When I was a kid, baseball was my favorite sport, but the strikes and steroid scandals have really turned me off to MLB. That said, I still enjoy the game and long for the days when guys played for the love of the game and the big paychecks. Since the Wii seems designed specifically for sports games, I was excited to try out The Bigs to see how well it worked with the unique Wii controls, but since unique controls aren't everything, we took a look at the PS2 version so we could see which offers a better gameplay experience.

Overall, both games are nearly identical. Through a few different modes, you take the role of a Major League Baseball team of your choice, or you can represent American or National League in an All-Star Game. You play both offense and defense, batting, running, pitching, and fielding.

Control

The main difference between the two versions, not surprisingly, is the control. The PS2 version uses fairly traditional controls, and fairly straightforward at that. They're simple enough to pick up with a little practice, even for young tweens, but too complicated for much younger. Older kids and adults will be able to master the controls even further and get much more out of the game.

The Wii controls add the unique element of realism that only a Wiimote can give, swinging to bat, shaking to run, and swinging to pitch and throw. And while it creates a more immersive experience, it makes the game more difficult. Overall, the Wii controls work very well, and the tutorial mode helps get the hang of the necessary technique.

I've learned that Guitar Hero is easier to play with a standard controller than the guitar controller, but it's just not the same experience. The same is true here. The PS2 version is fairly easy to master if you can get the timing down, but the with the Wiimote and nunchuck (You'll need both.), you can almost feel the crack of the bat, and if you're not careful, throw your arm out and need a real relief pitcher.

Game Modes

The game features several modes. The "Play Now" default mode looks like a good place to start, but if you're new to this kind of game, you'll likely get lost quickly, but once you've familiarized yourself with the controls, this is a quick way to get into a game when you're short on time.

Exhibition Mode, like Play Now, gives players a quick entry into a game, but with just a few extra steps, like a difficulty option and a few other customization options, making the Play Now mode a bit redundant.

Rookie Challenge is this game's story or career mode. You create a character and get a handful of customization options--not as much as most other "create a character" modes in other games. (You can choose physical characteristics, but blonde hair is not an option.) You then begin with training modes and get points to spend to improve your skills: batting, throwing, and running. Once you get through training modes, you get to play a season, gain more points, and add personality to your rookie. Additional events and situations also become available, as well as a "player stealing" event allowing you to steal a player from another team, and eventually play in an All-Star Game. If you're mainly playing single player mode, this is the mode you'll spend most of your time in.

Home Run Derby is for those who enjoy batting, as you race to get 10 Home Run hits before your opponent, either computer or human. This is another quick mode for variety or when you don't have much time.

Rosters shows you team and player statistics, but more importantly, here's where you design players for your teams. In addition to the actual players, you can create your own, trade them, and design your own fantasy team.

Graphically, these two versions look typical for that generation of sports games. Fans will recognize their favorite players, both in face and stance. All of the stadiums are present as well, although having grown up watching Brewers games at Milwaukee County Stadium, I'd love to see unlockable classic stadiums, but that's a wish, not a criticism. Sound is pretty standard, complete with crowd noise, bat cracks, and balls hitting gloves. The game also features a decent collection of hard rock music you'll notice mainly in menus.

The Bigs allows for multiplayer of at least 2 players in Rookie and Home Run Derby modes and 4 in the rest. Players can play cooperatively or competitively, making this one of the few licensed sports games that work well for families. Online play is also available for when the rest of the family isn't around, and updated player statistics are also available occasionally to reflect changes during the season.

If you're looking for a baseball game for families with kids aged around 9 or older, this game will work well for you. Kids might enjoy the Wii swinging, but the PS2 version will come easier. Practice with either one will help immensely. If you need a "protein shake"-free baseball fix, The Bigs will promise many hours of enjoyment.