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There's nothing like a stroll in the park, is there? These fine establishments, lovingly tended by their keepers, are the pride of any town and we'd all be a lot worse off without them. Right? Well, this is the general idea. In fact, the humble park has undergone many changes since its basic beginnings as a place where cavemen could throw rocks at each other without being disturbed. Nowadays we have the likes of 'safari parks' - where monkeys can throw rocks at our cars - and 'amusement parks' - where we can throw things at fake monkeys. And then there are 'ball parks'.

Now, although there are many things worth doing in a park, it isn't the kind of place worth watching. Basically because it's just grass. However ball parks are different. So different that they warrant the presence of thousands of spectators every weekend and are surrounded by huge stadiums. The reason for this is baseball. The Americans invented it, the Japanese adore it and we, let's face it, are crap at it. No matter, because Tengen have prepared for us what they hope is an accurate baseball simulation. So accurate that it is endorsed by the MLBPA (The Major League Baseball Players Association). The game offers the choice from 28 Big League rosters which means there are around 700 Major League players available. If you like there's even the chance of inventing your own team! You may also choose where the games commence. RBI '93 offers more than just the basics of a good baseball game, the question is just how well does it play?

RBI Baseball '93 is a sequel to Tengen's RBI Baseball. Strange though it may seem, both games are simulations of baseball.

Select a team, or create your own, then challenge another to a game of Baseball. Your opponent can either be human- or computer-controlled.

One of the features unique to RBI '93 is the "stadium tour", which takes advantage of the unique nature of baseball fans - their pride in the teams' home ball-parks. Football, England's closest equivalent to baseball's mass popularity abroad, is dogged by a selection of shambolic grounds that are best left unmentioned. Ball-parks are the pride and joy of their baseball teams and so this Stadium Tour facility allows the player a scrolling, bird's-eye view of all the 28 parks in the league.

It's almost standard practice now for companies to include a 'custom team' facility in their baseball games. Whilst RBI '93 is no exception, it does offer a little more by giving the player the pick of all the division-winning players since 1984!

In real life, of course, the result of including some old has-been onto your team would be disastrous, but then who's complaining?! Coupled with the choice of all the players from all of the twenty-eight league teams there's enough scope for an absolutely awesome team!

Perhaps it's just me, but isn't this whole videogame baseball idea a bit boring? It just seems to me that baseball is too passive to make an exciting console game. No matter how many of the game's relevant sound effects and musical themes are included, they never excite.

A decent console baseball cart doesn't offer the immediate gameplay of a similar standard tennis or even golf equivalent. They're also far removed from the complexity of a classy American Football game. This explains the relative lack of interest in such titles in this country. When was the last time you saw a baseball game in the charts, eh?

In all fairness, RBI Baseball '93 is another close representation of the sport. Custom building teams adds at least another couple of months to the game's life-span for solo players and two players have many a singing time ahead.

I prefer RBI's graphics over Hardball III's beccause they're much sharper and RBI is also much more accessible due to its lack of unnecessary options plaguing most other baseball sims: I live in fear of a CD baseball game! It's dull but one of the best from an uninspiring bunch.

I agree entirely with Paul that baseball is the wrong type of sport for a videogame. Anyone who has sat on the bleachers, chomped popcorn and witnessed the long drawn out spectacle of teams constantly switching sides, realises how inactive the game is.

This means that, however competent and inspired RBI is, it's never going to be that much fun to play. With each play, the object of control changes so much (pitcher-outfielder-infielder) that you never feel in full control of any of them.

In fairness, I must praise RBI's decent graphics and screen presentation, and it does seem easier to make proper strikes and catches than in Hardball III. I'm afraid though, that the package has a very narrow range of appeal.

Presentation 89%
P. A variety of useful options. The game is also presented with a touch of humour which helps a great deal.

Graphics 89%
P. RBI '93's sprites are well defined against the tidy, ball park back-drops.
N. It's all a bit samey looking but then, so's the real game.

Sound 86%
P. Tengen do an excellent job of recreating realistic, ball-park sounds. Right down to the cheesy tunes in the background.

Playability 82%
P. The control method is very simple and not as daunting as those found in other similar titles on the market. An enjoyable pastime for two players.

Lastability 81%
P. The 28 teams offer much for one player. The custom team facility prolongs the cart's life too. Having a two-player option also extends the game's lasting appeal.

Overall 83%
Another high quality baseball title, this time from Tengen, more suited to the less fussy baseball fanatic.