'Triple Play 2002' legs it out

Triple Play 2002
Rating: E for Everyone
For: Playstation 2, XBOX
By: EA Sports Baseball games have come a long way since the bubble-headed player days of "RBI Baseball." Players were round, the ball "pinged" when hit and "boinged" when it bounced, the stadiums all looked the same and Andre Dawson and Rick Sutcliffe were unstoppable for the Cubs. Now a hit is marked with a realistic crack of the bat, the stadiums are almost perfect renderings of the actual stadiums and Sammy Sosa and Lieber aren't too shabby for the boys of Wrigley. The original "Triple Play" games for the Playstation changed the way baseball video games were made with their then-superb graphics and highly controlled gameplay. "Triple Play 2002" is no different. The PS2 versions of "Triple Play" give the batter so much control when hitting the ball. Aiming is no longer a problem when realistic, look-alike electronic players step to the plate. But "Triple Play 2002" really doesn't improve much on the 2001 version of the game. Besides slightly more detailed stadiums, new announcers and barely improved facial features, "TP02" has nothing new to offer other than updated rosters and players. The best part of "TP02" is Bob Costas' play-by-play. It was great to hear a nice, recognizable voice like Costas'. But the worst part of the game is Costas' color-guy, Harold Reynolds. Reynolds is probably the most annoying color-guy in any EA sports game ever. During the seventh inning stretch when the two announcers sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" you'll squirm in pain waiting for the song to end. "Triple Play 2002" is probably the best baseball game on the market right now, but for those who own "Triple Play 2001," the new version doesn't improve enough to warrant an upgrade.