Last year, popular Nickelodeon cartoon characters made history by challenging real life MLB players to a game of baseball. And the result was a fun and simple sports game for kids. Now your little sluggers can enjoy all the action on the go and in 3D with Nicktoons MLB 3D for 3DS.

There are several ways to play ball in this version. Try out a quick game with pre-selected characters, or create your own roster for a single match. You can also play an entire season with your team or go for a bracketed tournament. Or have a Showdown between Nicktoons and MLB teams.

There are also a few baseball themed mini-games to noodle around with. There’s a Home Run Distance Derby, and a game where you aim your batting hits to knock out rolling boulders. Finally, there is a mini-game that uses the AR card function of the 3DS, as you try and knock down cups of ice cream on a cart by moving your 3DS around and properly aiming your pitches. Be forewarned, though, that the AR card printed directly on the instruction booklet may not work for you. I thought that was a good idea so you wouldn’t lose the card, but I couldn’t get it to recognize the printing. Luckily, the AR card that comes with the 3DS did the job just fine.

Of course, the real stars of the game are the Nicktoons characters and real life MLB sluggers you can play as. I even wrote a blog about all the cartoon stars found in the game, so if you want more info, click here. The 3DS version adds a couple of new characters to play as, such as Jimmy Neutron as well as a monkey and stadium from Monkey Quest, Nickelodeon’s heavily advertised online PC game. Other stadiums include cartoony locales like Spongebob’s underwater field or Invader ZIM’s outer space diamond. You can also play on real life stadiums like The Ballpark in Arlington. Go Rangers! (Hey I’m from Texas, I have to say that).

View all the action on the top 3D screen, and the bottom screen houses useful info such as player placement on the diamond and score. And it’s nice to see the announcers on the bottom, too. Just as before, Spongebob’s Perch Perkins and GIR from Invader ZIM are the commentators, and fortunately they’re not as annoying this time around. As you play, you can unlock trading cards of your favorite cartoon stars. And you can challenge another nearby player who owns a 3DS and a copy of the game with local wireless, too. All in all, Nicktoons MLB 3D is a great sports games for young kids and the young at heart, and you don’t even need the 3D to enjoy it.

Kid Factor:

Play control is super simple to learn, you just have to push the face buttons. Multiple difficulty selections mean players of all skill levels can enjoy the game. Older players may find gameplay a bit too simplistic and easy, but I enjoyed the simpler approach. Reading skill isn’t needed as the announcers explain all aspects of controls. Great for teaching youngsters the basic rules of baseball. Nicktoons MLB 3D is rated E for Everyone.

Tags: Game Reviews