Great game for everyone, from hardcore baseball enthusiasts to very casual gamers of any skill/age level.

User Rating: 8.5 | Jikkyou Powerful Major League 2 Wii WII
When I first read about this game coming to Wii and having known nothing about the Japenese series this is based off of, I immediately figured I'd be seeing a Wii Sports Baseball with MLB players and maybe a generic season mode. Boy was I wrong. It fits that description in a way, but it is so much deeper than that.

I don't really want to discuss the use of the so called "cartoon" graphics of the game too much because they are what they are. If the series has been successful for years before the release of a US MLB version, then it's not like these visuals haven't worked for anyone. Besides, I accept these graphics as perfectly acceptable considering that it was what the developer was obviously going for. But don't be fooled by the "cartoon" appearance... you WILL recognize a good number of players by facial expressions and visual details. Just one look at Manny Ramierez and you know exactly who it is, likewise for the old-school wind up and thin goatee of Paul Byrd. These graphics work and they really do provide a good visual representation of the players. Stadiums look very much like their real life counterparts too, so Indians fans will see the Home Run Porch at Jacobs Field and Cubs fans will see the apartment rooftop seats at Wrigley Field.

The sound is a bit on the weak side, however. The crowd sounds are pretty solid and the crack of the bat is well done too. But the announcer is one that will quickly grate on your nerves. It's not so much that he is repetitive (which he is... oh God is he repetitive), but it's moreso that the robot effect is in full force here. His voice fluctuates between euphoria and Ben Stien monotone within just a couple words and the name drops can be very odd sounding. Thankfully, he can be turned down, or if you wish, off completely.

As for the gameplay, it really has enough to reach out to everyone. For those who just want to pick up and play, there is the Wiimote Exhibition and HR Derby. In this mode, you just swing the bat to hit, shake the controller up and down (like you are running) to speed your players up and make a pitching motion to throw the ball on the mound. It is as simple as can be and while it may not be the most fun for those hardcore baseball simmers, it is a great way to get those of less skill (parents, kids, significant others, etc.) to play a fun game of baseball. For those looking for more depth, you have the season and career modes. In season, you are a fresh from college GM hired to a 10 year contract with orders to turn your team into a winner. You can do everything here that you can do in other baseball games: negotiate trades, pick up free agents, make roster moves and check your income/expenditures. You can also get your players to improve their skills through practice mode, which lets you focus on certain players and attempt to raise their ratings in certain ability areas. Career mode is just as deep, but the focus is on you as a college player trying to make the big time. You have to balance everything in your life (practice, social life, academics) in your quest to become the next superstar of the Major Leagues. There are lots of settings to tinker with to make this game as easy or as challenging as you like, so everyone should find a level of difficulty just about right for them.

When I say this game is deep.... I mean it is deep. You can edit just about anything for any player. Appearances, abilities, special abilities, stats, ratings... you name it, you can change it. Think Prince Fielder has more power than what he is given by defaut? Jack that power rating up to an A and rip long balls all season long. Think that Matt Holiday decides how the Rockies play overall? Give him the "sparkplug" special ability and he will affect how the rest of the team plays based on his performance. You can also create a dream team of MLB stars or create a team of your own Mii's and see if they can stack up against the league's best (no feeling like watching my Mii take CC Sabathia yard!).

Some players may be turned off by what they think is a "kiddie" game. Don't let the looks fool you. This is a deep and very engrossing baseball sim with an arcade look to it. I hold off from giving it a higher rating because some folks may be disappointed by the Wiimote control-style being restricted to the exhibition and HR derby modes and by the fact that no online capability means that rosters (which are already out of date) will quickly become obsolete.

But despite these slight shortfalls, MLB Power Pros really is a great baseball game that will appeal and be accessible to everyone from a technologically impaired non-gamer up to the most stat-driven baseball purist. This is truly a case of "don't judge a book by its cover".