Triple Play 2000

Triple Play 99 had a frame rate problem. It was no secret. The game was good enough that most people dealt with it, but it was always there, dragging on the movement, taking the edge off what should have been the best baseball on PlayStation. Triple Play 2000 fixes it. Completely. Whether players are sprinting for a fly ball or jogging back to base, the movement is smooth and natural in a way the previous game never quite managed.

The gameplay improvements go beyond frame rate. Pitching looks very good and the ball comes out of the pitcher’s hand naturally. The batter’s swing is smooth, and when contact is made it looks real. Batting is usually the hardest thing to get right in a baseball game and they did it very well here. Throwing is generally smooth too, though when a player throws as hard as they possibly can the arm animation looks a little unnatural. Small complaint. Everything else in motion is solid. Real players, real stats, real teams, all present as expected from the Triple Play series.

Control has been improved across the board. Running is probably the biggest gain. You now have actual control over your fielder’s speed when going after a ground ball or a pop-up, which adds a layer of realism that was missing before. Batting gives you the option to intentionally go for a pop-up or a grounder, which opens up situational play. Throwing is variable too. Need a fast long throw? You can make one, but it will be inaccurate. Want precision? Throw slower and shorter. Pitching is standard, choosing your pitch and speed, but it’s clean and easy. The whole control scheme is easy to learn and does exactly what you need it to do.

Graphically this game is very good. Detail goes right down to the manufacturer on the bat. Player faces are about as good as I have seen on PSX. The stadiums look real and the crowd fills them out properly. There was one oddity I ran into where a fielder caught the ball and seemed to lose his legs for a moment but kept right on running. It happened once in my entire time with the game, and that was it.

Sound is presented in Dolby Surround Sound and it puts you right in the game. The crack of the bat, the umpire calls, the whoosh of a pitch past the plate. Commentary is very good and sounds authentic. Sound in this game is a genuine strength and makes the whole experience feel bigger than it might otherwise.

Triple Play 2000 is a very enjoyable game for anyone who loves baseball, and honestly even if you don’t, it is at least worth a rent.