs and errors (more below). —————————-
    THE BAD
    In-Game audio is bad. While the game’s light-hearted feel has been a strong point, the hard turn into an almost whimsical nature with the in-game audio was a step back. Nearly every play has some sort of extra audio tied into it, from throws, pitches, and every time contact is made. The umpires are fun for a game or two before becoming a hinderance.

    Maybe the umpires wouldn’t be so annoying if the strike zone wasn’t as poor as it is. A constant issue for the series, the strike zone still struggles with high pitches. However, SMB4 has an additional issue. During online play (it seems to be most common there) pitches at the batter’s head level or pitches so far inside it activates the dodge animation for the batter are being called strikes. Franchise mode still struggles to get basic statistics correct. Players who enter a game but do not record a plate appearance are not credited with playing a game. There are still no box scores for previously completed games. Earned/Unearned runs are not tabulated correctly RBIs also struggle with being accurately assessed. The new additions to franchise are hampered by Metalhead’s inability to get the bare basics correct. Managerial moments are far too frequent and have a negative impact overall on the mode, specifically with loyalty. Reworked, they could be a positive, but as it stands they’re nothing more than failed attempt to add depth. For instance, after subbing in Mark Loretta during a blowout as a defensive sub late (and that appearance not counting since he did not record an AB) I was met with a managerial moment after the game to console one of two players who felt sad they didn’t play (both did play as subs), I was forced to watch Mark’s “loyalty” drop by 25 points because 1) I had to choose one of two players and 2) Metalhead’s inability to properly keep stats meant Loretta and another player were the ones to suffer. Players still cannot sim multiple games at once. ————————-
    THE UGLY
    Customization, once THE biggest highlight to the game is unchanged from SMB3. No additional logos, jerseys, or fonts. The UI has taken 10 steps back. What used to be a simple two or three button presses/menus to create a team has somehow devolved into a messy process where in order to create a single team, you must create an entire league. The UI is bloated and messy, even in-game. The price point. The jump in price makes everything negative about SMB4 even worse. At a lower price point, it’s worth dealing with some of the issues plaguing the game and series, however, as EA and Metalhead have decided to raise the price, the expectations are higher.

    Simply, the game isn’t worth $50.    … Full Review »
  2. SixZealand
    Jun 6, 2023
    10
    Loving and light-hearted tribute to America's national pastime. Camera angles include an overhead view of players hustling out onto the field,Loving and light-hearted tribute to America's national pastime. Camera angles include an overhead view of players hustling out onto the field, as though filmed from a Goodyear blimp. Improves on all aspects of SMB3, featuring, in particular, improved catcher movements, a larger outfield with more challenging fielding dynamics, and a ballpark soundscape of hecklers and concession-hawkers. The ballparks are gorgeous, surrounded as they are by rollercoasters, verdant mountains, or Hong Kong-like towering cityscapes. The fundamental gameplay, the batting and pitching and fielding, is largely unchanged from SMB3--a good thing. Every time you play the game you will notice something new in the colorful ballparks and environs: that much love was put into this game.… Full Review »
  3. Jacktronics
    Jun 4, 2023
    3
    I'd like to say that I like this game, but it was rushed for release. It's buggy as Hell. As you select teams, it usually takes 10-15I'd like to say that I like this game, but it was rushed for release. It's buggy as Hell. As you select teams, it usually takes 10-15 seconds for the next player/team to show.

    If you plan to customize this game, don't!

    Unless you can patch this yourself, you'll be waiting through EVERY menu.

    EA continues to destroy good game franchises.    … Full Review »
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