I went to the video store a couple of weeks back really looking forward to playing a baseball game that goes far beyond what is available on Wii Sports. Originally I was looking for Major League Baseball 2008 by 2KGames, but it wasn't available. So, instead I decided to rent The Bigs which is also made by 2KGames, it was one of the first "full" baseball games available for the Wii.

I have to say the graphics and options in the game are pretty good, but the controls, gameplay and AI (for all the wrong reasons) are horrid!

I started off doing the tutorials to learn how to do all of the moves in the game, so far so good, well other than the awkward outfield throws in to the bases.

So I started up an exhibition game and played versus the computer on normal mode. After playing the game I had lost 16-1, not a big deal I thought since it was the first time playing the game. But then I tried playing a two more games and every time I was absolutely trounced for the following reasons.

1. The computer seems to know where the balls are going before they get there and is able to pick off baseballs almost instantly and throw you out. When I try and do that the controls are so clumsy that it's hard to even run in a straight line.
2. The way base throwing works is that you move the Wiimote towards the base that you want to throw too, and an amazing 90% of the time it is thrown to a different base. Meaning you hardly ever get the computer out.

The pitching in the game is actually pretty good, but the fielding is horrid. At this point I was starting the get a little annoyed and did the tutorials again, played another two games, got pissed off, wanted to kill something, and so I took a break. My wife decided that she would try it out, maybe thinking I suck (haha), after she was done the tutorial, we tried playing the game together on easy and lost 22-0.

Now I've played many other baseball games and never had so much trouble actually playing a game. The main reason for losing so bad is that the controls with the Wiimote are horrible and inaccurate! It would make more sense to have the player press the D-pad in the direction the base that you want to throw to, for crying out loud it looks like a baseball field, but NO you have press the Z button on the nunchuck and then flick the wiimote towards the base you want.

This is a quick run down of playing a game:

1. Batting: You're Out! in 2 min because the computer catches and throws like a hacker.
2. Pitching: The computer is really good at hitting and the fielders can't catch or throw, meaning that you have to load up the bases a few times before you're able to strike enough players out.
3. Rinse, Repeat.

I have played a lot of bad games, but at least the basics of the game usually worked. With Wii Bigs you might as well just watch two computer players play each other, it would be more fun.

You may have more luck playing baseball in real life on your own against a whole team. If you don't believe me, go rent the game and let me know what your experience is. Cause I would be interested in hearing an opinion from someone who actually liked the game.

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