Super Mega Baseball 3

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,551 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • humor
Super Mega Baseball 3 Game Cover
The excellent franchise mode adds loads of depth and decision making, and on-field play is livelier than ever.
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"Super Mega Baseball 3" is the latest edition of the popular franchise, offering an enhanced on-field simulation, expanded offline and online modes including Franchise and Online Leagues, and new content like revamped UI, audio, characters, and stadiums. The game features improved graphics and fluid gameplay that caters to players of all skill levels, as well as advanced baseball mechanics and immersive ballpark environments.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,551 reviews
gameplay88 positive mentions
optimization7 negative mentions
  • Incredibly fun gameplay that balances arcade and simulation elements.
  • Extensive customization options for teams, players, and leagues, allowing for a personalized experience.
  • The Ego difficulty system allows players to fine-tune their challenge level, making it accessible for all skill levels.
  • AI can feel inconsistent, often leading to unrealistic outcomes in games, especially at higher difficulty levels.
  • Franchise mode lacks depth, with no trading system and limited player contracts, making long-term management less engaging.
  • Fielding mechanics can be frustrating, with players sometimes failing to make plays they should easily handle.
  • gameplay251 mentions

    The gameplay in Super Mega Baseball 3 is widely praised for its blend of arcade fun and realistic mechanics, making it accessible yet challenging for players of all skill levels. While some users noted issues with AI behavior and catch-up mechanics, the overall experience is characterized by intuitive controls, satisfying hitting and pitching mechanics, and a robust franchise mode that enhances replayability. The game's cartoonish aesthetic belies its depth, offering a rewarding gameplay loop that keeps players engaged.

    • “Every aspect of the gameplay is well crafted, easy to learn, hard to master, intuitive, and incredibly juicy.”
    • “The gameplay is arcade-inspired, but also somehow the most realistic baseball gameplay I've ever experienced.”
    • “The gameplay is so much fun; it covers any other shortcomings.”
    • “I feel there is a weird comeback mechanic going on because of how the pitching AI decides which player to pitch around, so worse players get easy pitches and end up outperforming the best players, but it's alright the best players seem to perform in clutch plays apparently.”
    • “The gameplay has also seemed to suffer from version changes with poor-feeling fielding and un-fun changes to relief pitchers' morale.”
    • “This game is a disgrace of a baseball game; the gameplay mechanics are clunky and the hitting mechanics are terrible, the devs' parents should ground them for this abhorrent excuse of a game.”
  • graphics115 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their cartoonish and stylized aesthetic, which adds a fun and engaging element to the gameplay, despite some players finding them off-putting. Many reviews highlight the improvement in visuals compared to previous installments, noting that the graphics effectively convey character and humor while supporting a deep and strategic baseball simulation. Overall, while the art style may not appeal to everyone, it complements the enjoyable gameplay and enhances the overall experience.

    • “The graphics are very well done and the gameplay is seamless.”
    • “Despite its cartoonish graphics, in terms of simulating the feel of actually playing baseball, this is the most realistic thing out there.”
    • “The graphics upgrade is awesome, great looking textures.”
    • “Personally, I find the art style repulsive and a real drag on the game, though.”
    • “The graphics are worse, they trashed the adjustable ego system, and it feels very clunky.”
    • “I was initially put off by the lack of licensed teams and the cartoonish art style.”
  • humor39 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its creativity, particularly through funny player names and amusing animations, which add a lighthearted flair to the gameplay. Players enjoy the quirky character designs and the entertaining commentary, although some feel that the humor can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with engaging mechanics, making it a fun experience for players.

    • “Creating a team with a bunch of funny names and playing a league with friends is satisfying.”
    • “The customization is awesome, the made-up sponsors are funny, the umpire voicing... there are so many little things to enjoy about this game and this series.”
    • “There's a huge amount of silly humor throughout the game and Metalhead doesn't take themselves too seriously with regards to it.”
  • optimization20 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has seen notable improvements compared to its predecessor, SMB2, with many users reporting smoother performance after initial patches. However, issues such as stuttering and frame drops persist for some players, particularly during crossplay, leading to mixed feelings about the game's overall performance. While some have found fixes for their specific issues, others continue to experience microstuttering and inconsistent performance across different stadiums.

    • “A big step up from SMB2, and there are a lot of improvements in optimization and gameplay.”
    • “The game now runs smoothly with very few, if any, issues.”
    • “The initial launch had some performance issues, but they seem to have fixed any complaints I had.”
    • “This is a great franchise, and while there are many improvements in this iteration, visually and otherwise, the game continues to suffer from performance issues, despite patches.”
    • “It's poorly optimized, you have been warned.”
    • “It could stand some optimization; some of the stadiums are significantly more choppy than others, and I do see some stutter/dropped frames.”
  • music12 mentions

    Overall, the music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players praise the original soundtrack and sound effects as enjoyable and immersive, others find the soundtrack lacking and suggest that it could benefit from more variety and customization options. The sound effects, particularly those related to gameplay, are generally well-received, enhancing the overall experience. However, there are calls for additional music tracks to complement the engaging gameplay.

    • “The customization is awesome, the animations are nice and cartoonish, and the sounds/music rock!”
    • “Throw in a fun little original soundtrack and some funny, albeit limited writing, and SMB3 will please the senses.”
    • “The intro music, the walkup songs, the crowd, umpire, bat sounds from hitting to breaking just sound fantastic.”
    • “The soundtrack, in my opinion, is kind of lackluster in comparison to the sound effects that are for sure on point.”
    • “Was disappointed to find over 200 plate songs but like... no changes to player customization.”
    • “[could use additional variations and modes, AI opponents are all over the map, audio feels a bit hollow without regular music]”
  • replayability9 mentions

    The game boasts near infinite replayability, primarily due to its enhanced franchise mode, which introduces strategic team-building and a wealth of achievements. Players appreciate the granular difficulty settings and the option for online competitive play, although some desire additional features like trading and career modes to further enrich the experience. Overall, it is regarded as a highly enjoyable baseball game with substantial single-player and multiplayer replay value.

    • “The franchise mode makes the game endlessly replayable and adds a bit of strategy to the way you build your team year after year, and the achievements are always fun to accomplish.”
    • “Amazing baseball game for PC with fun mechanics, a wide and granular difficulty range, and extremely high single-player replayability in franchise mode.”
    • “Customization is great, the new franchise mode gives season play an endless amount of replayability, and the online competitive mode is perfect if playing against AI doesn't do it for you.”
    • “It's a fun game, but franchise mode needs more features for replayability, like trading, a calendar, press conferences, and a career mode.”
    • “The franchise mode is a massive improvement, but it still lacks elements that would enhance replayability compared to the first two games.”
    • “While customization is great, the new franchise mode feels limited and doesn't offer enough replayability for long-term engagement.”
  • story9 mentions

    The game's story aspect is mixed; while the franchise mode adds a sense of realism and individual player narratives, many users feel that there is a lack of overarching story arcs and depth, leading to a desire for more character development and customization options.

    • “Franchise mode is a blast, and it really makes the game feel more realistic and, dare I say, story-driven as all of the players have their own lives separate from what you control.”
    • “That is the story of development, throughout the entire franchise.”
    • “There aren't story arcs over the season.”
    • “Short story.”
    • “Would like more players, more customization, story line of players, etc.”
  • stability9 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it runs well on platforms like Steam Deck and laptops, users report several bugs, including framerate dips and game freezes during substitutions. Despite these issues, many find the game enjoyable and worth purchasing, though some glitches need addressing for a smoother experience.

    • “Also, runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “If you want a baseball game that's fun, wacky, bug-free, and works directly after installation, this is the game for you.”
    • “Runs great on my laptop.”
    • “Seem buggy too.”
    • “Few launch glitches that need to be addressed, for starters framerate dips (even after 3 updates) happen after a completed game (should not happen at 1080p on an RTX 2080 Ti with a Ryzen 9 3900X), and the baserunning AI needs to improve.”
    • “Unable to get through a whole game - for the second time, while mid-game, while going into the substitution screen and coming back it freezes the game.”
  • monetization7 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is generally positive, as it is free from intrusive microtransactions and loot boxes, distinguishing it from other titles in the genre. However, players should be cautious of misleading advertising, as the game features humorous in-game ads and commentary that may not align with initial expectations. Overall, it offers a fun experience without the typical monetization pitfalls.

    • “It's a sports game that isn't riddled with intrusive microtransactions and it's really fun!”
    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't hinder gameplay, allowing players to enjoy the game without constant pressure to spend money.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of free content and rewards, making it accessible for everyone.”
    • “Just be aware of the deceptive advertising if you want to play online.”
    • “It's advertised as more than that; those advertisements are wrong.”
    • “If you don't touch the controls for a time, the announcer will begin to comment on your lack of engagement or start doing advertisements.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is characterized by a vibrant and fun environment that enhances the overall experience, blending elements from previous titles to create a lively, cartoonish setting. Users appreciate the dynamic stadium lighting and the immersive feel of a true baseball game, likening it to a more animated version of popular battle royale games.

    • “The quick-paced games and fun atmosphere make for a time-fly-by experience!”
    • “Takes all the positives of SMB2 and adds it to SMB3 for a whole new atmosphere.”
    • “Very cartoony, but the atmosphere it creates more than makes up for it.”
    • “The stadium lighting and atmosphere are impressive.”
    • “All aspects of a true baseball game are there with an animated atmosphere (think Fortnite to PUBG, with the show being PUBG).”
  • emotional3 mentions

    Players express a surprising emotional investment in the game, highlighting its heartfelt and dramatic elements, particularly in relation to their fictional baseball franchises. Despite some negative sentiments about the game's quality, the emotional engagement remains a notable aspect for many users.

    • “Of course, just as juicy, goofy, and heartfelt as this game, and as overly dramatic as this review!”
    • “I did not expect to be so emotionally invested in my fictional baseball franchise.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly during pitching sequences where batters consistently foul off multiple pitches, leading to prolonged and repetitive gameplay, especially when the score is heavily in their favor.

    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
    • “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel well-earned.”
    • “I love how the grinding mechanics encourage exploration and experimentation with different strategies.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Pitching gets pretty tedious when you're up 10 runs and every batter is fouling off 7 pitches.”
  • character development1 mentions

    While the character designs may appear whimsical, they do not detract from the game's strong character development, which adds depth and engagement to the overall baseball experience.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy Super Mega Baseball 3

Play time

24hMedian play time
117hAverage play time
9-105hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 11 analyzed playthroughs

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