Super Mega Baseball#Super Mega Baseball 3
{{short description|Video game series}}
Super Mega Baseball is a baseball video game series developed by the independent studio Metalhead Software in Victoria, BC, Canada and published by EA Sports.{{cite news|title=Super Mega Baseball Coming to PS4, PS3 this Fall|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/09/17/super-mega-baseball-coming-to-ps4-ps3-this-fall/|accessdate=May 5, 2015|date=September 17, 2014|archive-date=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504182650/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/09/17/super-mega-baseball-coming-to-ps4-ps3-this-fall/|url-status=live}}
''Super Mega Baseball''
{{Infobox video game
|title = Super Mega Baseball
| image = Super Mega Baseball Game Cover.png
| developer = Metalhead Software{{efn|Nvidia Lightspeed Studios developed the Nvidia Shield version.|lead=yes}}
| publisher = Metalhead Software
| platforms = Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 3
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Shield Android TV
| genre = Sports
| released = PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4{{vgrelease|NA|December 16, 2014|EU|April 1, 2015}}Xbox One{{vgrelease|WW|August 14, 2015}}Steam{{vgrelease|WW|August 21, 2015}}Shield Android TV{{vgrelease|WW|March 24, 2016}}
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
=History=
The first game, Super Mega Baseball, was released on December 16, 2014 as a PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 cross-buy title on the U.S. PlayStation Store.{{cite news|title=Arcade-style indie sports game Super Mega Baseball launches Dec. 16|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/12/3/7327439/arcade-style-indie-sports-game-super-mega-baseball-launches-dec-16|accessdate=May 5, 2015|publisher=Polygon|date=December 3, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094821/http://www.polygon.com/2014/12/3/7327439/arcade-style-indie-sports-game-super-mega-baseball-launches-dec-16|url-status=live}} It was released on the European PlayStation Store on April 1, 2015.{{cite news|title=Breakout indie sports hit Super Mega Baseball goes to Europe this week|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/3/30/8315169/breakout-indie-sports-hit-super-mega-baseball-goes-to-europe-this-week|accessdate=May 3, 2015|publisher=Polygon|date=March 30, 2015|archive-date=May 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502080752/http://www.polygon.com/2015/3/30/8315169/breakout-indie-sports-hit-super-mega-baseball-goes-to-europe-this-week|url-status=live}}
An updated version called Super Mega Baseball: Extra Innings was released on Xbox One on August 14, 2015 and it was released on Steam for PC on August 21, 2015.{{Cite web|url=http://supermegabaseball.com/extra-innings-release-dates-set/|title=Extra Innings release dates set|access-date=2015-07-29|archive-date=2019-03-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190316142822/http://supermegabaseball.com/extra-innings-release-dates-set/|url-status=live}} The extra features from this version were released as free DLC for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in 2016. Super Mega Baseball: Extra Innings was released on Shield Android TV on March 24, 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://shield.nvidia.com/blog/super-mega-baseball-game|title=Play Super Mega Baseball: Extra Innings on SHIELD | SHIELD Blog|website=NVIDIA SHIELD|access-date=2016-03-25|archive-date=2016-03-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331084841/https://shield.nvidia.com/blog/super-mega-baseball-game|url-status=live}}
Super Mega Baseball was a critical success, earning an average score of 85/100 on Metacritic, based on 14 reviews.{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-mega-baseball/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|title=Super Mega Baseball|website=Metacritic|access-date=2019-11-25|archive-date=2020-03-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316075149/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/super-mega-baseball|url-status=live}} Gaming-Age gave the game a grade of "A," saying that "Because really, Super Mega Baseball is the sort of fun, easy to pick up diversion that video game baseball was at the very beginning of its lifespan — and if it's as great as it is here, there's every reason to believe it can still fulfill that function."{{Cite web|url=https://www.gaming-age.com/2014/12/super-mega-baseball-review-ps4/|title=Super Mega Baseball review for PS4, PS3|first=Matthew|last=Pollesel|date=December 16, 2014|website=Gaming Age|access-date=November 25, 2019|archive-date=May 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525172014/http://www.gaming-age.com/2014/12/super-mega-baseball-review-ps4/|url-status=live}} IGN, meanwhile, gave the game an 8.1 "Great" rating, praising the game's sense of humor and easy pick-up-and-play gameplay, but criticising its presentation.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/01/07/super-mega-baseball-review|title=Super Mega Baseball Review - IGN|date=7 January 2015 |via=www.ign.com|access-date=2019-11-25|archive-date=2020-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524003612/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/01/07/super-mega-baseball-review|url-status=live}} It was named "Sports Game of the Year" by Polygon.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/12/17/7408391/2014-in-review-sports-game-of-the-year|title=2014 in review: The sports video game of the year|first=Owen S.|last=Good|date=December 17, 2014|website=Polygon|access-date=November 25, 2019|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119152139/https://www.polygon.com/2014/12/17/7408391/2014-in-review-sports-game-of-the-year|url-status=live}}
=Features=
Super Mega Baseball supports 1 – 4 players in local competitive or co-operative play. Primary game modes include Exhibition and Season.{{cite news|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/09/17/super-mega-baseball-coming-to-ps4-ps3-this-fall/|title=Super Mega Baseball Coming to PS4, PS3 this Fall|date=September 17, 2014|accessdate=May 5, 2015|archive-date=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504182650/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/09/17/super-mega-baseball-coming-to-ps4-ps3-this-fall/|url-status=live}} The game has 216 customizable players and 24 umpires, as well as four different ballparks (6 in the Super Mega Baseball: Extra Innings version).{{cite web|url=http://supermegabaseball.com/learn-about-smb/|title=Learn about SMB|website=Super Mega Baseball|publisher=Metalhead Software|access-date=2015-05-04|archive-date=2018-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919083257/http://supermegabaseball.com/learn-about-smb/|url-status=live}}
{{clear}}
''Super Mega Baseball 2''
{{Infobox video game
| qid = Q114977012
|title = Super Mega Baseball 2
| image = Super_Mega_Baseball_2_Game_Cover.jpg
| developer = Metalhead Software
| publisher = Metalhead Software
| platforms = Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Nintendo Switch
| genre = Sports
| released = Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
May 1, 2018
Nintendo Switch
July 25, 2019{{Cite web |last=Synchronize |date=2019-07-18 |title=Super Mega Baseball 2: Ultimate Edition Swings Onto Switch July 25th |url=https://nintendosoup.com/super-mega-baseball-2-ultimate-edition-swings-onto-switch-july-25th/ |access-date=2024-01-17 |website=NintendoSoup |language=en-US}}
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
=History=
Developer Metalhead Software announced the second installment in the series, Super Mega Baseball 2, on September 28, 2016. Super Mega Baseball 2 was released in 2018 as it had been delayed, and includes updated art, online multiplayer, and full customization.{{cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=September 28, 2016 |title=Super Mega Baseball 2 coming in 2017, adds online play and more |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/9/28/13081364/super-mega-baseball-2-ps4-xbox-one-pc-trailer |website=Polygon |accessdate=October 3, 2016 |archive-date=October 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001085321/http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/28/13081364/super-mega-baseball-2-ps4-xbox-one-pc-trailer |url-status=live }} On April 20, 2018, Metalhead Software announced that the game would be released on May 1, 2018.{{cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=April 20, 2018 |title=PS4/Xbox One/PC's Super Mega Baseball 2 Gets Release Date |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps4xbox-onepcs-super-mega-baseball-2-gets-release-/1100-6458339/ |website=GameSpot |accessdate=April 23, 2018 |archive-date=April 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422051548/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps4xbox-onepcs-super-mega-baseball-2-gets-release-/1100-6458339/ |url-status=live }} It released into Xbox One's Games with Gold for the month of May 2018.{{cite web |last1=Nelson |first1=Mike |date=April 3, 2018 |title=New Games with Gold for May 2018 |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2018/04/23/new-games-with-gold-may-2018/ |website=Xbox Wire |accessdate=August 9, 2018 |archive-date=July 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713232059/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2018/04/23/new-games-with-gold-may-2018/ |url-status=live }}
Super Mega Baseball 2: Ultimate Edition was then announced to be released on July 25, 2019 on Nintendo Switch. "Metalhead Software is bringing the critically acclaimed baseball game Super Mega Baseball 2 to the Nintendo Switch for the first time as Super Mega Baseball 2: Ultimate Edition, which includes the complete set of Super Mega Baseball 2 content (game, DLC), fully featured online play, and runs at 60 fps in both docked and handheld modes" - Operation Sports.{{Cite web|url=https://www.operationsports.com/super-mega-baseball-2-ultimate-edition-coming-to-nintendo-switch-on-july-25-new-bundle-also-coming-to-xbox-one-playstation-4-steam/|title=Super Mega Baseball 2: Ultimate Edition Coming to Nintendo Switch on July 25 - New Bundle Also Coming to Xbox One, PlayStation 4 & Steam|first=Steve|last=Noah|date=July 18, 2019|website=Operation Sports|access-date=July 18, 2019|archive-date=July 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718202710/https://www.operationsports.com/super-mega-baseball-2-ultimate-edition-coming-to-nintendo-switch-on-july-25-new-bundle-also-coming-to-xbox-one-playstation-4-steam/|url-status=live}}
Super Mega Baseball 2 earned an 81 Metacritic score for Xbox One based on 21 reviews.{{cite web |title=Super Mega Baseball 2 for Xbox One Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-mega-baseball-2/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |website=Metacritic |accessdate=August 9, 2018 |archive-date=May 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531180907/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/super-mega-baseball-2 |url-status=live }} Forbes gave it an 8.6/10 saying "While it's not a full-fledged AAA title, SMB 2 blurs the lines with its fantastic gameplay and mode depth."{{cite web |last1=Mazique |first1=Brian |date=May 10, 2018 |title='Super Mega Baseball 2' Review: The Good, The Bad, The Bottom Line |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/games/2018/05/10/super-mega-baseball-2-review-the-good-the-bad-the-bottom-line/#2490403f7723 |website=Forbes |accessdate=February 19, 2019 |archive-date=February 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220002936/https://www.forbes.com/sites/games/2018/05/10/super-mega-baseball-2-review-the-good-the-bad-the-bottom-line/#2490403f7723 |url-status=live }} Gaming Age gave it an A−, saying "There’s a good argument to be made that it’s the best baseball game of 2018."{{cite web |last1=Pollesel |first1=Matthew |date=May 9, 2018 |title=Super Mega Baseball 2 review for Xbox One, PS4 |url=http://www.gaming-age.com/2018/05/super-mega-baseball-2-review-for-xbox-one-ps4/ |website=Gaming-Age |accessdate=August 10, 2018 |archive-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810042352/http://www.gaming-age.com/2018/05/super-mega-baseball-2-review-for-xbox-one-ps4/ |url-status=live }}
=Features=
Super Mega Baseball 2 supports 1 - 4 players in local co-op or online multiplayer. Primary game modes include Exhibition, Season, Elimination, and Pennant Race. Pennant Race is the 1v1 online matchmaking mode, while the remaining modes can be played locally or online in arranged games.{{cite web |last1=Maciejewski |first1=A.J. |date=May 3, 2018 |title=Super Mega Baseball 2 Review |url=https://videochums.com/review/super-mega-baseball-2 |website=Video Chums |accessdate=August 9, 2018 |archive-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810042311/https://videochums.com/review/super-mega-baseball-2 |url-status=live }} Super Mega Baseball 2 also has three DLC packs containing additional customization content: Wild Team Customization Pack, Wicked Team Customization Pack, Bold Player Customization Pack.{{cite web |author=James |date=May 1, 2018 |title=Super Mega Baseball 2 swings onto Xbox One for free with GWG; Paid DLC pieces also available |url=http://www.thexboxhub.com/super-mega-baseball-2-swings-onto-xbox-one-for-free-paid-dlc/ |website=The Xbox Hub |access-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810072512/http://www.thexboxhub.com/super-mega-baseball-2-swings-onto-xbox-one-for-free-paid-dlc/ |url-status=live }} In season mode, it has deep, multi-season tracking of stats.
All console versions of the game can be matched with one another in the online multiplayer (Pennant Race) mode.
=Awards=
The game won the award for "Game, Franchise Sports" at the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards.{{cite web |date=March 13, 2019 |title=Winner List for 2018: God of War Breaks Record |url=http://navgtr.org/archives/3601/ |website=National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers |accessdate=March 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190314083147/http://navgtr.org/archives/3601/ |archive-date=March 14, 2019 |url-status=dead }}
{{clear}}
''Super Mega Baseball 3''
{{Infobox video game
| qid = Q113158202
| title = Super Mega Baseball 3
| image =
| developer = Metalhead Software
| publisher = Metalhead Software
| platforms = Microsoft Windows
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
Amazon Luna
| genre = Sports
| released = Windows, Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
May 13, 2020
Amazon Luna
January 11, 2021
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
=History=
Metalhead Software announced the launch of their latest game in the baseball series, Super Mega Baseball 3, on March 11, 2020. The game was set for release in April 2020, but Metalhead announced on April 23, 2020 that due to industry-wide delays from COVID-19, the release date was revised to May 13, 2020.{{Cite tweet|author=Super Mega Baseball|user=SupMegBaseball|number=1253315440253665281|date=April 23, 2020|title=We have a launch date! The dingerfest begins May 13, 2020: https://bit.ly/2KrkIqb #SuperMegaBaseball3|access-date=May 14, 2020}} New features include an all-new Franchise mode, and importation of custom teams from Super Mega Baseball 2.{{Cite news|url=https://gamerant.com/super-mega-baseball-3-new-features-delay-warning/|title=Super Mega Baseball 3 New Features and Delay Warning|last=Young|first=Rory|date=April 10, 2020|work=GameRant|access-date=May 14, 2020|archive-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620001326/https://gamerant.com/super-mega-baseball-3-new-features-delay-warning/|url-status=live}}
Super Mega Baseball 3 was released on May 13, 2020 on Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, and on January 11, 2021 for Amazon Luna.{{Cite news|url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2020/5/13/21257727/super-mega-baseball-3-review-switch-ps4-pc-xbox-one|title=Super Mega Baseball 3 is another unparalleled triumph|last=Sarkar|first=Samit|date=May 13, 2020|work=Polygon|access-date=May 14, 2020|archive-date=May 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520115401/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2020/5/13/21257727/super-mega-baseball-3-review-switch-ps4-pc-xbox-one|url-status=live}}{{Citation |title=New on Luna+: Super Mega Baseball 3 | date=11 January 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOnzU8zXyZc |language=en |access-date=2022-12-18}} It earned an 83 Metacritc score for Xbox One based on 12 critic reviews {{Cite web |title=Super Mega Baseball 3 |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-mega-baseball-3/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Metacritic |language=en}} with one critic saying “The SMB series has become one of the most consistent, and well-developed sports gaming franchises available.”{{Cite web |last=Mazique |first=Brian |title=Super Mega Baseball 3 Review: The Good, The Bad, And The Bottom Line |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/games/2020/05/13/super-mega-baseball-3-review-the-good-the-bad-and-the-bottom-line/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Forbes |language=en}} Super Mega Baseball 3 also earned an 87 score on Metacritic for Switch based on 8 critic reviews {{Cite web |title=Super Mega Baseball 3 |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-mega-baseball-3/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Metacritic |language=en}} with another critic saying “Super Mega Baseball 3 is our new all-time leader for the title of the greatest baseball video game I have ever played.”{{Cite web |title=Super Mega Baseball 3 Review - Review |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/53684/super-mega-baseball-3-switch-review |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Nintendo World Report}}
=Features=
Super Mega Baseball 3 features Exhibition, Pennant Race, Season and Elimination modes, as well as a brand-new Franchise mode.{{Cite web |title=Super Mega Baseball 3 Review · Yet another home run |url=https://videochums.com/review/super-mega-baseball-3 |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=videochums.com |date=12 May 2020 |language=en-CA}} The Franchise mode includes such features as signing free agents and Player Development.{{Cite news |last=Livingston |first=Christopher |date=2020-04-10 |title=Super Mega Baseball 3 shows off the depth of its new franchise mode |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/super-mega-baseball-3-shows-off-the-depth-of-its-new-franchise-mode/ |access-date=2023-04-14}} In a post-launch update, Metalhead also released a brand-new cross-platform online mode for Super Mega Baseball 3 called Online Leagues.R. Craddock, NintendoLife, 23 September 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/super_mega_baseball_3_is_getting_custom_cross-platform_online_leagues {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021082100/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/super_mega_baseball_3_is_getting_custom_cross-platform_online_leagues |date=2020-10-21 }}. [Accessed 5 November 2020]. The mode was released on September 29 and allows users to create and join custom leagues online with friends. Leagues can range from casual to competitive play and each league can have up to 32 players.
{{Clear}}
''Super Mega Baseball 4''
Super Mega Baseball 4 was announced on May 2, 2023 for release on June 2, 2023. Its pre-orders released on May 30, 2023.{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Sal |title=Super Mega Baseball 4 announced for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/05/super-mega-baseball-4-announced-for-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-xbox-one-switch-and-pc |website=Gematsu |access-date=9 May 2023 |date=2 May 2023}}
Super Mega Baseball 4 is the first entry in the series published by EA Sports and the first baseball game since MVP 07: NCAA Baseball.{{cite web |title=Super Mega Baseball 4 on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1487210/Super_Mega_Baseball_4/ |website=store.steampowered.com |access-date=10 July 2023 |language=en}}
Notes
{{notelist}}