3DO Sammy Sosa Softball Slam PC Game

Baseball games have inundated the marketplace with simulations that are a bit too complex for some folks who just want to play ball. Recreational activities come in the form of organized leagues, particularly during the summer season. Largely the target of these games has been directed at young males who follow this traditional pastime religiously. However, that is about to change...

Now there is a new type of game that's been missing for both the PC and PlayStation platforms that anyone can play: the simple, fast, high-scoring and popular game of softball, as opposed to the heavy statistics, set-up, details and complexities of baseball. A softball game where there's taunting and competition, but the goal is to have fun.

Sammy Sosa Softball Slam lets you recreate those corporate outings. And remember your high school's physical education (gym class) department's co-ed softball games? Sammy Sosa Softball Slam will bring back memories, and with the endorsement and caricature of the ~Chicago Cubs' highest-billed player, Sammy Sosa, the fun has just begun – at the local park and recreation stadiums. Hit it out during the day or night in several fields: ~Inner City, ~City Park, ~Super Complex, ~Sports Complex, ~Suburban and ~Rural.

The game also sports three difficulty settings (easy, medium and hard), including an automated Family Mode. Tweaked controls allow for arced pitches for better contact with the ball, as well as throwing the perfect pitch using the Pitch Meter. In addition to a single game (Exhibition Mode with the option to play as any of 24 teams) and Season Mode, an eight-team Tournament Play for one or two players is available for multi-player fun. Customize your own all-male, all-female or even co-ed teams to your liking.

Over-the-top, dynamic camera angles switch on the fly during base hits, as motion trails and other special effects sparkle about. The announcer, Larry "Monster Truck" Huffman, may remind you of a cheesy talk show host as he bombastically announces player names and the play-by-play. And with the push of a button, instant replays are at your disposal.

Utilizing a unique AI system along with motion-captured animation, you can watch as the stereotypical players do their own thing, such as scratching themselves or making errors for those who are a little too afraid of catching a high-speed outfield fly. Choose from potbelly couch potatoes to wafer-thin punk rocker girls, where the whole family can get in the game and pick their desired player, or one that might depict a similar reflection of their own selves

If none of the default characters are right for you, try creating your own customized player using the Player Editor. Each player can have different physiques and abilities such as hair and skin type, handicaps, uniform colors and logos. You can even change the names of the players as well as the teams (using Team Editor). ~ Cal Nguyen, All Game Guide