"It is what it is." This annoying phrase has been gaining much use and popularity lately, primarily due to overly dramatic reality TV shows or the Jimmy Fallon spoofs of said shows. The point is, “it is what it is” is annoying to hear and usually means absolutely nothing. But in the case of Baseball Blast for the Wii, it’s the perfect way to describe the game. Baseball Blast! is another Wii minigame collection that targets younger gamers. It is good at what it does, but all that means is that it is a rather run-of-the-mill mini-game collection on the Wii. It is what it is; nothing more and nothing less.

Basically, Baseball Blast! is a collection of 20 baseball themed minigames that use the Wii’s motion controls in various ways. Keep in mind that I said baseball THEMED minigames; there is never any actual baseball played in this game. Baseball Blast! in not a baseball game. Most minigames amount to a few simple movements and button presses to complete short challenges. There’s the obligatory lightgun type game, races, and a few things that use the Wiimote swinging mechanic from Wii Sports baseball to hit pitched balls to hit targets. There are also a few that mimic the pitching from the Wii Sports baseball game as well but you never go head to head with a real pitcher. Aside form that, there is really no baseball in Baseball Blast! It is what it is and what it is is a minigame collection, not a baseball game.

More after the jump

The games play well enough and some have truly inventive uses for the Wiimote’s controls, like in “Galaxy Ball,” where after hitting a ball into space using the Wiimote as a bat, you steer it using the Wiimote as if it were a joystick. Most of the games are somewhat fun and the motion controls are reasonably responsive. A plus is that Wii Motion Plus is compatible with this game so you can pop those in for added accuracy. The games are mild fun but usually a short diversion at best if you are playing the game by yourself. With friends or family, however, the minigames become infinitely more fun. Games that are frustrating against AI opponents become hilarious and outrageous competitions when played against other humans. If you have a baseball loving grandmother or 7-year old sibling, this is the type of game you play with them and have a lot of semi-competitive fun. Like most games like this, it is at its best in multiplayer parties.

The presentation in Baseball Blast! is not impressive. The graphics, not surprisingly, are reminicent of the N64 era with bland textures and cartooney character models that seem to be one template with different colors and a few facial differences to differentiate between players. This is expected considering this is a Wii minigame collection game. It is what it is. There is a MLB license but it is only used for the team names, their stadiums, the trivia game, and two MLB players for each team: one pitcher and one hitter. These players just barely look like cartooney caricatures of themselves if all MLB players had huge thick steroided necks.

The aural presentation misuses real baseball names as well by enlisting Bob Uecker and Rob Dibble for commentary. Keep in mind that there is no actual baseball going on in this game so what you hear Uecker say is mostly explanations of the games and “(your team) wins!” Dibble sounds like he is talking to his dog or a baby with his random “color” insights that sound anything but genuine. It’s cool to have these MLB personalities do voice work for the game but it’s too bad they never get to do any real play-by-play.

Overall, Baseball Blast! is one of many Wii party games. It’s MLB theme and liscence is all that makes it stand out from the rest. It is still, at its core, a collection of minigames that are best enjoyed with a group of people. If you have a family that likes baseball you could have a real nice time with this game, but if you are alone or a hardcore baseball gamer, or if you were expecting actual baseball in Baseball Blast!, the game will disappoint you. It is what it is.

PROS: MLB License, Motion Plus compatible, good variety of minigames, good for families and groups of people

CONS: Ugly graphics, a little too cartooney, no actual baseball, quite boring if played alone

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