Jason Hasselkus

It’s finally here, the game I have been waiting for. 2K Sports has produced the first full-fledged baseball game for the Wii. If the game play for this game is somewhat realistic, watch out Zelda and Tiger Woods, The Bigs will be the showcase game for the Wii. I’m most excited about the Rookie Challenge, which instead of playing a full 162 game regular season, you create a position player and travel from stadium to stadium and master specific challenges. The rookies really start out weak, but the 12 training minigames all you to improve your skills in five areas :

• Power
• Contact
• Glove
• Baserunning
• Arm

For instance, as you get better, you might be tasked with various “boss battles”, such as a footrace with Ichiro or going to San Diego to chase the closer Trevor Hoffman. The player creation is by far the fun and unique part of the game, but don’t forget the rest of your team. There are “Player Steal” contests which will allow you to pull an All-Star caliber player from another roster and add it to yours if you win the game. You’ll want to do this so that you can help your rookie get the ultimate reward.. World Series MVP.
Another unique feature that 2K Sports offer is a four player mode. Although four player modes are not unique to Wii games, it just might be the first sports game that allows all four players to be doing something at the same time. Can you think of a better way to spend your weekend afternoons when the weather outside doesn’t allow you to be outside? I can’t!
Like all video games, there has to be some “Over the Top” game play action, and The Bigs doesn’t disappoint in that area either. During the game, the better you play the more your power meter fills up. And once that meter reaches a certain level your ready to trigger the “Power Blast” if your batting, and if your pitching you can bring the heat with “Big Heat”. Can you imagine both players reaching the height of their power at the same time? Talk about exciting game play.
For this game you’re going to need both the Wii remote and the nunchuck. You’ll swing at the ball with the Wii remote and run the bases by shaking the remote and nunchuck in alternating motion, like playing the drums. Want to slide? Just slam both handhelds down at the same time, and look up at the umpire to see the call. You’ll run the same in the outfield to snag a fly ball or dive for one. Watch out for the teams power hitters, you may just have to climb the wall by lifting both controllers over your head to climb the wall. My advice, don’t try this in left field at Boston or Cleveland, you won’t get very far. On the mound you’ll use the buttons to select your pitch and go through the throwing motion like you would Wii Sports Baseball. Your arm speed and wrist movement affect the velocity and break on the ball. Be careful, you don’t want to end up having Tommy Johns at the end of your rookie campaign.
In all, I’m very excited to get my hands on this game. It’s about my only chance to play in all the major league stadiums against all the best players, all from the comfort of my living room.