Update: March 26, 2004
Spring training is in full bloom and it's only a matter of time before we hear the roar of the crowd from Shea Stadium, which is in sight of our office building. It doesn't look like much now but there are signs of activity as the groundskeepers make their rounds and what was once deserted during the winter now buzzes with preparation and perhaps even anticipation. Another sign that baseball season is about to start is the proliferation of baseball games around this time of year. Konami's Pro Yakyu Spirits 2004 features a large amount of modes once one starts the game. There's Exhibition, Pennant, Rookie, VP Shop, Home Run Derby, Arrange, Utilities and Training. For newbies unfamiliar with the game of baseball, a detailed "How to Play" tutorial shows all the basics of the game and which buttons to push.
All twelve professional baseball clubs from the Japanese league and all 528 players are represented in grand fashion. The quality of the presentation and animation is a bit above today's other baseball game, Netsu Chu! 2004. The motion of the players, the execution of plays, and the subtleties of player animation are superb. When a shortstop and a second basemen are executing a double play, the realistic motion of the action is eye candy. To show off a bit more, the shadows of the players are modeled beautifully and move in tune with their owners as they run, slide, leap and jump. View the back cover and screenshots.
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