Midway announces MLB SlugFest: Loaded

Midway has announced plans to deliver a third game in its MLB SlugFest series, titled MLB SlugFest: Loaded. The game, which will hit store shelves this June, will be available for both the PlayStation 2 and the Xbox. Both versions of the game will be playable online, however, the PlayStation 2 version of the game will support online play only over broadband. Chicago Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa will appear on the cover of both games.

The commentary team of Jimmy Shorts and Tim Kitzrow--who longtime Midway fans will remember as the classic voice of Midway's sports games from NBA Jam onward--will return for Loaded. Most of the gameplay from the previous games appears to be intact, though details on gameplay changes aren't available at this time. The game will feature a large upgrade this year in the form of a franchise mode. The mode is essentially an adaptation of Baseball Mogul, an exhaustively deep fantasy baseball simulator that lets you manage team finances, read scouting reports, and do all sorts of behind-the-scenes team management. It's unknown how much of Baseball Mogul will make it into Loaded's franchise mode, but this sounds like it could be an interesting development for people who enjoy the strategy side of management.

More information on MLB SlugFest: Loaded will be available soon. The PS2 and Xbox versions of the game are due to hit stores this June.