The once undisputed champion of baseball games returns with Triple Play Baseball for the Playstation 2. Can the magic that has been found in previous incarnations make its way onto the superior Playstation 2. Partly yes, but there are many things missing from what we are used to. The game does have a number of features that make the on field experience come to life with accurate player models, shapes and likenesses as well as intuitive shadows and lighting.

Graphics
Visually, Triple Play is the best looking baseball ever to grace a console. Think Madden in terms of player detail and lifelike movement animations. The player models are realistic and include more accurate player frames that have various shapes and sizes for the body and head. Over 150 star player likenesses have been included. All 30 MLB stadiums have been recreated in precise detail according to their blueprints, with real-time scoreboards and in-park animations. Real-time lighting in three distinct atmospheres: day, dusk an night games has been meticulously done well. This includes realistic lighting and reflections off of surfaces and player equipment much in the same manner as Madden 2001. All of this is rounded off by a nice and user-friendly front end. Where the visuals break down is the manner in which EA decided to present the pitcher/batter interface. This new interface uses a visible strike zone, pitching cursor and batting cursor. There are no options to move the camera out to a third person or field view and there is not toggle for each of the cursors. While the cursors are useful for those beginning, they soon become bothersome and make the game a full blown arcade experience. There is little skill in matching the batting cursor to the pitching cursor location. I always enjoyed the overall field view in previous versions of Triple Play. To say I was sorely disappointed would be an understatement.

Sound
This is a mixed bag. In terms of soundtrack and stadium effects, the sound is top notch. A number of major music artists including Chuck D, Vitamin C and Utah Saints lend their talents to a solid soundtrack. The play-by-play leaves a lot to be desired. Buck Martinez has always been a good choice for the series, however his partner, Sean McDonough, doesn't seem to fit so well. Nothing beats the talents of Martinez along with past talent Jim Hughston. They got along so well and the games had an incredible amount of script in them. This year's version seems to be lacking a lot of commentary and the more funny moments have been virtually removed. Play a few games and you will have heard almost everything there is to hear. Playing a full season with the commentary on can be quite painful.

Gameplay
Unfortunately the best looking PS2 baseball game is not the best playing baseball game. This all depends on your perspective and how you like your baseball games to play. Triple Play Baseball may try and sell itself as a well rounded game but what it comes down to is an arcade experience. This is not bad in itself if that is what you are looking for. This reviewer was looking for a little more simulation thrown into the mix. Having said that, if you want a baseball game that is easy to pick up and play, easy to control, easy to hit and simple to field, then this game is for you. Sure there are a number of options available like fielding position, but they do little to affect the onscreen action. The controls are quite simple. Pitching uses a very user friendly interface. Choose your pitch, location and then strength of the pitch. Batting is easy enough, position the cursor to the general location of the pitch and swing away for the fences. Fielding is also simplified thanks to assistance cursors and traditional throwing mechanisms. The game does boast pressure sensitivity in the throwing buttons, but we found it to be mostly irrelevant to gameplay.

Value
Triple Play Baseball offers players four modes to choose from: Single Game, Season, Playoffs and Big League Challenge. With Season mode, players can move off the field and into the position of general managers where you can put your managerial skills to the test. This includes trading players and signing free agents. There is also a create player mode which allows you to create custom players and take them to the big leagues. The Big League Challenge is a nice name for what really is a homerun derby competition. Sounds interesting but after a couple of rounds, it becomes repetitive and relatively boring.

Bottom Line: If you are looking for an arcade type of baseball experience then Triple Play Baseball is the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for more simulation in your ball game then take a pass and take a look at High Heat from 3DO.