Super Mega Baseball 4: Everything We Know

Electronic Arts has made light of an all-new chapter in its star-studded sports saga Super Mega Baseball. And if what developer Metalhead Software is saying is true, then the next instalment will feature “the series’ most Mega presentation upgrade yet.” So, clearly there's a lot to look forward to for when it finally graces the home plate later this year.

“Our team is really stoked to launch the newest chapter in the Super Mega Baseball series with the power of EA SPORTS behind us for the first time,” said Scott Drader, Studio Director and Senior Producer at Metalhead Software. “Whether you’re a longtime SMB player or a new fan looking to play and connect with friends around the love for the sport, Super Mega Baseball 4 has something for everyone.”

So, what more do you need to know about the next leg in the baseball anthology? Or a better question would be, how will it differ from the third chapter that only launched back in 2020? Well, here's everything we're able to tell you based on the information both Metalhead Software and Electronic Arts have provided to date. Super Mega Baseball 4: just what is it, exactly, and when can you expect to get your mitt on it?

What Is Super Mega Baseball 4?

To put it short, Super Mega Baseball 4 is a “larger-than-life” baseball game. Since being acquired by Electronic Arts, a publisher that's celebrated for bringing frequent sports games to the industry, Metalhead Software has pitched up a fourth entry to the well-loved series. And if what the Canadian firm is saying is true, then the latest iteration will deliver an additional 200 baseball legends in its biggest and most extravagant chapter to date.

In Electronic Arts' own words, Super Mega Baseball 4 “delivers the biggest and best parts of baseball with the series’ signature humorous style and immersive gameplay.” So, expect plenty more bang for your buck this coming June.

Story

There won't be a story, as such, but more a series of foundational modes that you will have the opportunity to entwine with. And not just a standard Exhibition, but community favorites including Franchise, Pennant Race, Season and Online Leagues, all of which will enable cross-play over all platforms.

Going by the first info dump EA supplied earlier this month, Super Mega Baseball 4 will feature 200 legends to choose from, all hailing from various corners of the baseball league and the series' All-Stars divisions. Examples here include none other than Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and David Ortiz, who snagged the spot on the cover of the box art.

“It’s an incredible honour to be the first cover athlete for Super Mega Baseball and to be recognised as a baseball legend in the game alongside hundreds of other icons in our sport for the first time in the series,” the Hall of Famer commented. “Super Mega Baseball 4 is going to be an amazing and fun experience for fans that truly captures the humour and personality of baseball.”

Gameplay

With Electronic Arts pitching in to the latest instalment in the series, you can go ahead and expect a slew of new amplified features, including “authentic, cinematic baseball, powered by new cameras, cutscene animations, and lighting.” And while that's all well and good, the game itself will still retain that signature arcade-style action. In other words, it won't be a MLB The Show copycat.

There is something new here, however, which is Shuffle Draft, “a new feature that allows you to draft both Legends and Super Mega All-Stars to create a unique roster.” You will therefore have the chance to develop your own textbook team and bring them to an enormous array of modes.

“From the brand-new Shuffle Draft deckbuilding-inspired feature, to expanded player traits and a new team chemistry system that add a new layer of strategy; dozens of fan requested upgrades – automatic walks and runners, two-way players, expanded bullpens, customizable free agent pools, and more – combine to add new gameplay depth,” reads Electronic Arts' elevator pitch.

Development

Metalhead Software, a studio that found its start through the critically acclaimed Super Mega Baseball debut back in 2014, was acquired by Electronic Arts in May of 2021. It was only natural, following the global success of the baseball series, that the newfound father of sports games would be wanting to pitch up a fourth chapter in the saga. And as it turned out, that's exactly what happened, with the game officially coming to light on April 2, 2023.

As it currently stands, Super Mega Baseball 4 will be available to purchase as a digital edition from June 2, 2023. It will also be available as a Ballpark Edition, which will grant consumers three additional days of game time ahead of its official launch. You can go ahead and grab that today via your chosen platform's official store.

Trailer

As luck would have it, both Metalhead Software and Electronic Arts did in fact release a trailer for the upcoming instalment earlier this month. You can see it for yourself in the video embedded above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Super Mega Baseball 4 will be coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, and PC via Steam on June 2, 2023. It hasn't been said yet whether or not it'll launch on Game Pass or PlayStation Plus. That said, the series itself has found a place on EA Play in the past, which is of course an extension of Game Pass Ultimate. So, never say never.

You'll be able to get your hands on two editions: the standard copy, which will retail at $49.99, and the Ballpark Edition, which will include three-day early access to the game, as well as an additional stadium on launch, Peril Point. It will also offer two additional stadiums as post-launch content; Ciudad de Colores on July 31, and Castillo Arena on August 31. You can add it to your wishlist or shoot straight for a pre-order today on any of the platforms' respective marketplaces.

For more information on Metalhead Software's latest baseball venture, you can check in with the official social feed here. If anything changes ahead of its June launch, then we'll be sure to fill you in on all the key details right here on gaming.net.

So, what's your take? Will you be picking up a copy of Super Mega Baseball 4 when it drops on June 2nd? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.