Pro Yakyu Spirits 3 features updated 2006 team and player data as well as the managers of each professional team. The likenesses of the players and managers to their real world counterparts is very good and it's clear that Konami's developers invested a good amount of resources into making the game look and feel like a television broadcast. Quick camera shots, flashy sequences, and commentator snippets all contribute to the realistic presentation and gloss of the game. Player modes include a standard 1-Player game, 2-Player versus, and a 2-Player versus COM exhibition. In addition to playing a game where all of the players are controlled directly, a management simulation mode is also available where gamers direct the players from the sidelines instead of taking a hands-on approach.

Jan Code: 4988602128062

View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCSX website.

» In the intro, the managers and players are shown performing their duties. The likenesses of actual players is fairly convincing and the motion of the players as they perform hot dog moves is realistic. From a distance, the motion and slow motion plays look like a live action broadcast. The slow-motion of great plays is also shown for dramatic effect.

» In the Proyakyu Spirits 3 Welcome Menu, the viewable game modes are:

1) Let's Play Baseball Right Now!
2) Let's Challenge Strike Board! (Pitching challenge)
3) Let's Challenge the Phase of 10!
4) Hit a Large Amount of Home Runs!

* There are 12 game modes in all.

» After selecting an exhibition game, five options are presented which allow the following players to engage:

1) 1P vs COM
2) 1P vs 2P
3) 1P & COM vs COM
4) 1P & 2P vs COM
5) COM vs COM

» All 12 professional Japanese teams are featured in the game as follows:

Central League
Hanshin Tigers
Chunichi Dragons
Yokohama Bay Stars
Tokyo Yakult Swallows
Yomiuri Giants
Hiroshima Toyo Carps

Pacific League
Chiba Lotte Marines
Fukuoka Soft Bank Hawks
Seibu Lions
Orix Buffaloes
Nippon-Ham Fighters
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

There's also an All Pacific League team and an All Central League team which contain players each the various teams in each respective league.

» In the Now Loading screen, bits of baseball trivia are offered up for anxious players to read up on the game.

» As the game starts, an announcer throws out the team names and the roar of the crowd can be heard in the background. Players take to the field and hurl a few practice tosses. As a pitcher walks to the mound, he casts three shadows from the overhead lighting. It's possible to throw three practice pitches to the catcher before the game starts. As the pitching practice is conducted, the crowd lowers its volume to a murmur but chanting and spotty cheers can still be heard from the band along with scattered voices in the crowd. If you're playing the Hanshin Tigers or any other team at their home stadium, the camera will show fans waving Tigers banners before the show starts. For added detail, the names of each player is printed on the back of his jersey along with his number.

» Pitching involves moving a the L-Analog pad to correspond to up to 6 possible pitches that a pitcher has in his arsenal. After pitch selection, choose the location by moving and holding the L-Analog for low, high, outside, or inside. As the pitch leaves the pitcher's arm, a little blue circle appears on the catcher which can be moved to change up the direction as the ball sails off.

» During a game, the commentators talk up a storm when there's action afoot. After a hit, the camera will home in on the manager to get his reaction. When a player hits a home run, the sound of it is enough to tell that it's gone. There's a solid sound thwack that resonates as the ball is launched into orbit and the crowd goes wild.

» When a ball is in play on the field, press the four face buttons to throw the ball to the four bases as follows:

Y-Button / First Base
B-Button / Second Base
X-Button / Third Base
A-Button / Home Base

» When batting, players manipulate a carrot-shaped outline with a faint blue bat surrounding it with the L-Analog and as the pitcher releases a pitch, a ball icon will appear in front of the batter. To get a hit, move and match the carrot with the ball icon to connect and get a blast. There's a pitch area that is safe which is designated with a 9-box grid before each pitch is thrown. Curves will move and the ball icon will move with the curve which makes it realistic and tricky as the batter has to track it continually as it sinks or trails away from the plate. .

» The likenesses of the players is good but they have this blank stare that's reminiscent of robots. We saw a player blink a few times which made him seem more human.

» A team can contain up to 70 players from player trades and original players from the farm system.

» Beginners who need a little practice may play at a beginner's level to get a feel for the game before heading for the major leagues...

» When a pitcher's pitch count crawls ever higher, his stamina and performance level gradually decreases. Pitches have less pop in them and hurl off in slightly sluggish fashion.

The alternative SKU # for this product is 7QE-00001.

This document is ©NCSX 2006. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part of this document may be made without express written consent of National Console Support, Inc.