Baseball Mogul was one of the first GM-based simulations available. The game has grown more popular each year and now even offers an online web version.

For the “2004” version (I love how all games get the year out of whack), Baseball Mogul will be featuring a revamped interface with full screen display, multiple windows, and the ability to filter players by team or view them all at once. The game also will include 100 previous seasons allowing you to start your own league at any point in that timeline.

Baseball Mogul 2004 will be available online or in retail outlets for $19.95.

The High Heat Baseball series has been the reigning champion of graphic baseball sims for several years – since Sierra abdicated their crown with the Front Page Sports: Baseball line. However, after last year’s entry (REVIEW), 3DO was proving that lack of competition breeds a poor product. But it’s a new season and a new product year… so as we used to say of the Braves in the 70s: “This could be the year!”

High Heat Baseball 2004 (check the calendar, it’s 2003!) has again redone their graphics engine, created new animations and player motion-captures, and made changes to the stadium models. 3DO is seeking to provide a more lifelike experience in the game with new victory celebrations, player frustrations, and a broadcast quality presentation with new visuals.

High Heat 2004: Fair or Foul?

Cool. But graphics are only part of the equation and a small part of the grade. If the game doesn’t play baseball, then what good is it as a baseball sim?

HH2004 will include what they call “Complete Minor Leagues” system. They even trademarked the name. Since the previous releases have had a woefully incomplete minor league system – including star players demoted on day one – hopefully this trademark isn’t just an attempt to avoid a class-action lawsuit. Other features include multiple trading modes, financial system, improved player management, and rookie draft.

One of the saving graces for the High Heat series has been the tune file – a small configuration file that allows players to tweak the game’s performance. 3DO promises an unprecedented amount of control in the tune file for the 2004 version. Within days of release, the High Heat experts will have released versions of this file for arcade mode, manage-only mode, and even war-with-Iraq’s-leader mode. So long as 3DO leaves the customization door open, they stand a chance at reclaiming their crown.

High Heat Baseball 2004 will be available in stores for $39.95.

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